Advocate Craft Podcast

Wes Taulbee spent much of his career as a hometown lawyer in Statesboro, Georgia where he enjoyed a broad legal practice. A couple of years ago, Wes joined forces with an old college buddy and formed a civil plaintiff's practice where he prosecutes multi-million dollar litigation for survivors of catastrophic injuries and the families of violent crime victims. The key to enjoying the practice of law, Wes says, is understanding your strengths and weaknesses and being part of a team that complements your litigation style. 

Plaintiff attorney Steven Lawrence works with clients suffering from catastrophic injuries, life-altering disabilities, and disfigurement. Steven says "dealing with the emotions of people who have been horribly hurt" is something most lawyers aren't prepared for, and he suggests legal teams should have dedicated advocates who can work with clients in crisis.  He also encourages lawyers to find healthy ways to deal with secondary trauma, including speaking with a mental health counselor.  

Attorney Karen Barth Menzies founded KBM Law so she could represent survivors of sexual assault with the personal attention she knew they deserved. Karen talks about the high-context client relationships required for effectively prosecuting sexual assault cases, and she discusses the concepts of compassion fatigue and secondary trauma that can impact plaintiffs' lawyers who care so deeply about their clients.