Trauma Informed and Respect-Based Approaches to Working with LGBTQIA+ Clients and Beyond – What All Lawyers Need to Know
Category: On Demand
Member Price: $200
Non-Member Price: $250
Areas of Law: Diversity, Equity Jurisprudence, LGBTQ Rights
Keynote
Moderator
- Lynda Hinkle, Esq.
- Law Offices of Lynda Hinkle, LLC, Turnersville
Presenters
- Jodi A. Argentino, MS, Esq.
- Ross & Calandrillo, Mountainside
- Leslie A. Farber, Esq.
- Leslie A. Farber LLC, Montclair
- Colleen McCafferty, Esq.
- Colleen M McCafferty Law LLC, Gloucester City
- Jill A. Roth-Gutman, Esq.
- Roth-Gutman Law, LLC, Voorhees
Presented in cooperation with the NJSBA LGBTQ Rights Section
For many clients, involvement in legal proceedings can be stressful, traumatic, and emotionally triggering. This is particularly so in matters of a deeply personal nature, such as family, civil, or estate litigation. These challenges may be even more pronounced for clients who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Research underscores the need for greater awareness within the legal profession. In a 2020 study conducted by the American Bar Association, more than half of LGBTQ lawyers surveyed reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace. Nearly 40% reported experiencing or perceiving subtle, unintentional bias, while more than 20% reported experiencing subtle but intentional bias. These realities highlight the importance of trauma-informed legal practice and the need to minimize the risk of retraumatization. LGBTQIA+ clients may face unique challenges, including misgendering, discrimination, bias, and other experiences that can affect their interactions with legal professionals and the justice system.
This program will provide attorneys with practical tools and insights for effectively representing LGBTQIA+ clients as well as insights for managing the trauma of being a member of the community while simultaneously advocating for the community. The presenters will begin with foundational concepts, including appropriate terminology, respectful communication practices, and an overview of the current legal landscape affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals in New Jersey.
The program will then explore the principles of trauma-informed representation, drawing on both academic research and real-world practice experience. Through practical guidance, case-based discussion, and broader reflection on the profession's responsibilities, participants will learn how to foster a more client-centered, respectful, and compassionate approach—not only for LGBTQIA+ clients, but for all individuals navigating the legal system.