TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

4th Day of TBA Convention Focuses on Trauma, Neurodiversity, Bias

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jun 17, 2021
News Type: TBA Convention 2021

The fourth day of the TBA’s Annual Convention started with the Bench/Bar Program, produced by the Administrative Office of the Courts, which featured panels on how lawyers can protect their mental health when working with troubled clients, how neurodiverse people process information in different ways and often need accommodation from the legal system, and how bias affects the sentencing phase of criminal trials. The Bench/Bar Luncheon followed with remarks from Brandon Gibson, chief operating officer of the state, and Lang Wiseman, deputy and chief counsel to Gov. Bill Lee. They talked about how the state responded to the COVID-19 crisis and how the pandemic impacted the legislative process. The afternoon’s activities included the Better Right Now program, which focused on the harmful effects of stereotyping, discrimination, marginalization and microaggressions. The first panel focused on what bias is and how lawyers can help clients and colleagues who have experienced it. The second panel shared personal stories about their own experiences and how they responded to past offenses, including what they did to protect their mental health. The day wrapped up with a panel exploring how bar associations in the state are working to improve diversity in the profession and address racial and social injustice.

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