HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 30, No. 2 | Page 6

E D I T O R ’ S M E S S A G E Di n e e n Pa s h o u k o s Wa s y l i k – DP W Le g a l on Becoming a trauma-informed profession A a trauma-informed approach realizes the impact of trauma, recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma, responds by taking trauma into account when formulating policy, and avoids re-traumatization. s retired Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Lynn Tepper puts it, “once you see it, you can’t unsee it.” In editing this month’s articles, the big theme that jumped out at me was trauma, and the various ways we are working toward making our system more trauma-informed. A trauma-informed approach is evident in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s new A Slice of Mary Lee’s House waiting area for children (see page 14). Helping veterans recover from the trauma that leads to addiction, mental health struggles, and eventually crime is the impetus for our Circuit’s Veterans Court, highlighted in both the State Attorney’s column (see page 12) and the Senior Counsel Section’s article (see page 58). The Collaborative Law Section article focuses on a more trauma-informed path toward dealing with mental illness in family law situations (see page 26). Even the Community Services’ Committee’s Pirate Plunder Party (see page 28) is designed to help traumatized children. Those practicing family law, criminal law, or dependency are likely familiar with the move toward a trauma- informed approach, but those in other practices may be unaware of this important paradigm shift. A trauma- informed approach realizes the impact of trauma, recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma, responds by taking trauma into account when formulating policy, and avoids re-traumatization. 1 The Florida Supreme Court has adopted as a guiding principle in family law cases the continued on page 5 J. Logan Murphy Elected Chair of The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division congratulations to hcBa Member J. logan Murphy, who was recently elected chair of the american Bar association young lawyers division (aBa yld) for the 2019–2020 term. Murphy assumes the role of chair of the aBa yld following his service as secretary in 2017 and chair-elect in 2018. Murphy serves as the first chair from tampa in nearly 20 years; he is a shareholder with local firm hill ward henderson. among his responsibilities as chair, Murphy has committed to focus on priorities including mental health and wellness in the legal profession, law school debt and finance, innovation, and the future of the practice of law. 4 J. Logan Murphy NOV - DEC 2019 | HCBA LAWYER