2026 Equal Justice Conference: Full Schedule

1:00pm EDT

Beyond the Basics: Experienced Pro Bono Program Managers

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Carolina D&E

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Carolina D&E

Pre-Conference

10:00am EDT

Building the Pipeline: Cultivating Pro Bono Leadership Across Career Stages

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

Carolina D&E

This dynamic session will explore how legal aid organizations, law schools, and law firms can collaborate to embed pro bono across all career stages—from law students to young lawyers to experienced practitioners. Panelists will share strategies for engagement, mentorship, and developing pro bono leaders. Breakout sessions will offer participants the opportunity to experiment with the design of models that maximize engagement and contribute to a thriving pro bono future.

Speakers

Sarah Lahlou-Amine

Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

Sarah Lahlou-Amine is a Shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney's DC office and proudly serves on the firm's Pro Bono Committee. Practicing in both Florida and DC, Sarah is a seasoned appellate specialist who has litigated hundreds of matters in state and federal appellate courts... Read More →

Jeffrey Harvey

CEO, Community Legal Services

Jeff was appointed to the Chief Executive Officer position in April 2020 but is no stranger to leadership or public service.

He graduated from Boston College in 2001 with his BA in Political Science and Theology. After college, Jeff was commissioned as an officer in the US Army where he completed training as a Ranger. While in the Army, Jeff completed his Master’s in Human Development and Leadership... Read More →

Sylvia Novinsky

Director, NC Pro Bono Resource Center, NC Equal Access to Justice Commission

Sylvia K. Novinsky

Director, NC Pro Bono Resource Center

Equal Access to Justice Commission

Bio:

Sylvia K. Novinsky is the director of the NC Pro Bono Resource Center, a program of theNorth Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission. She has been in this role since 2016... Read More →

Emily Ellis

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

1:15pm EDT

From Clicks to Clinics: Solving the Puzzle of Pro Bono Clinic Logistics

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

Carolina D&E

This session will be a deep dive into the world of legal clinics staffed by pro bono volunteers. This type of clinic has several logistical challenges because it needs to serve many groups: clients, volunteers, pro bono coordinators at legal services organizations, pro bono coordinators at law firms, in-house attorneys, and staff who conduct conflict checks. Having the right systems and processes in place can enable your staff to develop innovative pro bono delivery models.

Speakers

Joseph Schieffer

CEO, A2J Tech

Joseph is the founder and CEO of A2J Tech. A2J Tech is a public benefit corporation that builds technology to improve access to justice.

Joseph holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy. Joseph enjoys exploring Colorado's outdoors and trail running... Read More →

Anh LyJordan

Director, NC Equal Access to Justice Commission

Anh LyJordan serves as the Director of the Wake County Legal Support Center for the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission. She has previously served as a Project Manager for the Housing Stability Project with the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center. In this position... Read More →

Meghan Martie

Restorative Justice Project Director & Senior Staff Attorney, NC Pro Bono Resource Center

Meghan Martie serves as the Restorative Justice Project Director and Senior Staff Attorney with the NC Pro Bono Resource Center, focusing on driver’s license restoration. Meghan oversees pro bono volunteer work and communicates with clients.

Prior to joining the Resource Center, Meghan spent two years volunteering part-time as an attorney with the Wake County Office of the Public Defender, representing clients in District Court. She also clerked for Justice Robin Hudson on the North Carolina Supreme Court of North Carolina... Read More →

Victoria Pan

Project Manager and Legal Innovator, A2J Tech

Victoria Pan, Esq. is a Legal Innovator and a Project Manager at A2J Tech. She has extensive experience in process improvement and intake assessment in the legal services sector. Victoria has led many transformative projects with several notable organizations, including intake assessments... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

2:45pm EDT

Justice Starts in Law School: Expanding Pro Bono Through Academic Partnerships

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

Carolina D&E

Law students represent untapped potential in the nation’s pro bono ecosystem. This session brings together law schools and legal organizations to explore how partnerships can expand capacity, meet real community needs, and prepare future lawyers for service. Panelists will showcase innovative short- and long-term models, demystify how academic structures and pro bono requirements work, and spark a dialogue about challenges, collaboration, and what today’s students value as the next generation of justice-minded professionals.

