May 15 Sessions
-
Includes Credits
A lack of estate planning is exacerbating housing and economic insecurities in older marginalized communities. Studies show that the lack of estate planning is due to a perception that wills, and other wealth transfer devices, are only for the rich. This session will highlight a legal services estate planning model.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to know how the impact of dying without an estate plan is one of the driving factors contributing to the decrease in median wealth for older and underserved communities.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to understand person centered culturally informed strategies for working with older adult clients on estate planning issues.
- Upon completion, participants will know the most common esatate planning case types involved in a legal services estate planning practice serving diverse communities.
A lack of estate planning is exacerbating housing and economic insecurities in older marginalized communities. Studies show that the lack of estate planning is due to a perception that wills, and other wealth transfer devices, are only for the rich. This session will highlight a legal services estate planning model.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to know how the impact of dying without an estate plan is one of the driving factors contributing to the decrease in median wealth for older and underserved communities.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to understand person centered culturally informed strategies for working with older adult clients on estate planning issues.
- Upon completion, participants will know the most common esatate planning case types involved in a legal services estate planning practice serving diverse communities.
Anna Darr, JD
Estate Planning Attorney
Bet Tzedek
Anna Darr has been an Elder Justice and Holocaust Survivor Services Attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles for 10 years. Her work involves an array of elder law and poverty law issues, with a focus on estate planning and planning for incapacity and end of life. She works with clients to draft planning documents including advance health care directives, powers of attorney, and wills and trusts. Anna also presents on these topics to community members and professionals, highlighting the integration of person-centered trauma informed care. Anna co-created Bet Tzedek’s Decedents’ Estates Clinic in partnership with the Los Angeles Superior Court and continues to pursue equal access to justice for underserved vulnerable communities through advocacy and community partnerships. Before joining Bet Tzedek, Anna worked in civil litigation. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from SUNY Purchase, and her law degree from Southwestern Law School.
Erica Costello, JD
Associate Director
ABA Commission on Law and Aging
Erica C. R. Costello, JD, MA, NCG, is Associate Director at the ABA Commission on Law and Aging and has worked extensively on elder abuse and guardianship reform efforts at both the state and national level. Prior to joining COLA, she was the Director of Adult Protective Services for the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office in South Bend, Indiana, and worked as a Staff Attorney with the Adult Guardianship Office at the Indiana Supreme Court. She has a B.A. from Indiana University-Bloomington, a M.A. from Northwestern University, and a J.D. from Brandeis School of Law, at the University of Louisville, in Kentucky. In her current position, Erica provides substantive legal support and expertise in the areas of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, adult guardianship, supported decision-making, and access to courts. She is licensed to practice law in Indiana and is a nationally certified guardian.
Dominique Sanz-David, JD
Estate Planning Attorney
Bet Tzedek
Dominique Sanz-David has been an elder justice attorney with Bet Tzedek for 16 years, providing direct and self-help services to low-income, older, and vulnerable clients and their caregivers in the areas of elder abuse, estate planning, conservatorships, and probate. Through legal and legislative advocacy, community partnerships, and education, she develops and promotes policies that protect vulnerable Angelinos while preserving self-determination. In her pursuit to increase access to justice, Dominique co-created Bet Tzedek’s elder abuse program, decedents estate clinic, and estate planning practice. Prior to Bet Tzedek Dominique worked for the San Francisco Superior Court. Dominique earned her degrees from Pomona College and UC Law San Francisco.
Bertha Hayden, JD
Directing Attorney
Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Bertha Sanchez Hayden serves as a Directing Attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Bet Tzedek is a nationally recognized premier legal services firm in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Hayden currently oversees Elder Justice/Caregiver Direct Services & Access to Justice Programs. Ms. Hayden has dedicated her career in legal services to serving older and dependent adults and their caregivers navigate elder law issues. Current project highlights include launching the Leaving a Legacy program which provides complete estate planning services to residents living in the highest need areas of Los Angeles County and building a platform for self -help services. Ms. Hayden recently served as a delegate at the World Congress on Adult Capacity. In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed her to the Professional Fiduciaries Advisory Committee where she currently serves as chair. In 2023, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero appointed Ms. Hayden to the California’s Judicial Council Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee. Ms. Hayden is also stakeholder co-chair of California’s Elder and Disability Justice Coordinating Council (EDJCC) and chair of the EDJCC’s conservatorship workgroup.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
Learn about joint projects fostered by the AAA-ICDR Institute to explore real-world examples of how Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) can enhance access to justice. Gain insights into the AAA-ICDR Foundation's grant evaluation process and discover innovative ways ADR is being utilized to promote justice within and outside the court systems to make access to justice more equitable for self-represented, diverse populations.
- explain how courts can make access to justice more equitable for self-represented, diverse populations who are either required or offered the opportunity to use text-based court ODR for these cases.
