Let's talk about vicarious trauma
Thursday 5 September 2024
12.30 to 1.30pm
We explored the impact of vicarious trauma on people working in the legal sector.
This webinar took place on 5 September 2024
Vicarious trauma occurs when people are indirectly exposed to trauma through their work with those who have experienced traumatic events.
- In the legal sector this can happen to anyone who regularly deals with cases such as domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or other forms of trauma.
- Our specially invited webinar panel shared their perspectives and experiences, offering valuable insights into vicarious trauma in the legal sector.
- The panel was made up of Mary Jackson, Gillian Bishop and Sarah Le Fevre, and Nick O’ Neill is the chair. Read more about our panel here.
The webinar was an opportunity for you to enhance your understanding of vicarious trauma, its impact on mental health and learn about the ways you and your workplace can better support people who may be experiencing it.
Please note that this session was not recorded.
Meet the panel
Mary Jackson
Mary has had a diverse career, working as a teacher, solicitor, and Manager of the Law Society's South West Regional Office. Since 2008, she has been with LawCare as a training consultant, specialising in vicarious trauma. Mary is also a therapeutic counsellor and a full member of the BACP
Gillian Bishop
Gillian is a consultant at Family Law in Partnership. She is a founding member of the firm, setting it up in 1995 to provide a distinctive client focused family law service. As an experienced family lawyer, Gillian wanted to create a firm for clients looking for a holistic approach to their divorce. Gillian’s aim is to keep the family unit as amicably cohesive as possible. Gillian’s achievements in law – which include being named as a top-ranked family lawyer by leading legal directories such as Legal 500 UK and Chambers – are a result of her dedication to and knowledge of the profession, but it is her commitment to forming strong relationships with her clients that truly shines through.
Sarah Le Fevre
Sarah is a barrister with an extraordinarily diverse practice in the field of inquests and public inquiries, ranging from cases of many years duration and attracting national attention to the smallest, most intimate and individual of hearings. She advises and represents persons/core participants at all stages of the coronial/inquisitorial processes, and her expertise spans an unusually wide range of police, workplace, educational, medical, and church based inquests and inquiries. Sarah was appointed as Assistant Coroner in Gwent in February 2020 and in Devon in June 2023.
Nick O’ Neill (chair)
After a successful career as a litigation solicitor, Nick recognised that his real passion lay in people / operational management. Following the completion of his MBA at Nottingham Trent University, Nick moved into full time practice management in 2010. Nick has managed at three private sector law firms and spent five years as the Legal Governance and Practice Manager at Wirral Borough Council.
In January 2021, Nick moved to take on the role of Chambers’ Director at Oriel Barristers Chambers in Liverpool.
Nick is a Lawcare Champion and regularly speaks on the legal circuit on behalf of Lawcare, promoting the services that this amazing charity provides.
Nick is a qualified ILM coach and regularly coaches young lawyers to help them achieve their goals.
Please make a donation to LawCare when you book your place
We're thrilled that these webinars are so popular, with hundreds of sign-ups each time we run one.
When you sign up please boost your impact with a donation to LawCare. Every contribution plays a crucial role in helping us break down the stigma that still exists around seeking support for mental health concerns in the legal sector. Your contributions help us meet the increasing demand for our helpline, which provides emotional support from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
It is easy to donate when you book your place, or you can donate to LawCare here.
Please get in touch with us on [email protected] if you would like to talk to us about you can support our work, or you have any questions about the webinar.