Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow shares her deeply personal story of loss, trauma, and resilience, offering valuable insights for legal professionals navigating emotional challenges in their careers. This episode explores trauma-informed judicial practices, self-care, and the importance of community support. Listening to Lawyers.

​Listening to Lawyers, an audio project of the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP), features Wisconsin Lawyers sharing personal stories of the unexpected challenges that have shaped them. Theirs are stories of struggle, resilience, persistence, and creative and brave navigation through challenging territory while lawyering.

The show is hosted by Amber Ault, Ph.D, MSW, manager for WisLAP.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Listening to Lawyers

00:29 Meet Judge Jennifer Dorow

01:22 Personal Tragedy and Professional Impact

07:40 Navigating Roles: Judge, Lawyer, and Friend

11:51 Motherhood Amidst Grief

14:03 Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care

17:22 Lessons from Past Trauma

21:30 Supporting Colleagues in the Legal Community

22:48 Advice for Judges on Handling Trauma

26:30 The Importance of Debriefing

30:43 Conclusion and Call to Action

This conversation features former Wisconsin Governor Martin Schreiber discussing his experiences as a caregiver for his wife Elaine, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the disease, the need for caregivers to take care of themselves, and the role of community support. Gov. Schreiber shares insights from his award-winning memoir, "My Two Elaines," and highlights the emotional challenges faced by caregivers. He advocates for greater awareness and education about Alzheimer's to foster a supportive environment for both patients and caregivers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alzheimer's Caregiving

01:27 The Journey of Caregiving: The Two Elaines

05:48 Living Our Best Life as Caregivers

12:01 Seeking Help: The Importance of Support

13:14 Understanding Alzheimer's: The Role of Caregivers

8:48 Making Alzheimer's a 'Chicken Casserole' Disease

21:10 Systemic Support for Alzheimer's Caregivers

25:56 Decisions in Caregiving: The Tough Choices

28:14 Awareness for Lawyers: Memory Issues

31:55 Conversations About Memory Loss

36:17 Public Awareness and Personal Processing

In this episode of Listening to Lawyers, a special project of the State Bar's Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program (WisLAP), attorney Aviva Kaiser shares her inspiring journey from a childhood in a Pennsylvania coal mining town to building a prominent and unconventional career in the legal field. She discusses her experiences with work-life integration, the importance of establishing guiding principles, and the challenges of balancing professional and family life. Aviva reflects on her activism and the role of law in her life, and offers valuable advice for future generations of lawyers, emphasizing the need for support and understanding in navigating the complexities of the legal profession.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Aviva Kaiser and Her Journey

02:17 From Coal Mining Town to Law School

04:37 Activism and the Pursuit of Justice

07:06 Navigating Work-Life Integration as a Lawyer

10:22 Establishing Guiding Principles for Life

15:25 The Role of Law in Personal and Professional Life

18:46 Creating Family Rituals and Quality Time

22:21 Living with Less: Prioritizing Family Over Wealth

25:07 Reflections on Career Choices and Regrets

29:29 Advice for Future Generations of Lawyers