Be Present & Human—Insights for Trauma-Informed Lawyering

[Trigger alert: Trauma]

I can still remember the squeak of basketball sneakers on the TV when my brother got the call. I was 13.

Our mom had gone to help a neighbor move his mare and newborn foal. The neighbor’s wife said my mom had been hurt.

And we needed to come. Now.

The neighbor, inexperienced with horses, brought the panicked mare too close to my mom, who was guiding her foal. In her panic, the horse kicked my mom in the head.

When we got there, two firetrucks and EMS were on scene. A helicopter to air lift my mother to a major trauma center was on the way.

My mother was lying in the near-frozen March mud in the field, missing one shoe. EMS was working on her, but calling her by the wrong name. This I still remember, and always will.

The next hours, days, and months were terrifying. Along with other serious injuries, my mom suffered a major brain injury the size of a fist to her temporal and frontal lobes. Her life hung in the balance, and our family’s lives were turned upside down.

Watching her recover and navigate the legal and medical systems in the aftermath changed me, and my family.

Watching her do the years of work to train her brain to take over functions from the damaged parts was heroic and miraculous. (We have a joyful relationship still - photo for your pleasure.)

It also planted the seed for me to help those in need, and to understand the brain and how it can be trained and rejuvenated to help us live our best lives.

Today, as a coach, and speaker, I’m still driven by that desire to serve others.

That’s why I’m so happy to be sharing this latest episode of The Legal Athlete podcast where I am joined by trauma expert and licensed social worker Patty Montagnino.

Patty provides insights and shares practical tips on how trial lawyers can better understand and serve clients who have experienced trauma.

In "Be Present & Human—Insights for Trauma-Informed Lawyering," you’ll learn:

✅ What trauma really is—and how it manifests emotionally, mentally, and physically.

✅ How trauma shows up in the courtroom (and why it’s often misunderstood).

✅ Strategies to build trust and rapport with your clients for stronger cases and outcomes.

✅ The crucial role of self-care in your success as an advocate.

From this discussion, you'll understand that trauma isn’t just about what happened to your clients—it’s about what’s happening within them.

You'll learn how you can help your clients handle testifying in high-stress situations so you can get the full testimony you need to get them justice, and to regulate your own emotional state so you can support your clients most effectively.

Trauma-informed practice isn't just a fluffy tagline, and so many of our friends in LA are dealing with new trauma right now.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be a friend, but especially for any lawyer who wants to understand and advocate most effectively for their injured clients when their futures are on the line.

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Listen now to 🎧 The Legal Athlete Podcast: “Be Present & Human—Insights for Trauma-Informed Lawyering” on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. -------------------------------

I'm Jess Sargus. With 22+ years in law, business, and high-performance sports, I’ve battled, grown, and thrived in high-stakes environments, and mastered strategies for achieving peak performance just like champion athletes. Now, I bring those insights to help trial lawyers like you take your practice to the next level when it matters most, and feel great doing it. I help you become a Legal Athlete.

If you're ready for some extra clarity, support, and accountability to master your mindset and execute under pressure, or if you need a high-performance speaker for your group to inspire and energize your audience with high-impact, actionable tips they can start using immediately, DM me today on LinkedIn or grab a slot on my calendar to set up a free exploratory call to get started!