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A groundbreaking study of Wisconsin State Public Defender attorneys examines the effects of "compassion fatigue" – the cumulative physical, emotional, and psychological effects resulting from continual exposure to others' traumatic experiences. This article discusses the significance of compassion fatigue's effects, factors contributing to the risk any lawyer may face of experiencing its symptoms, and what can be done to mitigate it.

Health-care Reform: What You Should Know

Lawyers need to understand the effects of the 2010 Health-care Reform Law as they seek health-care coverage for themselves, their families, and their employees, and as they counsel their business clients.

Enhancing Animal Welfare Laws

2009 Wisconsin Act 90 bolsters Wisconsin's animal abuse and neglect laws by requiring dog breeders, animal shelters, rescues, and others involved in the care and custody of animals to obtain a license and meet state guidelines on animal treatment.

Choosing Our Judges: Wisconsin's Longstanding Debate

Recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election campaigns have focused attention on the methods by which the state's ultimate judicial arbiters are selected; but the debate is not a modern phenomenon.

Web Extras

Webxtra: The Toll of Trauma

The cumulative physical, emotional, and psychological effects resulting from continual exposure to others' traumatic experience – compassion fatigue – can put lawyers at risk. In this video, Deb Smith, SPD director of assigned counsel, and Linda Albert, State Bar WisLAP coordinator, discuss a groundbreaking study of State Public Defender attorneys. This study examines the impact of secondary trauma on lawyers who are continually exposed to others' traumatic experiences.

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

Inside the Bar
The Greatest Gift
When the human side of your work becomes too much, reach out to WisLAP.

President's Message
Mitigating Trauma's Effects on Lawyers' Lives
The State Bar's compassion fatigue study will result in tools to minimize members' risk.

Ethics
Ensuring Confidential Client Communications
When communicating by email, attorneys must consider the security of their own and their clients' computers and servers.

Managing Risk
Estate Planning Work – Not for the Timid
Litigation is becoming far more frequent in estate planning as the potential for third-party malpractice claims increases.