- explain how courts can harness the work of the ODR Innovation Clinic in Massachusetts state court to other jurisdictions and adapt for legal issues for self-represented parties in family law.
- envision how innovative uses of ADR can further access to justice.
Learn about joint projects fostered by the AAA-ICDR Institute to explore real-world examples of how Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) can enhance access to justice. Gain insights into the AAA-ICDR Foundation's grant evaluation process and discover innovative ways ADR is being utilized to promote justice within and outside the court systems to make access to justice more equitable for self-represented, diverse populations.
- explain how courts can make access to justice more equitable for self-represented, diverse populations who are either required or offered the opportunity to use text-based court ODR for these cases.
- explain how courts can harness the work of the ODR Innovation Clinic in Massachusetts state court to other jurisdictions and adapt for legal issues for self-represented parties in family law.
- envision how innovative uses of ADR can further access to justice.
Jacqueline Harvey
Greg Kochansky
Vice President, Thought Leadership
American Arbitration Association
Greg Kochansky is Vice President, Thought Leadership at the American Arbitration Association. He is building the AAA-ICDR Institute, an internal think tank with focus areas including access to justice, court-connected ADR, and fairness in employment and consumer arbitration. The Institute also oversees the AAAiLab, where the AAA shares cutting-edge insights on the use of AI at the AAA and in ADR more generally. Before joining the AAA, Greg practiced complex commercial litigation and worked in corporate communications at a professional services firm. He holds a B.A. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Jennifer Shack, MA
Director of Research
Resolution Systems Institute
Jennifer Shack is Director of Research at Resolution Systems Institute. She has more than two decades of experience conducting complex evaluations of court-based ADR programs and researching the effectiveness of ADR in court settings. In addition to multi-site evaluations of foreclosure mediation and comprehensive evaluations of child protection mediations, she conducted two of the first evaluations of court-connected online dispute resolution programs in the United States. Her two latest projects include observation-based research of mediator behaviors that promote trust and conducting focus groups to understand how SRLs respond to court communications regarding ODR (OPEN Project) and the barriers to their engagement with court programs.
Tracey Frischt, JD
Executive Director and Division Vice President
AAA-ICDR Foundation and American Arbitration Association
As Division Vice President of Mediation, Tracey leads the American Arbitration Association’s mediation business. Prior to this role, Tracey was the Associate General Counsel for the American Arbitration Association involved in a variety of legal matters that impacted the Association. Tracey is the Executive Director and Grants Committee Chair of the AAA-ICDR Foundation. Tracey also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Pace University Law School teaching Commercial Arbitration Law and previously served as an adjunct Professor at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law supervising law student mediators. Tracey is a member of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York pro bono mediation panel specializing in employment discrimination cases, a member of the New York County Lawyers Association Part 137 Attorney/Client Fee Dispute pro bono mediation panel, and is a New York State certified community mediator. Tracey has mediated cases at many of Metropolitan New York’s community mediation centers, Small Claims and Civil Courts. Tracey has authored and spoken on numerous ADR focused topics. Tracey earned her law degree, cum laude, from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and B.A. from Tulane University, magna cum laude.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
Legal services can use AI to promote equity and justice by improving efficiency and accuracy. Maryland Legal Aid's recent adoption of an AI policy and the development of tools like mlaGPT can show how automation can streamline tasks, from document summaries to routine processes. This session will offer practical steps to implement AI while maintaining ethical standards.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the key considerations and processes involved in developing an AI policy for organizational adoption and explain how staff's AI usage can support professional development and continuous improvement.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the potential of generative AI for automating repetitive tasks by exploring real-world examples, including summarization, generation, analysis, and interaction with custom data sets.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss privacy, security, and ethical considerations when implementing AI to promote responsible and equitable use.
Legal services can use AI to promote equity and justice by improving efficiency and accuracy. Maryland Legal Aid's recent adoption of an AI policy and the development of tools like mlaGPT can show how automation can streamline tasks, from document summaries to routine processes. This session will offer practical steps to implement AI while maintaining ethical standards.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the key considerations and processes involved in developing an AI policy for organizational adoption and explain how staff's AI usage can support professional development and continuous improvement.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the potential of generative AI for automating repetitive tasks by exploring real-world examples, including summarization, generation, analysis, and interaction with custom data sets.
- Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss privacy, security, and ethical considerations when implementing AI to promote responsible and equitable use.
