Trauma

Shielding the Mind: How Mindfulness Practices Aid Lawyers Dealing with Secondary Trauma Stress

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MIAMI — The legal profession, widely recognized for its dedication to serving society, often deals with the high-stakes emotional and psychological well-being of its clients. As lawyers dive deep into complex cases involving conflict and trauma, their mental health can come under significant strain from what is known as secondary trauma. Recent initiatives by bar associations and law schools highlight an increasing focus on the mental wellness of legal professionals, emphasizing the importance of strategies to mitigate such occupational hazards. Secondary trauma, or compassion fatigue, describes the stress reaction that professionals experience when they are … Read more

Transforming Trauma into Tenacity: Attorney Alreen Haeggquist Discusses How Personal Challenges Propel Her Advocacy for Abuse Survivors

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Alreen Haeggquist, an attorney dedicated to advocating for abuse survivors, shared her personal and professional journey on the latest episode of The Jabot podcast, hosted by Kathryn Rubino, a senior editor at Above the Law. During the podcast, Haeggquist discussed her book “Fired Up! Fueling Triumph from Trauma,” where she describes how personal hardships propelled her into a legal career centered on compassion and advocacy. In an industry often dominated by cutthroat competition and rigid professionalism, Haeggquist’s approach to law is refreshingly empathetic. She emphasized the importance of sharing personal stories, not only as a … Read more

Landmark Study Seeks to Understand and Mitigate Trauma Experienced by Jurors in Child Abuse Trials

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Southampton, England – The psychological toll on jurors in child sexual abuse cases is coming under new scrutiny as a doctoral study at the University of Southampton seeks to explore the traumatic impact of their courtroom experiences. Jurors are frequently exposed to distressing testimony and evidence, which previous studies have indicated can lead to symptoms such as nightmares and intrusive thoughts. Stephen Hanvey, who is pursuing his PhD and has prior experience in court victim support services, is spearheading this initiative. His goal is to gather detailed insights from jurors to develop methods that minimize … Read more

$750,000 Verdict in Chicago School Beating Case: Jury Holds School Board, Teacher Responsible for Student’s Trauma

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Chicago, IL – A Chicago family has been awarded $750,000 in damages after their child was subjected to a brutal beating at school, which a federal jury found was exacerbated by negligent behavior from educational officials. The conclusion of this contentious civil trial brings to close a case that began with a disturbing 2018 incident at Tilton Elementary School, involing Jomaury Champ, a then 9-year-old student with ADHD. Champ’s ordeal started when his fourth-grade homeroom teacher, Kristen Haynes, permitted Juanita Tyler, a non-employee of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and an estranged relative unfamiliar to the … Read more