OBA Elder Law and Family Law PROGRAM | Original Program Date: November 3, 2023

Our role as lawyers involves an understanding of the legal issues and how our clients are responding to the issues. Trauma-informed lawyering enhances the service provided to our clients and their overall well-being. It can also provide important insights into our own self-care as we navigate the practice of family and elder law. This program will provide you with a basic understanding of what trauma is, how to identify it, and how to mitigate its impact on the lawyer-client relationship. It will also provide best practices for a trauma-informed approach in these areas of law. Specific topics covered will include:

• Understanding PTSD: the brain, body, emotions, behaviour, connections, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout.
• What are the benefits of introducing a trauma-informed approach to your practice? What are some (avoidable) pitfalls?
• Checking in with yourself before and after you check-in with your client.
• The ABCs of Managing Secondary Trauma: Awareness, Balance, and Connection.

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Alex Procope, Perez Bryan Procope LLP
Maneesha Mehra, Carson Chousky Lein LLP

PROGRAM SPEAKERS

Gemma Smyth, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor
Dr. Anna B. Baranowsky, Traumatology Institute
Kavita Bhagat, Kavita V. Bhagat Family Law Solutions
Sonali Sharma, Athena Law