Elimination of Bias: Trauma-Informed Lawyering as Bias Reduction — Applying Empathy to Reduce Bias in Legal Practice

A history of trauma can have long term consequences that affect the way individuals communicate, remember events, carry themselves, interact with their attorneys and appear as witnesses. This CLE explores how our role as attorneys requires that we learn to decipher ambiguous behavior and ask compassionate and understanding questions of these clients. We will explore trauma informed interviewing procedures to adopt practices that make space for our clients to tell their stories and feel heard. We will also discuss bias that can show up during the intake process, case development, and trial strategy. Finally, we’ll help participants understand how their ethical obligations require them to understand and employ trauma-informed practices as part of their professional competency and, in doing so, avoid further harm to their clients.

– Sarah MacGillis; Outreach Director, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers