Vicarious Trauma and Burnout in Law - Softcover

James, Colin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0367549115 ISBN 13: 9780367549114

Publisher: Routledge, 2025

Synopsis

This book integrates research on the causes, responses and protective strategies for vicarious trauma that are recognised in a range of human services and argues their relevance to the legal profession.

Examining related conditions that are common among lawyers - including burnout, compassion fatigue and secondary trauma stress – the text reveals how lawyers’ vulnerability to trauma is aggravated by stigma against mental health concerns in workplaces with poor leadership, weak supervision, and an adversarial “law-as-business” approach. The author proposes adaptions to legal education and practice management to help lawyers cope with stress and trauma, use their work experiences to improve their self-awareness, maintain their wellbeing, and ultimately to thrive in their work. Rich in evidence-based practices, strategies and tools, this book serves to help individuals, workplaces and law schools become trauma-informed.

An indispensable guide for lawyers, law firm managers and supervisors, as well as legal educators and students seeking to enhance their resilience, self-awareness and wellbeing in readiness for legal practice.

About this title

About the Author

Dr Colin James has qualifications in law, psychology, history, and education and is a Solicitor and Senior Lecturer ANU College of Law at the Australian National University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0367549115
• ISBN 13: 9780367549114
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 396