2026 Equal Justice Conference has ended

Create Your Own Event

2026 Equal Justice Conference

10:00am EDT

AI Injustice as a New Frontier for Lawyer-Organizer Advocacy Models Mecklenburg 3Susan Garcia Nofi • Andrea Reyes Belonging Against the Backdrop: Reimagining DEI in Legal Aid Symphony 1Kiara Hunt • Rej Joo Bringing Home the Crisis in Legal Aid Funding Symphony 6Lisa Singer • Hilaire Armstrong • Felecia Pettway Building the Pipeline: Cultivating Pro Bono Leadership Across Career Stages Carolina D&ESarah Lahlou-Amine • Jeffrey Harvey • Sylvia Novinsky • Emily Ellis Finding the Story in the Numbers: Turning Court Data into Action Governers 1&2Tanisha Pierrette • Lillian Patil Hot Topics in Civil Legal Aid Carolina AJason Vail • Radhika Singh • Ronald S. Flagg Justice Metamorphosis: Courts Innovating e-Filing Technology to Provide Access and Empower Survivors Symphony 3Sarah Mauet • Sarah Hoskinson • Amy Borman Promising Practices For Veterans Discharge Upgrade Applications Based On Racial Discrimination Symphony 5Alden Pinkham Protecting SNAP and Medicaid Access in Light of HR 1 Changes Mecklenburg 2Skyler M. Rosellini • Lauren Hasen • Jessica Mark Rethinking Brief Services Evaluation – A Strategic Approach to Understanding the Impact of Brief Services Mecklenburg 1Neil Steinkamp • Melanie MacBride Speaking with One Voice: Building a Shared Message for America’s Civil Justice System Governers 5&6Samira Nazem • Eve Runyon • Maria Duvuvuei • Brittany Kauffman Using Online Dispute Resolution Pre-Suit to Address Medical Debt Symphony 2Dana Schmidt • Anne-Louise Wirthlin • Alexander McVeagh • Linda Warren Seely Utilizing an Externship, Secondee, or Retiree Model to Grow Pro Bono Engagement Carolina CSara Richman • Laura Sinrod • Lauren Connell • Hamra Ahmad

1:15pm EDT

(ETHICS) Automating Solutions for the Sh&! You Don’t Want to Do but Must Do to Keep Your License Mecklenburg 1Maggie R. Robb • Melinda Fithen (ETHICS) Ethics Quiz Show 2026 Carolina CEllyn Rosen • Jenny K. Mittelman • Lauren Gilbride Advocating for Equity in Medicaid Eligibility Systems in the Automation Age Symphony 2Sarah Grusin • Emma Weil • Susan Garcia Nofi • Shandra Harly Design and Deliver Effective & Engaging Training Programs Symphony 1Kelly Tautges • Julia R. Wilson Fostering Collaborative State Agency Partnerships Mecklenburg 3Elizabeth Hom • Lorin Kline • Kara Brodfuehrer • Samiel a. Thumma • Chris Groninger From Clicks to Clinics: Solving the Puzzle of Pro Bono Clinic Logistics Carolina D&EJoseph Schieffer • Anh LyJordan • Meghan Martie • Victoria Pan From Scarcity to Abundance: #JustOC - A New Model for Collaboration and Innovation Governers 5&6Monica Eav Glicken • Kate Marr • Brooke Weitzman Habeas in Practice: Strategies and Stories from the Front Lines Governers 1&2Jacqueline Pearce • Mindy Johnson • Harold Solis • Beth D. Baltimore • F. Evan Benz Law Firm and Corporate Engagement in MLPs: A Scalable Model for Access to Justice Symphony 5Angie Zimmern • Allison Held • Jontile Ray • David J. DePippo • Carol Wyatt Legal Aid Funding Landscape & Roundtable Discussion Symphony 6Anne K. Sweeney • Shubi Deoras • Jared S. Smith • Bill Boies Reimagining Access: A Case Study in AI-Powered Online Intake Portals Symphony 3Scheree M. Gilchrist • Mauricio Duarte • Megan Hennings Securing Justice Through Debt Relief: Ensuring Access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Carolina AMaria L. Imperial • George Mykulak • Khandice Lofton • Vikram Swaruup Using Evidence to Allocate Scarce Resources Mecklenburg 2D. James Greiner • Renee L. Danser