Russ Bloomquist
Program Manager & Senior Full Stack Developer
Maryland Legal Aid
Russ Bloomquist is a Program Manager & Senior Full Stack Developer at Maryland Legal Aid, specializing in software development, innovation, and automation. With over 25 years of experience in design and development, Russ has a proven track record of leading transformative technology projects that enhance access to justice. Russ developed a web-based expungement application for Maryland Legal Aid that enabled small legal teams and pro bono volunteers to host large-scale legal clinics by automating the analysis of records and generation of petitions. To date, the application has been used to generate over 130,000 petitions and documents. His contributions to application development, data collection/reporting systems, SMS integration, and timekeeping have also optimized service delivery, communication, and invoicing for the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance (MCLA), a subsidiary of Maryland Legal Aid. MCLA uses an application Russ developed to track upwards of 186,000 interactions annually across phone, chat, email, and walk-in services for self-represented litigants. Beyond development, Russ is an AI and data analytics mentor, training staff to leverage emerging technologies for greater impact. He has also chaired several committees, including a strategic planning committee, helping to shape the organization's long-term technological vision. Russ has extensive knowledge of data privacy and security, ensuring that the systems he develops adhere to best practices for safeguarding sensitive legal and client information. Through his expertise in software development, system design, data privacy, and data-driven decision-making, Russ continues to drive efficiency, automation, and innovation at Maryland Legal Aid and beyond.
Kristi Schulenberg, JD
Chief Operating Officer
Maryland Legal Aid
Kristi Schulenberg serves as Chief Operating Officer at Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) , where she spearheads operational initiatives that ensure efficient, high-quality legal support for underserved communities. With extensive experience in nonprofit management, Kristi has been instrumental in streamlining processes and implementing strategic improvements that enhance the organization’s service delivery. Kristi's commitment to social justice and operational excellence drives innovative solutions that expand access to vital legal resources, making a tangible difference in the lives of Maryland residents. Prior to MLA . Kristi served as Director of the Center for Capacity Building at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, providing training, legal and technical assistance, and tools to support organizations and public agencies in ending homelessness. Previous roles include assisting veterans experiencing homelessness through legal services, managing and evaluating multi-million-dollar HUD grants for a national nonprofit, and offering technical assistance to implement evidence-based practices in addressing homelessness. Kristi also served as executive director of a small nonprofit, worked in operations and administration for a large corporation, and acted as training director at Amnesty International USA. Kristi's affiliations include the State Bar of California and the District of Columbia Bar. Kristi hold's a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and a law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
Legal services organizations often have their own intake systems, making it confusing and time-consuming to find help. Maryland and Washington D.C. are improving this experience by coordinating intake for multiple organizations. Panelists will discuss the challenges and successes of developing and implementing these systems. In addition, panelists will share technology development and governance issues jurisdictions should consider when implementing a coordinated intake system.
- The session will highlight successes and challenges encountered in Maryland and Washington D.C., providing actionable lessons for jurisdictions looking to streamline legal services intake.
- Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to design and implement a coordinated intake system, including staffing structures, technology tools, and governance considerations.
- Participants will learn strategies for fostering stakeholder collaboration and ensuring confidentiality when sharing case information across multiple organizations.
Legal services organizations often have their own intake systems, making it confusing and time-consuming to find help. Maryland and Washington D.C. are improving this experience by coordinating intake for multiple organizations. Panelists will discuss the challenges and successes of developing and implementing these systems. In addition, panelists will share technology development and governance issues jurisdictions should consider when implementing a coordinated intake system.
- The session will highlight successes and challenges encountered in Maryland and Washington D.C., providing actionable lessons for jurisdictions looking to streamline legal services intake.
- Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to design and implement a coordinated intake system, including staffing structures, technology tools, and governance considerations.
- Participants will learn strategies for fostering stakeholder collaboration and ensuring confidentiality when sharing case information across multiple organizations.
Karen Wabeke, JD
Director of Special Programs
Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Karen Wabeke is the Director of Special Programs at the Maryland Legal Services Corporation. She manages grantmaking to civil legal services providers participating in several special programs including Maryland's Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) program. Karen is also responsible for overseeing implementation of multiple aspects of the ACE program, including a statewide coordinated intake system, statewide tenant outreach and education, and program evaluation. Karen joined MLSC in March 2022 after 10 years with the Homeless Persons Representation Project, serving as a staff attorney, supervising attorney, and director of housing justice. In the latter role, she oversaw HPRP's eviction prevention legal services for tenants in Baltimore City. Prior to HPRP, Karen served as an AmeriCorps attorney with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality and in private practice in Toledo, Ohio. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and the University of Michigan Law School.
Kirra Jarratt, JD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
DC Bar Foundation
Kirra Jarratt is the CEO of the DC Bar Foundation, the District's leading funder of civil legal aid with a commitment to transforming the District's legal aid network so that all residents have a fair and equal legal experience. She has served in this capacity since 2014. Under her leadership, the Foundation has spearheaded the development of DC's first coordinated intake and referral system, with the goal of making it easier for DC residents to navigate the 50+ legal aid organizations offering services. This initiative included conducting a comprehensive landscape analysis, publishing a concept paper, and implementing an extensive community feedback process to ensure transparent, community-centered design. The system launched its pilot phase in June 2024, with full implementation planned for Fall 2025. Before joining the Foundation in 2014, Ms. Jarratt worked on the Hill, co-founded a law practice, served as agency counsel within the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia, and lobbied on behalf of the American Bar Association. Ms. Jarratt is an active volunteer as well. She is a past president of "GWAC" (an affiliate chapter of the National Bar Association), a past President of the Women's Bar Association Foundation, and a former board member of the DC Bar Board of Governors, the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, and the Washington Improv Theater. She is a member of Leadership Greater Washington, and the Washington Business Journal recognized her as one of their Women Who Mean Business in 2019. Ms. Jarratt received her BA from Harvard, her JD from the University of Michigan, and her Executive MBA from MIT. She is a member of the DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania Bars. She lives in Washington, DC.
