Listening to Lawyers

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow shares her deeply personal story of loss, trauma, and resilience, offering valuable insights for legal professionals navigating emotional challenges in their careers. This episode explores trauma-informed judicial practices, self-care, and the importance of community support. Listening to Lawyers. ​Listening to Lawyers, an audio project of the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP), features Wisconsin Lawyers sharing personal stories of the unexpected challenges that have shaped them. Theirs are stories of struggle, resilience, persistence, and creative and brave navigation through challenging territory while lawyering.  The show is hosted by Amber Ault, Ph.D, MSW, manager for WisLAP. Chapters 00:00  Introduction to Listening to Lawyers 00:29  Meet Judge Jennifer Dorow 01:22  Personal Tragedy and Professional Impact 07:40  Navigating Roles: Judge, Lawyer, and Friend 11:51  Motherhood Amidst Grief 14:03  Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care 17:22  Lessons from Past Trauma 21:30  Supporting Colleagues in the Legal Community 22:48  Advice for Judges on Handling Trauma 26:30  The Importance of Debriefing 30:43  Conclusion and Call to Action

This conversation features former Wisconsin Governor Martin Schreiber discussing his experiences as a caregiver for his wife Elaine, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the disease, the need for caregivers to take care of themselves, and the role of community support. Gov. Schreiber shares insights from his award-winning memoir, "My Two Elaines," and highlights the emotional challenges faced by caregivers. He advocates for greater awareness and education about Alzheimer's to foster a supportive environment for both patients and caregivers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Alzheimer's Caregiving 01:27 The Journey of Caregiving: The Two Elaines 05:48 Living Our Best Life as Caregivers 12:01 Seeking Help: The Importance of Support 13:14 Understanding Alzheimer's: The Role of Caregivers 8:48 Making Alzheimer's a 'Chicken Casserole' Disease 21:10 Systemic Support for Alzheimer's Caregivers 25:56 Decisions in Caregiving: The Tough Choices 28:14 Awareness for Lawyers: Memory Issues 31:55 Conversations About Memory Loss 36:17 Public Awareness and Personal Processing

In this episode of Listening to Lawyers, a special project of the State Bar's Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program (WisLAP), attorney Aviva Kaiser shares her inspiring journey from a childhood in a Pennsylvania coal mining town to building a prominent and unconventional career in the legal field. She discusses her experiences with work-life integration, the importance of establishing guiding principles, and the challenges of balancing professional and family life. Aviva reflects on her activism and the role of law in her life, and offers valuable advice for future generations of lawyers, emphasizing the need for support and understanding in navigating the complexities of the legal profession.   Chapters 00:00  Introduction to Aviva Kaiser and Her Journey 02:17  From Coal Mining Town to Law School 04:37  Activism and the Pursuit of Justice 07:06  Navigating Work-Life Integration as a Lawyer 10:22  Establishing Guiding Principles for Life 15:25  The Role of Law in Personal and Professional Life 18:46  Creating Family Rituals and Quality Time 22:21  Living with Less: Prioritizing Family Over Wealth 25:07  Reflections on Career Choices and Regrets 29:29  Advice for Future Generations of Lawyers

In this episode of Listening to Lawyers, brought to you by the State Bar of Wisconsin's Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) and hosted by WisLAP Program Manager Amber Ault, join us for an inspiring conversation with Jennifer Lee Edmondson, a litigator and founder of Health Education and Welfare. Jennifer shares her personal journey through a stage four metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, her resilience, and the founding of her nonprofit to support those with lymphedema. Discover how her legal training helped her navigate this challenging path and the unexpected support she received along the way. Key Topics: Jennifer's cancer diagnosis and treatment experience The role of family and community support Founding a nonprofit to aid lymphedema patients Leveraging legal skills in personal health battles Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Lee Edmondson 00:47 The Diagnosis Journey 05:50 Navigating Treatment and Medical Team 11:35 Challenges of Chemotherapy 17:01 Support Systems and Community 23:02 Finding Hope and Remission 28:53 Creating a Nonprofit from Adversity 35:02 Legal Training and Personal Resilience 40:21 Unsung Heroes and Community Support

In this episode of Listening to Lawyers, trial attorney April Toy shares her personal journey with alcoholism and recovery. Growing up on a rural California farm, April faced numerous challenges before finding her path to law. She discusses her early experiences with alcohol, the tipping point that led her to seek help, and her journey through Alcoholics Anonymous. April emphasizes the importance of sharing her story to break the stigma surrounding alcoholism and hopes to inspire others facing similar struggles. Listening to Lawyers is a special project of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Lawyer Assistance Program (WisLAP). The podcast is hosted by WisLAP Program Manager Amber Ault. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Listening to Lawyers 00:29 Meet April Toy: A Journey to Law 12:16 The Role of Alcohol in April's Life 21:20 The Tipping Point: Acknowledging the Problem 30:17 Finding Recovery: The AA Experience 38:30 The Impact of Being a Lawyer on Recovery 39:52 Sharing the Story: Breaking the Stigma

In this opening episode of Listening to Lawyers, produced by the State Bar's Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program (WisLAP), attorney Lindsay Draper shares his journey through the legal profession, emphasizing the importance of lawyer wellness and mental health. He reflects on his upbringing, the influences that led him to law, and the challenges faced during law school. Lindsay discusses the critical need for self-care among lawyers and the impact of personal experiences on his commitment to supporting others in the legal community. WisLAP Program Manager Amber Ault hosts Listening to Lawyers. Key Takeaways The legal profession offers opportunities to help others. Personal experiences shape our professional journeys. Law school can be a challenging transition for many. Lawyer well-being is essential for effective practice. Self-care is not selfish; it's necessary for lawyers. Support systems play a crucial role in recovery. The lawyer wellness movement aims to prevent crises. Caring for oneself enhances the ability to care for clients. Personal stories can inspire change in the legal community. The impact of a lawyer can extend beyond the courtroom. Chapters   00:00: Introduction to Lawyer Wellness 01:24: Lindsay Draper's Journey to Law 08:09: Influences and Inspirations in Law 16:16: Navigating Law School Challenges 22:29: The Importance of Lawyer Well-Being 34:12: Personal Reflections on Self-Care