Professional Practice
Book Review
Helgi Maki, Marjorie Florestal, Myrna McCallum, and J. Kim Wright, Authors (American Bar Association)
The field of criminal law and justice is riddled with trauma, such as death, violence, sexual abuse, weapons, fear, and suicide. Most cases involve a traumatic event, and although some traumas are less severe than others, it may be the most traumatic event in one person’s life. Years ago, when trauma occurred, the focus was on the people directly involved and how to help those people recover from the impact of the traumatic event. Those most impacted were victims of crimes, their families, and their survivors. Rarely did it matter what, if any, impact the traumatic events had on the professionals involved, which often includes first responders, police officers, medical professionals, lawyers, and others who work in the legal system. Now, the legal profession is finally becoming aware of the impact that traumatic circumstances may have on the mental health of professionals. Trauma-Informed Law is a timely and wonderful practice guide that introduces our profession to the following concepts: how to recognize trauma and trauma responses in both clients and lawyers, provide and access support for legal professionals, effectively advocate for clients and victims, and ultimately trauma-informed lawyering. Precisely, this primer teaches the impact of trauma, how to respond, and how trauma-informed lawyering can help attorneys to best serve their clients’ needs.
Memoir/Nonfiction
Richard Zitrin, Author (Political Animal Press)
In this inspiring account of his captivating history of cases, renowned legal ethics professor and trial lawyer Richard Zitrin gives life to the law with his marvelous story-telling ability. The cases are grounded in injustice and unfairness, and they are certainly heartbreaking at times. The people he has represented have been victims of a racist system, unfair tactics, and abuse of power. But Zitrin’s passion for the path to justice and his ability to relate to people on the most basic human level, including those accused of heinous crimes, is incredibly compelling. Zitrin has a very honest voice, which is extremely relatable and enjoyable, and makes the recounting of his life’s work difficult to stop reading. He describes encounters with very unique people, bizarre facts, and issues presented in the cases, and he discusses the way that he has evolved over time both as a trial lawyer and as a human being outside of the courtroom. This book is not just for lawyers and those involved in the profession, but really for anyone interested in good stories about people, in the most basic sense. The stories are filled with lessons Zitrin has learned, not just about the law, but also about life, and how these lessons can help all of us become the best versions of ourselves.
Memoir/Nonfiction
Patricia Evangelista, Author (Random House)
Patricia Evangelista is an internationally renowned journalist best known for working and uncovering stories in dangerous conditions. Some People Need Killing is her first book, for which she traveled to the Philippines, her home country, to investigate, document, and ultimately fully expose the corrupt and brutal regime led by former President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte won the 2016 presidential election in a landslide, campaigning almost solely on a strong stance on the War on Drugs. On the very day he took office, killings of drug pushers, sellers, and users began. Evangelista’s brave reporting proves that police officers and vigilantes were instructed to kill their own associates, neighbors, and strangers suspected of dealing in drugs. There was no need for due process; charges need not be filed or proven at trial. A determination of an association with drugs was made, and swift execution, otherwise known as “extra-judicial killings,” took place. No investigation was required as to who committed these murders. The title of the book came from one of Evangelista’s sources, a self-described vigilante, who along with others firmly believed that some people needed killing, and they had a full governmental regime to support them.
Fiction
Michael Stockham, Author (Whistling Pigs Press LLC)
Inspired by actual events, this is the beautifully written story of a young attorney, Daniel Simmons, who struggles to balance his first law job with the responsibility of his young family. Neither one happens to be sailing smoothly, and he often feels like he’s drowning. As luck brings about an opportunity for him to be part of a major lawsuit, Daniel’s wife becomes desperate to expand their family, a decision that will risk her life and the family’s financial security. As tensions increase, Daniel experiences severe stress while he must represent an elderly inmate who has alleged wholly unfair treatment by a Texas prison staff, his wife is bedridden in a hospital maternity unit, and he is solely responsible for caring for his toddler daughter at home. At every given moment, Daniel is torn between where to focus his energy. This is the incredibly touching story of a lawyer desperately trying to save his family in crisis, while also trying to save the life of a dying man in prison. Facing an uphill battle against both the prison industry and medical industry, Daniel is met with obstacles that are, at times, simply insurmountable. This legal drama is an accurate representation of both the highs and the lows, the fears and the dreams, and the unwavering struggle of being caught in between one’s professional and personal life.
