The Westchester County Office of Assigned Counsel (OAC) recently conducted a virtual seminar aimed at addressing the trauma and stress experienced by attorneys representing clients in Criminal and Family Court. The event, titled “In Defense of Defenders: Understanding and Mitigating Burnout, Vicarious Trauma and Moral Injury,” sought to provide strategies for reducing the impacts of these stressors.
This initiative was developed in response to concerns raised by OAC attorneys who often deal with clients involved in traumatic situations. The seminar focused on identifying sources of trauma, building resilience strategies, and practicing mindfulness and breathing techniques.
The OAC collaborated with the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health and other community partners like the Westchester Library System and the Westchester County Bar to promote wellness among attorneys dedicated to justice throughout the county.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins praised the seminar as an example of effective collaboration within county departments. He stated, “The ‘In Defense of Defenders’ seminar is a great model of how the expertise of one County department can be utilized as a resource for the well-being and benefit of County employees in another.”
John Nonna, Westchester County Attorney, expressed pride in the county’s commitment to supporting its legal professionals. He remarked on his role in establishing an independent Office of Assigned Counsel, emphasizing that “DMCH’s presentation on understanding the trauma that comes from this type of work, and learning strategies for combatting burnout was on the mark.”
Stephanie Perez, OAC Administrator, highlighted that their objective was to focus on attorney wellness by providing resources for self-care. She noted that attorneys often absorb their clients’ trauma while delivering high-quality legal representation.
Andrew Bell, Ph.D., Program Director at the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, explained that defense attorneys face unique challenges due to vicarious trauma and job burnout. He hopes that exploring these issues will encourage attorneys to implement strategies discussed during the seminar.