Speakers

Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz

Director, DiMartino/Smith Public Interest Center, St. John's University School of Law

Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz is the Director of the DiMartino/Smith Public Interest Center at St. John’s University School of Law in New York City, where she leads the strategic vision, fundraising, and daily operations of one of the law school’s biggest academic centers. She oversees a... Read More →

Amy Hsieh

Executive Director, Public Service Law Center, Brooklyn Law School

Gina D'Amico

Aaron J. Irving

General Magistrate, Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, Clay County, Florida

Justice Starts in Law School Expanding Pro Bono Through Academic Partnerships (3) pdf

Summary Short and Long Term Partnership Models (2) (2) pdf

St. John’s Law Students Advocate for U.S. Military Veterans Over Spring Break pdf

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

4:15pm EDT

Designing Tech-Driven Case Studies and Role Plays for Pro Bono Volunteers

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

Carolina D&E

This session is built for legal aid attorneys who want to take their pro bono volunteer training programs to the next level by integrating interactive case studies and role-playing exercises—both online and in-person. With a focus on using technology to boost engagement and simulate real-world scenarios, this session empowers trainers to design immersive, learner-centered experiences that easily and quickly train pro bono volunteers. We will develop at least one resource together in this session for a hands-on training experience.

Speakers

Patrick Fodell

Director, OneJustice

As a OneJustice Director, Patrick dedicates his time to the Pro Bono Training Institute, finance, and consulting opportunities related to succession planning and adult learning best practices. He has coordinated trainings and outreach efforts at the Watsonville Law Center, Legal Aid... Read More →

Phong Wong

Pro Bono Director, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Phong Wong, Pro Bono Director at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

Phong oversees the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles’ pro bono work and coordinates its pro bono cases and projects, including Disaster Response and the Pro Bono Training Institute. She also oversees the outreach, recruitment, and hiring of volunteers including law students, underg... Read More →

Judy Hale

Director of Pro Bono Services with the, Pennsylvania Bar Association

Judy Hale is the Director of Pro Bono Services with the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), where she supports pro bono projects in Pennsylvania through PBA committees, county bar associations, legal aid agencies, law schools, as well as administering PA Wills for Heroes and PA Free... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 4:15pm - 5:30pm EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

8:30am EDT

Defending Civil Society: Innovative Pro Bono Models for Protecting Nonprofits Under Pressure

Friday May 15, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT

Carolina D&E

Nonprofit organizations are currently navigating a perfect storm of federal funding freezes, tax-exempt status challenges, and congressional oversight. This session provides a practical framework for mobilizing pro bono resources to protect these vital institutions. We will explore the intersection of administrative law, grant compliance, and governance to build tiered support systems—ranging from immediate technical triage to sophisticated legal counsel. Participants will learn to design comprehensive support ecosystems that integrate legal expertise with policy advocacy and community partnership, while mastering the logistics of training hundreds of volunteers and leveraging technology to maintain rigorous supervision standards at scale.

Speakers

Bob Glaves

Executive Director, The Chicago Bar Foundation

Bob Glaves has been Executive Director of The Chicago Bar Foundation since October of 1999, prior to which he had a successful nine-year career as a civil litigator in private practice. As Executive Director of the CBF, Glaves is responsible for leading and overseeing the CBF’s... Read More →

Lauren Worsek

Director, Pro Bono Initiatives, Lawyers for Good Government

Lauren Worsek is the Director of Pro Bono Initiatives at Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), where she oversees the strategic direction and operations of L4GG’s national pro bono programs, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to respond to urgent legal issues nationwide. She previously... Read More →

Michelle Roos

Executive Director, Environmental Protection Network

MIchelle Roos is the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Network (EPN). EPN has a small staff and over 750 EPA alumni across the country volunteering their time to protect the integrity of EPA, human health, and the environment. Michelle helped launch EPN’s capacity-building... Read More →

Jillian Blanchard

Senior Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice, Lawyers for Good Government

Jillian Blanchard is L4GG’s Senior Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice and a nationally recognized attorney in energy and natural resources law. Ms. Blanchard has worked in all levels of government, nonprofit, and the private sector on environmental, infrastructure... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

10:00am EDT

Tech Skills for Justice: Strengthening Legal Aid Staff Technology Competencies

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

Carolina D&E

Legal aid organizations increasingly rely on technology, yet staff often face gaps in digital skills that hinder efficiency and client service. This session will share strategies for assessing staff technology competencies, mapping them to organizational needs, and implementing tailored upskilling programs. Panelists will highlight lessons learned, practical tools, and approaches to building staff confidence, ensuring tech equity, and strengthening service delivery.