2:45pm EDT

(ETHICS) AI in Legal Aid: Ethics, Bias, Privacy, and Regulation Carolina AErin Riker • Ellen Samuel • Sarah J. Duval Building and Sustaining Effective Partnerships for Serving LGBTQ+ Low Income Clients Symphony 3Shinming (Ming) Wong • L. Orozco • Kate Mozynski Building Trust and Connecting with Vulnerable Clients Mecklenburg 3Jaelle R. Richardson • Dana Mertz Built to Deliver, Designed to Learn: Linking Project Management with Evaluation Governers 5&6Shellie Reid • Kelly Shaw-Sutherland • Katherine Wines Catalysts for Change: The Strategic Role of Leaders in Program Innovation & Mission Advancement Carolina CPhil Hwang • Patrick Fodell • Monica Eav Glicken • Robert White Community Legal Needs Assessments Post-pandemic: Trends & Emerging Needs Mecklenburg 1Jeffrey Harvey • Steve Grumm • Jen Lee Enforcing Human Trafficking Survivors’ Rights Through Civil Suits Symphony 6Annie Smith • Jose Alfaro • Aaron Halegua Going on Offense: Using Affirmative Litigation to Achieve Better Outcomes in Eviction Cases Symphony 2Lydia Ellsworth • Beverly Beaver Justice Starts in Law School: Expanding Pro Bono Through Academic Partnerships Carolina D&EJeanne Ortiz-Ortiz • Amy Hsieh • Gina D'Amico • Aaron J. Irving Justice Unbundled: A Path to Legal Access Through Scalable Limited-Scope Models that Empower Clients & Increase Lawyer Engagement Symphony 5Addison N. Mininger • Joy Springfield • Sharmaine Heng • Kiersten Bartolotta Making your Evaluation Meaningful from Design to Impact Mecklenburg 2Julia Schutt Strengthening Neighborhoods with Pro Bono Support Symphony 1Kayla Hogan • Anna Berman The Case for Clarity: Law Firm Giving and Government Advocacy in Turbulent Times Governers 1&2Steve H. Schulman • Paul Lee • Adam Heintz • Mytrang Nguyen

4:15pm EDT

(ETHICS) Navigating Cybersecurity Risks in Legal Aid: Protecting Clients, Data, and Trust Carolina CShellie Reid • Ellen Samuel • Joseph Melo • David Forrester (NOT CLE ELIGIBLE) Redefining Success in Challenging Times: Preserving Rights, Reimagining Justice Symphony 2Tamara Serwer Caldas • Rene Kathawala • Chriselle Raguro • Katie Niejadlik • Bianca Sierra Wolff America's Black Maternal Health Crisis and Disappearing Data Mecklenburg 2Bernadette Manigault Building Tenant Power to Preserve Subsidized Housing Symphony 3Korey C. Lundin • Bridgett A. Simmons • David Sunshine Hamburger Designing Tech-Driven Case Studies and Role Plays for Pro Bono Volunteers Carolina D&EPatrick Fodell • Phong Wong • Judy Hale Educating Legislators About Legal Aid 2.0 Carolina ARonald S. Flagg • Laura Tuggle • Betty Bali Torres • Ashley Campbell If You Build It, They Will [Advocate]: How to Develop Your Own Guardianship Defense Practice Governers 5&6Karen Nicolson • Sara E. Planthaber Media 101: Press Relations with a Small Team (or Without Comms Staff) Symphony 5Maria Duvuvuei Power to the People: A Holistic Revolution to End Mass Incarceration Through Participatory Defense Governers 1&2Mitchelle Woodson Reimagining the Justice Experience: Designing Justice Systems Through User Feedback and Lessons from Other Sectors Symphony 1Samantha DiDomenico State Court Leadership Views on Authorized Justice Workers Mecklenburg 1Rebecca Sandefur • Elizabeth Chambliss • Cassie Chambers Matthew Burnett • Alyx Mark Understanding & Addressing Burnout Mecklenburg 3Julia R. Wilson

