Trauma-Informed Practices CLE

CLE Course Description

"Trauma-Informed Practices for Attorneys" is a 3-hour continuing legal education (CLE) webinar that is being offered on April 26, 2022 and again on May 17, 2022. 3.0 CLE credits, including 2.0 Bias Elimination and 1.0 Ethics, are pending approval in Minnesota and several other states. The course is being offered by EchionCLE.

The course will feature speakers Jennifer Blovitz, JD (former director of the Minnesota Office of Professional Responsibility); Katie Olson, JD (Mitchell-Hamline law school faculty); and Russ Turner, director of the People Incorporated Training Institute. The course was developed by Thomas James, Cokato Minnesota attorney at the Law Office of Tom James.

To learn more, visit the Course page.

Click here to register for the April 26, 2022 course.

Click here to register for the May 17, 2022 course.

Course Agenda and Faculty

This course is being offered on two different dates

April 26, 2022
May 17, 2022

The agenda will be the same on both dates. You may register for both courses if you wish; however, CLE credit may be claimed for only one of them.

Agenda

8:00–9:00 a.m.: Trauma-Informed Practice as a Professional Obligation (1.0 Ethics credit)

As attorneys, we often hear that the consequences of failing to develop a trauma-informed practice or to implement trauma-informed practices can be catastrophic. It is equally important, though, to understand why and what it means. In this course segment, a former OLPR senior assistant director and an attorney trainer with the Mitchell-Hamline trauma-informed advocacy program explain the critical importance of trauma-informed practice from the perspective of an attorney’s ethical obligations and the risk of exposure to professional liability. Information about trauma-informed training resources is also provided.

—Jennifer Bovitz

—Katie Olson

9:00–9:05 a.m.: Break

9:05–10:05 a.m. Understanding the Impact of Trauma (1.0 Elimination of Bias credit)

People Incorporated Training Institute director Russ Turner explains what trauma is and how it impacts those who experience it. In addition, attendees will learn how to identify office environments and staff and attorney behaviors that can have the effect of re-traumatizing and impairing communications with clients, even if unintentionally. Russ believes that adults learn best when they are challenged, the material is applicable to work situations, and sessions are interactive and engaging. He encourages but does not require attendees to interact with him during presentations.

—Russ Turner

10:05 – 11:05 a.m.: Developing a Trauma-Informed Practice(1.0 Elimination of Bias credit)

Russ Turner returns in this session to explain how to transform a practice from one that re-traumatizes, or risks re-traumatizing, clients into one that empowers while improving and enhancing relationships with clients. Russ is a dynamic speaker who encourages but does not require attendees to interact with him during presentations.

—Russ Turner

CLE credits:

Minnesota: 3.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 Ethics and 2.0 Elimination of Bias credits, have been applied for in Minnesota. (Standard CLE credit may be claimed for a course segment to the extent Ethics and Elimination of Bias credits are not needed.)

Arizona: The State Bar of Arizona does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the MCLE requirement. This activity may qualify for up to 3 hours toward your annual CLE requirement for the State Bar of Arizona, including 3 hour(s) of professional responsibility.

New Hampshire: Up to 3 CLE credits, including 2 Ethics credits, may be claimed in New Hampshire.

Other jurisdictions: CLE credit may be available in other jurisdictions. Check with the applicable continuing legal education authority. Updates will be posted here as they become available.

Faculty

Jennifer Bovitz, JD

Jennifer Bovitz is an attorney with Burke & Thomas PLLP. Her practice is focused on representing attorneys and other professionals in malpractice and licensing matters. Previously, she was a senior assistant director and managing attorney for the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility (OLPR).

Katie Olson, JD

Katie Olson is an attorney/faculty at William Mitchell School of Law. She spearheads the innovative Trauma-Informed Advocacy in Legal Systems Certificate Program there and is training director for the Zero Abuse Project. She is also a volunteer attorney for the Children’s Law Center, representing children in foster care in child protection cases.

Russ Turner, MA, MS

Director of the People Incorporated Training Institute. Mr. Turner has over 25 years of experience as a trainer. Over the past 14 years he has developed and taught training classes and workshops in a wide variety of subjects related to behavioral health including crisis de-escalation, understanding trauma, and trauma-informed practices. He has trained case managers, law enforcement, mental health professionals, social workers, addiction professionals, healthcare professionals, organizational leaders and others, and has consulted and coached on numerous mental health related training projects.

For more information, visit the EchionCLE Course page.

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