Sarah Coffey Bowes
Executive Director
Civil Justice, Inc.
Sarah Coffey Bowes, Esq. is a veteran non-profit manager with a strong background in programmatic growth, sustainability, and strategic planning. Sarah supervised the operation and continuous expansion of the award-winning Maryland Courts Self-Help Centers - a network of legal service centers operated via a contract between the Maryland Judiciary and Maryland Legal Aid’s subsidiary, the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance. Under her leadership, Maryland’s self-help centers grew from an experimental, pilot program to a robust, statewide network of 6 offices serving more than 80,000 Marylanders yearly. Since joining Civil Justice, Inc in November 2019, Sarah has led the development of two new technology platforms including the Coordinated Intake System for Access to Counsel in Evictions and, through the Maryland Judiciary's Access to Justice Department, the award-winning Maryland Justice Passport. Additionally, she has led the dramatic expansion of Civil Justice's Economic Justice Program and is currently launching the Legal Clinic for Small Businesses in collaboration with the Maryand State Bar Association. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law where she received the Ward Kershaw Award for Client Advocacy.
Ashley Graham-Watanabe, JD
Director of Compliance
Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia
Ashley is currently the Director of Compliance at NLSP but since her start in 2014, she has held various positions, from staff attorney to Managing Attorney for the Brief Services Unit. In her role as Director of Compliance, Ashley is responsible for making sure all cases are opened, processed and closed according to federal and program guidance. Ashley is also responsible for planning, upkeep and management of NLSP's case management system. Prior to working for NLSP, Ashley was an attorney for 4 years with Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, where she was a general practitioner, practicing in family, housing, consumer and public benefits. She also worked as a clerk at Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Ashley received her J.D. from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and graduated in 2010 with a specialty in advocacy and dispute resolution. She also received her B.A. in music from Appalachian State University. Ashley can be reached by phone at, 202-849-8331, or via email to, AGraham@nlsp.org.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
.
.
.
.
Michelle Garcia, Juris Doctorate
Deputy Director
New Mexico Legal Aid
Michelle Garcia J.D. (she/her/ella) is the Deputy Director of New Mexico Legal Aid. She is a graduate of Loyola University who is admitted to the New Mexico Bar, the Navajo Nation Bar, the State Bar of Louisiana, the Pueblo of Pojoaque and the Federal District Court of New Mexico. After graduating from law school, Michelle worked as a prosecutor for the State of New Mexico and law clerk to the Chief Justice . After joining New Mexico Legal Aid in 2018 she became the managing attorney for Safe to Be You, New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ legal access program for rural and indigenous communities and in 2020 the manager of the regional offices in Northern New Mexico. She works in the area of civil rights, violence, rural accessibility and LGBTQ+ discrimination.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
You must log in to register
-
Includes Credits
Supervisors can be reticent to provide feedback employees need to improve their work and the quality of their organization's legal services. This session will provide attendees with actionable and specific tips, tools, and a structure for adequately training and supporting supervisors to provide effective feedback delivery within their organizations.
- Participants will learn multiple techniques be able to effectively provide constructive feedback, with the goal of avoiding poor performance issues, and how to identify and address poor performance.
- Participants will learn four strategies to provide organizational support to supervisors to deliver effective feedback.
- Participants will learn how to develop a culture of trust within their organization to support constructive feedback and employee development.
Supervisors can be reticent to provide feedback employees need to improve their work and the quality of their organization's legal services. This session will provide attendees with actionable and specific tips, tools, and a structure for adequately training and supporting supervisors to provide effective feedback delivery within their organizations.
- Participants will learn multiple techniques be able to effectively provide constructive feedback, with the goal of avoiding poor performance issues, and how to identify and address poor performance.
- Participants will learn four strategies to provide organizational support to supervisors to deliver effective feedback.
- Participants will learn how to develop a culture of trust within their organization to support constructive feedback and employee development.
Maggie Robb, Esq.