8:30am EDT

Booked Up, Logged In, and On the Road Again-- Close the Justice Gap with a Public Library Partnership Symphony 1Katherine Hope Chew • Julie M. Brophy • Karie Schulenburg Creative Strategies to Train and Support Pro Bono Lawyers Governers 5&6Courtney Jones • Molly MacCready • Sheila Winkelman Pont • Andrea D. Ortiz Defending Civil Society: Innovative Pro Bono Models for Protecting Nonprofits Under Pressure Carolina D&EBob Glaves • Lauren Worsek • Michelle Roos • Jillian Blanchard Fail Smart, Win Big: Overcoming Fear to Unlock Innovation Potential Carolina AAndy Cole • Ashley Holliday Financing the Future and Strengthening the Law Student to Public Interest Pipeline Mecklenburg 2Phong Wong • Elizabeth Hom From Casework to Capacity-Building: Supervisors as Change Agents Carolina CHolly Beck • Kadeem Morris • Jenna Collins From Collaboration to Code: Building a Statewide Civil Justice Infrastructure Symphony 3Laura Tuggle • Amanda Brown • Rachel Mills • Stephanie Beaugh Innovative Tools for Managing and Growing Outreach and Pro Bono Programs Governers 1&2Sandra L. San Emeterio Fair • Aletheia C. Stratos IRS vs. IOU: Leveraging IRS Regs and Counterclaims in Nonprofit Hospital Debt Suits Mecklenburg 3Matthew Keenan • Andy Kent • Casey Johnson Launching Community Justice Workers: a Solution to the Legal Deserts Faced by DV Survivors Symphony 5Sarah Carver • Teryn Bird • Lauren Kellogg • Joy K. Anderson San Diego Participatory Defense (FREE SD), Bringing the Racial Justice Act to Life Mecklenburg 1Mitchelle Woodson The Golden Years Challenge: The Experience of Aging Observed Through a New Lens Symphony 6Kay Hightower • Susan Ingles • Sally Nesemeier

10:00am EDT

Community-Based Legal Innovation: Research on Justice Worker Programs in Indian Country Mecklenburg 2Cody Nelson • Rebecca Sandefur • Matthew Burnett • Sarah Carver Enforcing the Disability Rights of Public Benefits Applicants and Recipients Under Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws Governers 5&6Saima A. Akhtar • Haley Kulakowski • Elizabeth Woods Fines and Fines Reform: Opportunities and Lessons Learned Governers 1&2Grace Spulak • Lisa Foster • Alisha Clegg • Thomas More Donnelly • Bob Glaves From Evidence to Engagement to Action: Leveraging Research, Convening, and Direct Services for Stronger Domestic Violence Protections Mecklenburg 1Lisa Martin • Shunna V. Jeter • Hannah Honeycutt How to Kill your Darlings: Making Bold Changes to Maximize Pro Bono Program Impact Symphony 2Sarah Babcock • Darcy McLean • Kate Gaffney • Sarah J. Anderson Impact of Disaster Related Payouts to Public Benefit Recipients Symphony 5Carlos Valdes • Jonathan Brown • Bernadette Segura Justice Isn't Blind: The Role of Implicit Bias in the Courts Mecklenburg 3Rita Cameron Wedding • Shalinee Hunter Meet Hazel to Learn About Approaches to Inclusive Work Environments Symphony 3Sonya Bellafant • Linda Milanesi MIE Roundtable for Legal Services Executive Directors and Managers Carolina AJared S. Smith • Yvonne Mariajimenez • Alexis Smith Pro Bono Immigration Practice in a Time of Increased Enforcement Symphony 1Angela Bouliakis Andronis • Beth Henderson • Marianne Staniunas Tech Skills for Justice: Strengthening Legal Aid Staff Technology Competencies Carolina D&EJane Ribadeneyra • David Forrester • America Valdez Testing Your New GenAI-Enhanced Tool(s) – How and Why  Carolina CAngela Tripp • Russ Bloomquist

