Thriving in the Trenches: Overcoming Burnout for Immigration Legal Providers

Hosted on July 9, 2025, the training was delivered byKristen Nilsen, Mentoring Attorney, VECINA; Patty First, Executive Coach, Patty First Coaching, LLC and Chief Strategy & Impact Officer, Raben; Jori McChesney, LHMC, NCC, Psychotherapist, West Seattle Wellness; and, Kathy Purnell, JD, PhD, Director and Managing Attorney of Human/Civil Rights Law Center.

Working in a field where compassion meets complexity, immigration legal service providers often face relentless emotional and systemic pressures that can quietly build into burnout. In this roundtable, our panel of experts will dive deep into the realities of burnout among immigration legal service providers. We’ll explore the root causes that contribute to burnout and how to recognize early warning signs. We’ll also discuss tangible strategies at both the personal and professional levels to support sustained well-being. This roundtable will offer participants the opportunity to engage with our expert panelists through case scenarios and a Q&A session.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
– Explain general and current causes of burnout among immigration legal service providers
– Identify 12 warning signs of burnout for immigration legal service providers
– Apply organizational and personal strategies to minimize burnout and maximize personal well-being

Webinar

Webinar Slide Deck
Webinar Transcript