Chief Legal Office
Empire Justice Center
Maggie R. Robb, Esq., is the Chief Legal Officer of Empire Justice Center where she oversees the legal practice, compliance, human resources and serves as general counsel to the organization. She is also a member in the Civil Rights Practice Group where she primarily focuses on impact litigation on behalf of students with disabilities and matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act. Maggie joined the organization in 2012 after several years of private practice where she focused on general civil litigation. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York and admitted to practice in the U.S. Western District of New York. Ms. Robb is an active member of the Monroe County Bar Association having served in multiple rolls over the years including, former MCBA Foundation Board President and current member, MCBA President’s Commission on Anti-Racism, MCBA Board of Trustees, and MCBA Lawyers for Learning, MCBA By-Laws Committee and former member and chair of the MCBA Memorial Committee. Maggie is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Dayton School of Law. Outside of work, Maggie and her golden retriever, Callie, volunteer with ROC Dog, a Rochester, New York based therapy dog organization that brings comfort, assistance, and joy to people in their community.
Melinda Fithen
Litigation Director
Empire Justice Center
Melinda Fithen is the Litigation Director and a member of the Civil Rights Practice Group at Empire Justice Center. Melinda directs and advances the organization’s mission through impact litigation and provides technical assistance, co-counseling, training and strategic support to staff on litigation and systemic advocacy as well as emerging legal advocacy approaches. Melinda also represents clients directly in class actions and individual cases in various civil rights matters, including discrimination in schools, LGBTQ+ rights, and disability rights. Prior to joining Empire Justice Center, Melinda worked in private practice handling a broad array of complex civil matters in state and federal courts nationwide. During that time, Melinda’s pro bono and volunteer contributions included service on the Executive Committee of the Board of TurnAround, Inc., Baltimore’s rape crisis center and service provider to survivors of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence; pro bono representation of minor children in immigration proceedings with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND); development and pro bono work for Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service; and service as a Wingman for Athletes Serving Athletes. Melinda is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
Matthew Canuteson
Matt Canuteson is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Director at Empire Justice Center in New York State. Proudly leveraging his experience as a person of color on a lifelong wellness journey, Matt’s drive comes from his gratitude that he has succeeded despite challenges. Because of this, he has diligently dedicated his career to equity and fairness and ensuring that New York's most vulnerable individuals and families have an equal shot at success. After graduating from SUNY Albany as a Spellman Achievement Awards winner (Political Science), Matt earned his MA in Social and Public Policy from Empire State College. He then became the Policy Director at the New York Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. In this role, Matt ensured that New York's policymakers heard and understood the voices of people experiencing behavioral health challenges. Leading and contributing to many successful advocacy campaigns to sustain or protect community mental health funding and service access in marginalized communities, Matt was also instrumental in advocacy efforts to protect the rights of individuals in New York’s behavioral health system. Matt's career then included working at the national level for over a decade, contributing to or leading the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), which funded criminal justice, equity, homelessness, and access to public benefits projects. Matt worked to include the health equity lens in all projects he led or participated in and was recognized in 2014 as a SAMHSA Voice Award winner. Matt joined the Office of Mental Health in 2018 as the Agency's first Chief Diversity Officer. Coordinating all agency activities related to workforce diversity, inclusion, and the elimination of disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for marginalized populations - Matt provided leadership as the Agency responded to embedded disparities in COVID-19 mitigation, the murder of George Floyd, and tragedies such as the May 14, 2022, racially motivated mass murder in Buffalo New York. Additionally, Matt’s leadership was instrumental in raising the bar in how the Agency collected and used disparities data to influence how the Agency funds, oversees, and regulates New York’s mental health system. In his current role as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Director at Empire Justice Center, Matt leads the organization's efforts to ensure a diverse and inclusive work environment and provides expert policy consultation on issues related to providing civil legal services to New York’s special populations.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
Talking about money can be tough! This session delves into the intersection of pro bono work and charitable giving at law firms. Participants will discuss strategies to enhance impact, including meaningful partnerships, innovative post-pandemic fundraising modalities, and collective action to advance access to justice for underserved communities.
- Participants will explore the intersection of charitable giving and pro bono work as it pertains to law firms and legal services organizations.
- Participants will develop skills for effective collaboration with peers in the private and public sectors.
- Participants will examine the intersection of charitable giving and pro bono work, focusing on metrics related to philanthropy.
Talking about money can be tough! This session delves into the intersection of pro bono work and charitable giving at law firms. Participants will discuss strategies to enhance impact, including meaningful partnerships, innovative post-pandemic fundraising modalities, and collective action to advance access to justice for underserved communities.
- Participants will explore the intersection of charitable giving and pro bono work as it pertains to law firms and legal services organizations.
- Participants will develop skills for effective collaboration with peers in the private and public sectors.
- Participants will examine the intersection of charitable giving and pro bono work, focusing on metrics related to philanthropy.