1:30pm EDT

50 Tech Tips: Tools to Boost Everyday Practice Mecklenburg 1LaDierdre Johnson • Shellie Reid • Jane Ribadeneyra • Angela Tripp Breaking Bread, Changing Futures: Community Solutions for Youth Justice Governers 5&6Nikole Nelson • Jim Copple • Alicia Mitchell-Mercer • Rachel Royal Centering Clients, Expanding Reach: Pro Bono in Rural Communities Symphony 3Anais Taboas • Matt Kgizaki • Bethanie Mettling • Jerri Shick ChatGPT Isn't Your Lawyer: Building AI Digital Literacy Carolina D&EKelli Raker • Sonja Ebron • Scheree M. Gilchrist • Liz Keith Digital Accessibility and Disability Justice Mecklenburg 2Gabriella Vazquez • Grace Spulak • Emily F. Deines • Jill Roberts Emergency and Estate Planning for Vulnerable Communities Mecklenburg 3Jennifer Anders-Gable • Bertha Sanchez Hayden Leading Through the Storm: Building Resilient Legal Aid Organizations in Challenging Times Carolina AAshley Campbell • Jackie Kiger • Larissa Mañón Mervin Volunteers Tell All: Peeking Behind the Curtain With Corporate and Law Firm Pro Bono Leaders Carolina CAngie Zimmern • Todd Stilleman • Julie Leopold • Allison S. Constance

3:00pm EDT

Bridging the Justice Gap with Community Justice Workers: Lessons from Texas & Beyond Mecklenburg 2Nikole Nelson • Cristian Sanchez • Bethany Carson Data with Balance: Captivating Funders Without Becoming Captive to the Numbers Carolina D&EAntonia More • Bonnie Rose Hough Developing and Delivering Community Legal Services in Hawaiʻi Through Expungement and Bench Warrant Recall Clinics Mecklenburg 3E. Edward Aquino • Daylin-Rose H. Heather • Sergio Alcubilla • Melanie May Empowering Legal Aid: A Toolkit for Serving Communities Impacted by Opioid Use Disorder Symphony 2Touri Goode • Lauren Williams • Carrie Stambaugh • Justin Apperson • Helen Gratil Fighting Against LGBTQ+ Bias in the Legal System to Preserve Democracy Mecklenburg 1Ethan Rice • Luna Isaiah Floyd • Richard Saenz From Tokenism to Transformation: Centering System-Impacted Leaders in Legal and Policy Work Symphony 3Paul Briley • Sonja Tonnesen-Casalegno • Daryl V. Atkinson Leveraging Our Power for Systemic Impact: When Law Firms Become Expert Thought Partners Symphony 1Katharyn Voit • Natalie Kraner • Jessica Kitson • Tamara Serwer Caldas Meeting The Moment: Supporting Nonprofits in Times of Crisis Carolina ARene Kathawala • Ritu Mahajan • Kathryn Eidmann • Matt Kugizaki

8:30am EDT

Eyes on Justice: Creative Volunteer Pathways to Strengthen Immigration Due Process Mecklenburg 2Stacey Kim • Alla Karagodin Holmes Justice Without Walls: Virtual Models That Bring Legal Help Home Carolina ASylvia Novinsky • Joseph Schieffer • Fern Fisher Meeting ‘em Where They’re At: How Civil Legal Aid Promotes Overdose Prevention and SUD Advocacy Mecklenburg 3Charles Bowen • Karyn Rotker • Nicole Gorscak • Malinda Eskra