2026 Equal Justice Conference: Full Schedule

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10:00am EDT

Belonging Against the Backdrop: Reimagining DEI in Legal Aid

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EDT

As anti-DEI sentiment continues, sustaining equity work in legal aid is both difficult and necessary. This session examines what it means to continue this work and why a strong DEI programmatic integration remains essential to justice-centered missions. We’ll discuss research-backed benefits of a strong DEI climate—including strategies to increase sense of belonging, staff retention, and long-term organizational health.

Speakers

Kiara Hunt

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Legal Aid Services of Oregon

Kiara Hunt (they/them) is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO). They hold bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology and are currently a PhD student in Psychology at Oregon State University, where their research centers on liberatory... Read More →

Rej Joo

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EDT
Symphony 1

Sessions

11:30am EDT

Networking Lunch: NAPBPRO Credentialing

Thursday May 14, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

Symphony 1

Thursday May 14, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Symphony 1

Networking Lunch Sessions

1:15pm EDT

Design and Deliver Effective & Engaging Training Programs

Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

Symphony 1

Pro bono and legal aid professionals are frequently responsible for training others and sharing knowledge. This interactive session will provide practical guidance on how to efficiently design and deliver learning opportunities that achieve goals, resonate with adult learners and promote meaningful engagement.

Speakers

Kelly Tautges

Julia R. Wilson

Coach & Consultant, Julia Wilson Coaching

Julia R. Wilson is a leadership and team coach working with individuals and teams in civil legal services nonprofits across the country. She brings 3 decades of experience in legal services, including roles as a frontline attorney, executive director, and board member. She is certified... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Symphony 1

Sessions

2:45pm EDT

Strengthening Neighborhoods with Pro Bono Support

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT

Symphony 1

Learn how a legal aid program highlights--and delivers on--co-counsel support when attracting volunteer attorneys to the world of urban neighborhood lawyering.

Speakers

Kayla Hogan

Director, Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project, Legal Aid of Western Missouri

Kayla Hogan is the Director of the Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project at Legal Aid of Western Missouri, a pro bono collaboration between urban core neighborhoods and some of Kansas City's largest private law firms. She earned her B.A. in American Studies at Tufts University before joining... Read More →

Anna Berman

Anna is a trial lawyer who represents clients in a wide variety of cases, including breaches of ?duciary duties, contract disputes, theft of trade secrets, commercial and consumer auto ?nance and creditors’ rights issues. She counsels clients during the litigation process, including... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Symphony 1

Sessions

4:15pm EDT

Reimagining the Justice Experience: Designing Justice Systems Through User Feedback and Lessons from Other Sectors

Thursday May 14, 2026 4:15pm - 5:30pm EDT

Symphony 1

Learn from leaders in healthcare, business, and tech about how their industries transformed service delivery by centering the user. Participants will consider what it would mean to design the civil justice system with a parallel focus: creating a Justice Experience centered on the needs of low-income people navigating civil legal issues.

Speakers

Samantha DiDomenico

Director, Stout

Samantha DiDomenico is a Director in Stout’s Transformative Change Consulting group. Samantha has 10 years of experience providing consulting services to for-profit and non-profit clients in a variety of industries. She has expertise in understanding large, complex systems and data... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 4:15pm - 5:30pm EDT
Symphony 1

Sessions

10:00am EDT

11:30am EDT

1:15pm EDT

2:45pm EDT

4:15pm EDT

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