Speakers

Jane Ribadeneyra

Senior Program Officer for Technology, Legal Services Corporation

Jane Ribadeneyra joined the Legal Services Corporation in 2009 and is a Senior Program Officer for Technology. She oversees technology initiative grants that improve access to high-quality legal assistance for low-income people throughout the United States and its territories. She... Read More →

David Forrester

IT Director, Northwest Justice Project

David Forrester leads Northwest Justice Project's dedicated technology team as IT Director. For the past 20 years, David’s work has focused on helping nonprofits develop strategies and deliver technology solutions that help broaden and deepen their positive impact. Before joining... Read More →

America Valdez

HR Director, Community Legal Aid of SoCal

Hello - My name is America, and I am HR Director at Community Legal Aid SoCal. I look forward to connecting with you.

Friday May 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

1:30pm EDT

ChatGPT Isn't Your Lawyer: Building AI Digital Literacy

Friday May 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EDT

Carolina D&E

Equip yourself, your colleagues, and your clients with digital literacy skills in the age of AI. Being able to evaluate AI legal tools through product research can help you recognize examples of responsible tech and prevent predatory services, while maximizing opportunities to refer self-help clients to trusted tools to solve their own problems.

Speakers

Kelli Raker

Associate Program Director for Law, Technology, & Entrepreneurship Programs, Duke University, School of Law

Kelli Raker, MA, serves as the Associate Program Director for Law, Tech & Entrepreneurship Programs at the Duke Center on Law & Technology. She supports multiple initiatives and programs including RAILS (Responsible A.I. in Legal Services), the Duke Law Tech Lab, the Legal Design... Read More →

Sonja Ebron

CEO, Courtroom5

Sonja Ebron is the chief executive officer at Courtroom5, a legal automation platform for people representing themselves in U.S. civil courts. She is a PhD electrical engineer and former academic with a background in utilities and AI. She serves on the Leaders Council of the Legal... Read More →

Scheree M. Gilchrist

Chief Innovation Officer, Legal Aid of North Carolina

Scheree Gilchrist is the Chief Innovation Officer at Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC).In this position, she oversees the development of a sustainable, strategic plan for innovation that will improve access to justice for clients and improve the way staff works to deliver services... Read More →

Liz Keith

Chief Partnerships Officer, Pro Bono Net

Liz Keith serves as Chief Partnerships Officer at Pro Bono Net, the country’s leading nonprofit access to justice innovator with a 25-year history of impact. She has played a senior leadership role in advancing Pro Bono Net’s program strategy and cross-sector partnerships for... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

3:00pm EDT

Data with Balance: Captivating Funders Without Becoming Captive to the Numbers

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

Carolina D&E

This session explores how legal aid organizations can use data to inspire funders without losing sight of mission or community needs. Panelists will share strategies for aligning grant deliverables with real-world impact, effectively communicating data to funders, and requesting modifications when needs shift. We’ll also examine how data can be misused or oversimplified—and how maintaining integrity in storytelling ensures continued trust, funding, and meaningful service to those who need it most.

Speakers

Antonia More

Director/Managing Attorney, Pro Bono Legal Services, Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco

Antonia More is the Director and Managing Attorney of Pro Bono Legal Services at the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC). Under her direction, JDC provides free legal services to low-income litigants in San Francisco through its various initiatives... Read More →

Bonnie Rose Hough

Principal, Bonnie Rose Hough, Consulting

Bonnie Rose Hough is a consultant on access to justice issues working with courts and legal services agencies. She retired in December 2022 as Principal Managing Attorney for the Center for Families, Children & the Courts of the Judicial Council of California where she worked for... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
Carolina D&E

Sessions

1:00pm EDT

10:00am EDT

1:15pm EDT

2:45pm EDT

4:15pm EDT

8:30am EDT

10:00am EDT

1:30pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

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