Lawyers regularly engaged with clients in crisis, yet few were trained to recognise the signs of trauma or understand its impact on communication, memory, and decision-making. The presenters offered practical insights into trauma and vicarious trauma, equipping lawyers with tools to manage difficult interactions and reduce the risk of re-traumatisation. Participants learned how to apply trauma-informed principles to enhance client engagement, improve outcomes, and support their own wellbeing. The session also included an introduction to culturally competent practice, highlighting the importance of cultural awareness to strengthen service delivery.
DETAILS
- This is an on-demand webinar you can watch at anytime - a link and password will be sent to you when you register
- Cost: Free for members
- CPD: Members will earn 1 CPD points in core area 3
- This event was recorded as part of the Law Week 22 May 2025
- This recording will expire on 31 March 2026
THE HON ROBERT BENJAMIN AM SC
The Honourable Robert Benjamin is a former Justice of the Family Court of Australia (2005-2021), Presidential Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (2005-2020). He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2022. He was one of the Commissioners constituting the Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings and currently serves as Tasmania’s first Child Safety Reform Implementation Monitor. Robert is also a former President of the Law Society of NSW, Chair of The College of Law and Chair of the Education Committee of the Family Court.
MICHELLE BENJAMIN
Michelle Benjamin is a Trauma Informed Practice (TIP) facilitator with the Child Wellbeing and Mental Health Unit for the NSW Department of Education. Michelle is also a Trauma Informed Practice Community of Practice Co-Ordinator (Sutherland Shire area) and worked on the TIP Disability Advisory Committee.
Michelle is also a qualified Dramatherapist and Counsellor having worked with children, nursing-home patients, First Nations people and service users attending outpatient hospital day programs, providing both individual and group therapy interventions.
Michelle has co-created and co-facilitated trauma-informed professional learning to the Judicial Commission of New South Wales and regional law society conferences.
KARINA OKOTEL
Karina Okotel is the Principal Lawyer at the Racial and Religious Discrimination Legal Service Inc. Karina has practiced for many years in the area of human rights in Victoria before relocating to Canberra. She is a past Victorian Co-Convenor of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and served on the Law Institute of Victoria’s National Human Rights Charter Consultation Committee.
Karina also lecturers at The College of Law and is the College’s Academic Secretary in addition to serving on its Academic Board.
Registration
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