"This book is packed full of once unmentionable subjects: The dangers of repeated emotional trauma, dissatisfaction and depression for lawyers; bullying and sexual harassment; burnout; and overwork as a cure for despair and low self esteem. Starting with trauma theory, Dr James unlocks the chest of antidotes that can help lawyers to survive and thrive. His checklists include self-awareness; the practice of mindfulness; kindness to oneself; and help to others struggling to survive in an inescapably noble but stressful occupation. Scientific studies are supplemented with practical techniques for coping with the trauma of life as a lawyer. In the silence and unspoken fears of my youth, I wish I had enjoyed access to this book."
The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, past Justice of the High Court of Australia
"This is a critically important well-being resource for law schools and the legal profession. All lawyers and law students should read it and learn from it – to support and protect their own well-being but also to ensure the future sustainability of the legal profession itself. Every law firm should have a copy and every law library should have multiple copies."
Dr Rachael Field, Professor of Law, Co-Director of Professional Legal Education, Faculty of Law, Bond University
"Based on meticulous and exhaustive research, Dr Colin James makes a powerful case for trauma-informed legal education and practice. Accessible yet erudite, grounded in theory but packed with immediately practical recommendations, Dr James’s work will become an instant classic in the field. … As a practitioner who has faced debilitating burnout and secondary traumatic stress and come out the other side, I find this book resonates in so many ways. It reinforces the basic impacts of trauma. It reminded me that what I faced was a normal reaction. And its proposed solutions are ones that work on the ground."
Virgil Wiebe, Professor, former Director of Clinical Education and co-founder of the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota
"Colin James has written an elegant and extraordinarily comprehensive study of the multiple ways in which trauma can impact lawyers and law students. As well as its sophisticated theoretical insights and real-life scenarios, the book contains practical suggestions as to how the negative effects of trauma might be mitigated."
Margaret Thornton, Emerita Professor, FASSA FAAL, ANU Public Policy Ffellow, ANU College of Law, Australian National University
"As a legal practitioner of more than 40 years standing, and who has worked in fields such as crime, family law, victims compensation and common law damages, I cannot recommend highly enough Dr James’ work on trauma-informed legal practice. In my opinion it should be compulsory reading immediately for all lawyers and law students. The knowledge gathered and presented by Dr James has implications of the highest gravity for our own individual well-being and for the well-being of our colleagues, particularly but not only those junior to us, and most especially our employees. Those who are employers or managers would appear to run significant financial risk if the potential impact of trauma associated with the legal workplace is ignored or minimised. Equally importantly we have an ethical and professional duty to prevent such impact. Donald Rumsfeld told us about unknown unknowns. Dr James’ work unravels the mystery. I was gobsmacked at almost every page. Five stars!"
Gary Fox, Principal, Attwater Solicitors, former President Newcastle Law Society
"To the extent that lawyers are a part of our planet's survival mechanism - through their struggling defence of a global rule of law - then Colin James'scholarship makes it clear that traditional Western legal education is no longer up to the task of nurturing those lawyers.
In his concise and extensively researched text, James identifies that law students cannot thrive and deliver justice unless they themselves are treated with care and compassion, challenged through powerful clinical methodologies, and encouraged to see legal practice as trauma-informed service, rather than a competitive race to conventional wealth.
James delivers contemporary justice to legal education. His work synthesises many scholars' insights and proposes specific changes, all of them achievable under enlightened law school deans. I hope this work is on the orientation list for all new law students, and especially their teachers."
Dr Adrian Evans, Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University
"Practicing lawyers seek continuing legal competence for their work, proud achievements, enjoyment, safe working environments, good health, fair remuneration and job satisfaction.
Why do so many fall so seriously short?
All law students and lawyers should study this book."
Hon Graham Mullane AM BA, LLM (Syd ),)MJS (Nevda & USA National Judicial College), former judge of the Family Court of Australia.
"All lawyers are at risk of danger to their mental and physical health caused by burn out, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma and/or vicarious trauma. This is particularly so for lawyers practicing in criminal, family, child welfare and migration law who work with traumatised clients. Dr James’ book is a timely and invaluable guide, covering trauma theory, strategies to mitigate trauma, trauma informed legal education, responsibilities of employers in government and private workplaces, and individual self awareness and coping mechanisms. In the not too distant past, those entering legal practice had to learn how to manage the effects of trauma without instruction or guidance from educators. More recently there has been a shift towards educating lawyers to understand and manage the effects of trauma. This book will equip new law graduates and lawyers with comprehensive information to do just that."
Georgia Seaton, Family Lawyer, former Family Court Registrar and Law Lecturer, former Associate to two judges at the Supreme Court of New South Wales
"Not only does this timely and important book explain why “few lawyers thrive”, it provides detailed and rigorously argued solutions. Greater understanding of trauma theory will lead to greater management of negativity and form the bedrock for positive coping. This is a brilliant resource for all those who educate, manage or work as members of the legal profession."
Caroline Strevens, Professor, School of Law, Portsmouth University
“This is a fascinating, meticulously researched, clear and accessible book which provides valuable insights for anyone with an interest in law student or lawyer mental health and wellbeing.”
Dr Emma Jones PFHEA, Senior Lecturer in Law, Chair of the Association of Law Teachers (UK), University of Sheffield.
"Finally a book that brings trauma theory to bear on the vexed question of mental health in the legal profession. This unique book countenances, openly for the first time, just how traumatising the law is, not only for clients, but for the lawyers who represent them in fields such as family, criminal and migration law and child protection. Colin James rethinks the mantra ‘think like a lawyer’ through a new trauma-informed lens to offer much needed space for self-compassion and self-awareness. The work delivers a long overdue prescription for how to create healthier legal workplaces."
Tony Foley, Emeritus Professor, Leader of the Transition to Practice Research Group, ANU College of Law, Australian National University