Diego Cartagena, JD
President & CEO
Bet Tzedek
Diego Cartagena is the President & CEO of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a legal services agency founded by members of the Jewish community nearly 50 years ago and dedicated to providing free legal services to low-income individuals in Los Angeles County. Diego joined Bet Tzedek in 2012 as Director of Pro Bono Programs and was promoted Vice President of Pro Bono in 2015. In 2017, Diego became Bet Tzedek’s Vice President of Legal Programs and helped launch several of the organization’s exemplary programs, including the Preventing & Ending Homelessness Project, Family Preparedness program, Harbor UCLA Medical-Legal Partnership, and Small Business Development Project. Diego assumed the position of CEO in 2020. Diego received his BA and J.D. from UCLA.
Marnie Berk, JD
Director of Pro Bono Programs
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
Marnie Berk, Director of Pro Bono Programs, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) Marnie Berk is the Director of Pro Bono Programs at NYLPI where she runs the organization’s Pro Bono Clearinghouse. Through partnerships with the private bar, she connects New York’s best legal talent with the most effective nonprofits working on behalf of underserved communities across the city. Before joining NYLPI, Marnie was previously a corporate associate at Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison and Hogan Lovells. She served as a Program Director for Safe Horizon and as a Program Director for Homes for the Homeless. She is a graduate of Hampshire College and CUNY Law School. Marnie has sat on the boards of several nonprofits and is currently on the board of the Shomer Collective.
Molly Meltzer, JD
Director, Pro Bono
Brooklyn Defender Services
Molly Meltzer is the Director of Pro Bono at Brooklyn Defender Services ("BDS") which provides holistic defense and an interdisciplinary framework in the areas of criminal defense, family defense, immigration, and civil matters. In her role as Director of Pro Bono she develops and manages the organization's pro bono program across all practices with the goal of leveraging resources for the clients and communities BDS serves. Molly is also the Training Manager on the adolescent team at BDS representing adolescent offenders in criminal and family courts. Prior to working in the pro bono sphere, Molly worked as a juvenile defender at the Legal Aid Society and as an attorney in BDS' Family Defense Practice. Molly was one of the creators of Pando a national pro bono conference. She has spoken on the topics of the role of the attorney for the child; representing teen parents and best practices in pro bono. In 2018, Molly was Director of Pro Bono at Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles, a large civil legal aid organization. Molly is a graduate of Tufts University and American University, Washington College of Law.
Ben Weinberg
Pro Bono Partner
Dentons
As Pro Bono partner, Ben Weinberg works with Dentons' Global and US Pro Bono Committees and with firmwide and regional leadership to manage the Firm's substantial pro bono program.
In addition, Ben helps develop new pro bono initiatives with legal aid providers, nonprofits and NGOs. He encourages and facilitates pro bono participation across Dentons and helps firm lawyers establish pro bono practices that complement and expand their billable practices. Ben also helps develop and support pro bono and community service partnerships with Dentons' clients. Ben frequently presents at leading pro bono conferences, including the PILnet European Pro Bono Forum, the Pro Bono Institute's Annual Conference and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association's Equal Justice Conference. He also co-teaches a seminar at Northwestern Law School on pro bono in large law firms.
-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
Charlotte law firms built CLIMB (Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses) to enable pr bono lawyers to aid marginalized and under resourced small businesses owners and entrepreneurs with free legal services. CLIMB especially provides opportunities for transactional attorneys - who balk at litigation-oriented work - to engage in significant pro bono assistance.
- Implement a pro bono program to assist under served entrepreneurs and small business owners in getting legal advice and representation from business lawyers.
- Provide opportunities for transactional attorneys- specifically, corporate and business-oriented attorneys who are not litigators- to perform pro bono work within their areas of expertise.
- Aid historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in getting access to legal representation and forms of social capital in combating generational poverty.
Charlotte law firms built CLIMB (Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses) to enable pr bono lawyers to aid marginalized and under resourced small businesses owners and entrepreneurs with free legal services. CLIMB especially provides opportunities for transactional attorneys - who balk at litigation-oriented work - to engage in significant pro bono assistance.
- Implement a pro bono program to assist under served entrepreneurs and small business owners in getting legal advice and representation from business lawyers.
- Provide opportunities for transactional attorneys- specifically, corporate and business-oriented attorneys who are not litigators- to perform pro bono work within their areas of expertise.
- Aid historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in getting access to legal representation and forms of social capital in combating generational poverty.
Julian Wright Jr., JD/M Div
Shareholder
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, PA
Julian Wright practices in the areas of employment law, business litigation, and government and internal investigations. In employment law, he provides counseling and litigation guidance to employers and executives around the country. Julian's experience includes contract negotiation, day-to-day advice on employment matters, and litigation in the Southeast and nationwide about discrimination, harassment, noncompetition covenants, trade secrets, and wrongful termination matters. As a business and commercial litigator, Julian assists clients with disputes over breaches of contract, shareholder rights, business valuations, landlord-tenant issues, unfair competition, and securities matters. He regularly litigates in North Carolina’s Business Court, state courts around the country and extensively in the federal court system. Julian also represents clients in SEC, DOL and other government investigations. In addition, he has successfully conducted multiple internal investigations for clients involving employment, securities and other issues. Julian earned his AB in History from Davidson College. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Vanderbilt Law Review while getting his JD from the Vanderbitl Law School, and he also graduated as the Founder' Medalist when earning his M.Div. from the Vanderbilt Divinity School. Julian is a certified Superior Court mediator. He regularly represents houses of worship in disputes in various tribunals. Julian also maintains an active pro bono practice, including in the area of criminal post-conviction work, and he is Robinson Bradshaw’s director of pro bono services.
