Product Description

The legal needs of our communities far exceed the legal resources currently available—especially for those unable to afford to hire a private attorney. Many exciting efforts are underway to address this problem in Massachusetts and across the country. One thing is clear: we will need creative approaches and consistent collaboration to make a real and lasting impact on the systemic inequities that render legal help inaccessible for so many. Join us as we step back to assess this panorama, look to the horizon, and then work together to brainstorm solutions.

Our expert panelists will use their unique perspectives and experiences to take on questions related to:

• Bringing a whole person approach to the user experience in court
• Fostering better and broader collaboration within and beyond the courts
• Harnessing technology to better serve clients and communities
• Using research, evaluation, and data to assess impact and improve processes
• Exploring new models for representation and advocacy
• Preliminary findings and recommendations from the Justice for All Grant

In addition to a wide range of participants including private attorneys, legal service providers, court personnel, thought leaders, social services organizations, and community groups, we are proud to be welcoming Katherine Alteneder of the Self-Represented Litigation Network, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants, and Judge Dina Fein, First Justice, Housing Court Department, Western Division and Special Advisor to the Trial Court for Access to Justice Initiatives, as featured speakers.

Agenda & Materials

• 8:30 am–9:00 am

  Registration
• 9:00 am–9:15 am

  Welcome
• 9:15 am–9:30 am

  Opening Remarks

  Hon. Ralph D. Gants, Supreme Judicial Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  
• 9:30 am–10:15 am

  Harnessing the Power of Technology to Expand Access to Justice

  Rochelle Hahn, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  Dr. Cordula A. Robinson, Northeastern University , Boston
  Quinten Steenhuis, Esq., Suffolk University Law School , Boston
  Gabriel H. Teninbaum, Esq., Suffolk University Law School , Boston
  
• 10:15 am–11:15 am

  Bringing a Holistic Approach to the Court User Experience

  John G.C. Laing, Executive Office of the Trial Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Sheriece M. Perry, Esq., Trial Court/Administrative Office , Boston
  Tere Ramos, Esq., Ramos Law LLC , Wellesley Hills
  Mike Williams, Suffolk County Family Court , Holtsville
  
• 11:15 am–11:30 am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:30 am–12:00 noon

  Preliminary Findings and Recommendations from the MA Justice For All Project

  Marc Lauritsen, Esq., Capstone Practice Systems, Inc , Harvard
  Hon. Cynthia J. Cohen, Appeals Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Cambridge
  Susan M. Finegan, Esq., Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, PC , Boston
  Katherine Oberlies O'Leary, Esq., General Electric Boston , Boston
  
• 12:00 noon–1:00 pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:00 pm–1:30 pm

  Keynote Address: How Design Thinking Can Optimize Pro Bono Engagement in the 100% Access to Justice Ecosystem

  Katherine Alteneder, Esq., Self-Represented Litigation Network , Washington
  
• 1:30 pm–2:15 pm

  Exploring New Models for Advocacy and Representation

  Laura M. Unflat, Esq., Unflat Law & Mediation LLC , Wellesley
  Joel H. Feldman, Esq., Heisler & Feldman, PC , Springfield
  Kathleen E. Maitland, Esq., New York State Unified Court System Office for Justice Initiatives , New York
  Gordon P. Shaw, Esq., Community Legal Aid/Hampden County , Springfield
  Leonard F. Zandrow, Jr., Esq., Brister & Zandrow, LLP , Boston
  
• 2:15 pm–3:30 pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:30 pm–4:15 pm

  Improving Outcomes Through Evidence-Based Research

  Julia Schutt, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice , Boston
  Constance R. Mortara, Esq., Court Service Center Lowell , Lowell
  Sammy S. Nabulsi, Esq., Rose Law Partners, LLP , Boston
  Erika J. Rickard, Esq., Harvard Law School , Cambridge
  
• 4:15 pm–5:00 pm

  Better and Broader Collaboration Within and Beyond the Courts

  Sue Marsh, Rosie's Place , Boston
  Bette Babinski, COM/Trial Court/Judicial Institute , Boston
  Sheila C. Casey, Esq., Executive Office of the Trial Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Nina Darby, Rosie's Place , Boston
  Amy McCarthy, The Home for Little Wanderers , Roslindale
  
• 5:00 pm

  Closing Remarks

  Hon. Dina E. Fein, Northeast Housing Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Faculty