As an attorney, how often do you think about how a case impacts you mentally and emotionally? Do you take time to move beyond the outcome to consider how you may have internalized all that happened during the case?
From my experience, lawyers are focused on their clients and don’t often see the traumatic impact a case can have on their lives too.
This is called vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma is the experience of absorbing others’ pain in times of distress so deeply that it affects your well-being. People come to lawyers at some of the lowest points in their lives, so how would a lawyer not be impacted?
Michael J. Rourke, District Attorney of Weld County, Colorado was able to push aside the impact of his cases on his health for over 20 years – until he hit a breaking point. He will share his story and the steps he wishes he would have taken earlier in his career during the Commission on Professionalism’s annual Future Is Now: Legal Services conference, which will be held virtually on April 24, 2025. (You can register here.)
A ‘voice for the voiceless’
Rourke has referred to himself as a voice for the voiceless. He worked his way up in the District Attorney’s office, joining the office after law school and now holding its highest position.
In this role, Rourke has regularly prosecuted cases of murder, rape, and other gruesome acts. However, he never acknowledged or thought much about how the cases impacted him. While listening to and seeing images of unimaginable acts of violence was extremely difficult, he accepted it is part of the job and an attorney is supposed to be tough.
But what happens when difficult cases start to take a toll on the attorney? Rourke will share what happened the day the trauma he had been experiencing caught up with him.
After sharing his story, Rourke will be joined by Ellie Feldmann, a licensed clinical professional counselor, for a town hall discussion.
Feldmann will talk about what vicarious trauma is, the signs and symptoms lawyers should look for, and how attorneys can better deal with the impact of their intense careers.
Rourke and Feldmann will talk about how vicarious trauma can impact lawyers in all types of practice settings, not just prosecutors.
Register to learn more
Lawyers are not immune from the impact of vicarious trauma. Come and learn ways to skillfully navigate it at the Future Is Now: Legal Services 2025.
The virtual conference will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 12 to 4:30 p.m. CDT. Four hours of CLE is available for attendees, including 1 hour of diversity and inclusion CLE credit and 1 hour of mental health and substance abuse CLE credit.
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