Casey Burke, Esq
Executive Director
Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses, Inc. (CLIMB)
Casey Burke, Esq. is the Executive Director of CLIMB, or Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses, Inc. Casey is passionate about bringing the legal community together to address systemic inequalities and effect long term change. In Charlotte, access to legal services can be the key to a small business’s success and sustainability, yet legal services are financially unattainable for many. This is especially true for historically marginalized small business owners living and working in underserved areas, who often are left with no choice but to build their businesses without any input from an attorney, leaving them vulnerable and more likely to struggle to succeed. CLIMB provides a way for traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs to overcome access to justice barriers in order to create thriving, sustainable, and vibrant businesses within a more equitable community. Casey earned her Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law in 2008, and her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Virginia in 2002. She spent over a decade as a criminal defense attorney, primarily in the Bronx, New York, which was critical in shaping her views on social justice issues, particularly issues of racial inequity in the legal system. Prior to joining CLIMB, she ran the Pro Bono Unit of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, a civil legal services organization in Charlotte, NC.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
This session will explore the vital role libraries play in addressing legal inequities through partnerships with legal aid organizations and pro bono initiatives. By leveraging library resources, these collaborations empower underserved communities, provide legal information, and support attorneys. Attendees will learn about successful projects, strategies to engage volunteers, and innovative ways to increase access to justice. Participants will gain actionable insights on creating impactful, sustainable partnerships to serve diverse client needs.
- understand the role of libraries in enhancing access to justice, recognize how libraries serve as vital community hubs for legal information, support pro bono efforts, and address challenges faced by underserved populations.
- explore successful collaboration models and best practices, including tools and strategies for building sustainable programs that engage both legal professionals and marginalized communities.
- develop actionable strategies for launching partnerships and gain practical insights and resources for initiating and sustaining collaborations between libraries, legal aid organizations, and pro bono attorneys to expand access to justice.
This session will explore the vital role libraries play in addressing legal inequities through partnerships with legal aid organizations and pro bono initiatives. By leveraging library resources, these collaborations empower underserved communities, provide legal information, and support attorneys. Attendees will learn about successful projects, strategies to engage volunteers, and innovative ways to increase access to justice. Participants will gain actionable insights on creating impactful, sustainable partnerships to serve diverse client needs.
- understand the role of libraries in enhancing access to justice, recognize how libraries serve as vital community hubs for legal information, support pro bono efforts, and address challenges faced by underserved populations.
- explore successful collaboration models and best practices, including tools and strategies for building sustainable programs that engage both legal professionals and marginalized communities.
- develop actionable strategies for launching partnerships and gain practical insights and resources for initiating and sustaining collaborations between libraries, legal aid organizations, and pro bono attorneys to expand access to justice.
Karen Westwood, JD
Law Library Director
Hennepin County Law Library
Karen Westwood is Director of the Hennepin County Law Library in Minneapolis, MN. Her background is in law firm, government and academic law libraries. She also practiced law for a short time doing corporate and securities work. She has a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law) and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois.
Pauline Afuso, MLS, JD
Public Services Librarian
Alameda County Law Library
Pauline Afuso is the Public Services Librarian for the Alameda County Law Library, and she provides reference services to self-represented litigants and all patrons needing legal information. She received her MLS from UCLA, and her JD from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. In addition to working in county law libraries for the past 12 years, she also was a product developer at Thomson Reuters and oversaw the development, release, and maintenance of several research features for westlaw.com. She spends her free time experimenting with recipes on the NY Times Cooking App and listening to Minnesota Wild hockey games on the radio.
Stephanie Beaugh, JD
Access to Justice Projects Counsel
Louisiana State Bar Association
Stephanie Beaugh, Access to Justice Projects Counsel at the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA), serves as staff liaison to the Self-Represented Litigation, Technology, and Accessibility Committees of the Access to Justice Commission. In this role, she also manages the Lawyers in Libraries and Law Talks programs and provides support for the Legal Help Access Points. A proud native of New Orleans, Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Criminal Justice minor from Loyola University New Orleans. Before attending law school, she gained over nine years of experience as a legal assistant at a small litigation firm. Stephanie earned her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where she contributed to the Loyola Law Review, publishing two articles and serving as a Casenote/Comment Editor. She was also an active Moot Court staff member. After passing the Louisiana Bar Exam, she clerked for nearly four years at both Orleans Parish Civil District Court and Louisiana's Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. Before joining the LSBA’s Access to Justice team in 2020, Stephanie served as the Program Director at Louisiana Appleseed, managing various projects and volunteers. Outside of her professional work, she is an active member of the National Lawyers Guild and the League of Women Voters. She has a long history with the New Orleans Krewe of Orpheus, having served as a Lieutenant for 15 years, and volunteers with New Orleans Bulldog Rescue and other animal rescue organizations.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
-
Includes Credits
This session will identify the structural challenges incarcerated parents face when trying to connect with their children, introduce the myriad ways the legal field can provide support to these parents in civil proceedings, and provide practical tips for participants to better support incarcerated parents and their children.
