2026 Equal Justice Conference: Full Schedule

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10:00am EDT

How to Kill your Darlings: Making Bold Changes to Maximize Pro Bono Program Impact

Friday May 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EDT

Hemingway famously advised writers to "kill their darlings" - those aspects of a story that they love but no longer serve the overall purpose. This advice also applies to organizations running longstanding but outdated pro bono programs. Using case studies from several legal services organizations, this session will discuss knowing when your program needs a change, determining what changes to make, and successfully implementing those changes to maximize program impact.

Speakers

Sarah Babcock

Co-Director, Community Justice Resource Center, Alaska Legal Services

Sarah Babcock is the Director of Saturday Lawyer and Eviction Defense Programs at Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. These programs connect tenants experiencing housing issues with legal advocacy, information about their rights, and representation by pro bono attorney volunteers... Read More →

Darcy McLean

Director of Pro Bono & Community Engagement, Alston & Bird

As the Director of Pro Bono & Community Engagement at Alston & Bird, Darcy McLean develops and maintains relationships with legal services organizations and law firm pro bono coordinators firmwide. She facilitates trainings and volunteer opportunities for attorneys and staff and manages... Read More →

Kate Gaffney

Director of Pro Bono, Atlanta Legal Aid Society

Kate Gaffney is the Director of Pro Bono at Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Kate develops, manages and oversees the many ways Atlanta Legal Aid Society works with private attorneys, law students and volunteers to help further the organization’s mission of helping low-income people meet... Read More →

Sarah J. Anderson

PBU Deputy Director/Clinics & Compliance, Georgia Legal Services Program

Sarah Anderson serves as the Pro Bono Unit Deputy Director / Clinics & Compliance for Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP). In this role, she develops clinic models that can be implemented across GLSP’s regional offices and oversees compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EDT
Symphony 2

Sessions

3:00pm EDT

Empowering Legal Aid: A Toolkit for Serving Communities Impacted by Opioid Use Disorder

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

Symphony 2

Discover how Opioid Crisis Response Fellows are addressing the opioid epidemic. The panelists will identify civil legal aid issues associated with the opioid crisis and provide collaborative and systemic approaches to the development of an OUD-focused Medical Legal Partnership. Participants will feel empowered to join the growing workforce of Legal Aid OUD-specialists to create community-based solutions and close service gaps.

Speakers

Touri Goode

Program Manager, Equal Justice Works

Lauren Williams

Equal Justice Works Opioid Crisis Response Fellow, Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio

Lauren Williams is an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO), where they provide direct legal services and build partnerships with medical, judicial, and community organizations to help reduce opioid fatalities. Working within a harm reduction... Read More →

Carrie Stambaugh

Equal Justice Works Opioid Crisis Response Fellow, Legal Aid of the Bluegrass

Carrie Stambaugh is an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Opioid Crisis Response Program and a Staff Attorney at Legal Aid of the Bluegrass. Based in rural northeast, Kentucky, her practice is centered on providing direct civil legal services to low-income and substance use affected... Read More →

Justin Apperson

Equal Justice Works Opioid Crisis Response Fellow, Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky

Justin Apperson is an attorney and Equal Justice Works Fellow, Opioid Crisis Response Program working with AppalReD Legal Aid in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. His fellowship project focuses on building partnerships with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment providers in Eastern Kentucky to... Read More →

Helen Gratil

Consultant, Beyond Opioids

Helen Gratil is a national consultant and speaker focused on civil legal interventions for individuals impacted by the opioid crisis – specializing in fundraising, training, and project management. In 2019, Helen raised $2.2 million to launch Beyond Opioids Project, through her... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
Symphony 2

Sessions

10:00am EDT

3:00pm EDT

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