- Participants will learn about the collateral consequences of incarceration on families, including loss of parental rights, and will understand that there is virtually no help for these parents and their children
- Participants will gain an understanding of the various delivery models all nonprofits (including LSC-funded) and pro bono volunteers can utilize when providing legal assistance to incarcerated parents.
- Participants will hear from lawyers at three different organizations in three different states, about their work and practical tips and methods to start engaging in this critical work.
This session will identify the structural challenges incarcerated parents face when trying to connect with their children, introduce the myriad ways the legal field can provide support to these parents in civil proceedings, and provide practical tips for participants to better support incarcerated parents and their children.
- Participants will learn about the collateral consequences of incarceration on families, including loss of parental rights, and will understand that there is virtually no help for these parents and their children
- Participants will gain an understanding of the various delivery models all nonprofits (including LSC-funded) and pro bono volunteers can utilize when providing legal assistance to incarcerated parents.
- Participants will hear from lawyers at three different organizations in three different states, about their work and practical tips and methods to start engaging in this critical work.
D'Adre Cunningham, JD
Incarcerated Parents Project Resource Attorney
Washington Defender Association
D’Adre Cunningham (she/her), Washington Defender Asssoication's Incarcerated Parents Project Resource Attorney D’Adre is currently the Incarcerated Parents Project attorney at Washington Defender Association in Seattle, Washington. She formerly served clients for 15 years as a public defender at The Defender Association and its division of the King County Department of Public Defense. She spent five of those years as an Attorney Supervisor in the Dependency (or Family Defense) Unit. Her other legal experience includes representing children, youth, and parents in King County dependency court proceedings; defending children and youth in King County Juvenile Court criminal proceedings; defending indigent adults in Seattle Municipal misdemeanor proceedings & in King County Superior Court felony proceedings; and advocating for systemic reforms at The Racial Disparity Project. D’Adre is an alumna of the University of Washington School of Law. D'Adre is currently a member of Washington State Interpreter & Language Access Commission and has participated in the Children's Representaiton Standards workgroup for the Commission on Children in Foster Care.
Stephanie Taylor, JD
Project Director, Incarcerated Mothers Law Project
Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS)
Stephanie Taylor Project Director, Incarcerated Mothers Law Project, VOLS staylor@volsprobono.org; (347) 521-5735 Stephanie Taylor joined Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) in April 2021 as Project Director of the Unemployed Workers Project. In June 2022, she relaunched VOLS’ Incarcerated Mothers Law Project as the newly-minted Project Director. As Director, Stephanie has rebuilt the IMLP in a trauma-informed, holistic manner. She oversees and mentors all IMLP cases and organizes legal clinics at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and Taconic Correctional Facility. She has in the process of setting up a state-wide network of family law practitioners for referrals. Stephanie started her career at Legal Services for the Hudson Valley providing general practice legal services in their Elder Law Unit. She then moved to Queens Legal Services as a Staff Attorney in the Domestic Violence (DV) & Family Law Project. In 2012, Stephanie became the Deputy Director of both the DV & Family Law Project and the newly-formed Immigrant Rights Project. In 2015, she became the Director of the Immigrant Advocacy Project. In 2018 she joined Brooklyn Legal Services as the first Director of their Immigrants’ Rights & Advocacy Project, handling a wide array of affirmative and defensive humanitarian immigration matters. She led that unit for three years. Stephanie has a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. from the University of Florida. She is admitted to practice in the New York Appellate Division and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
Kathleen Creamer, JD
Managing Attorney
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Kathleen Creamer is the Managing Attorney of the Family Advocacy Unit at Community Legal Services of Phliadelphia, which uses a holistic family defense model to represent parents involved with the child welfare system. Prior to joining CLS, she served as Director of Legal Services at Our Place, DC, a women’s reentry nonprofit. She also served as a Senior Fellow for the Stoneleigh Foundation, spearheading a cross-agency project dedicated to Improving Reunification Outcomes for Children of Incarcerated Parents. Kathleen is a member of the Steering Committee for the American Bar Association’s National Alliance for Parent Representation and co-chair of the Communications Committee for the Family Justice Initiative.-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - Free!
- Sstudent - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information