Product Description

MCLE is pleased to present its 12th Annual Legal Services Conference 2025, which brings together the Massachusetts legal services community for a day of virtual learning. This year’s Conference connects advocates, attorneys, and community leaders for a dynamic and forward-looking exploration of how to navigate advocacy in the face of ongoing political, legal, and funding challenges. Rather than focusing on obstacles, the program centers on the values that unite our work—equity, justice, and community—and emphasizes what we can do, both individually and collectively, to advance access to justice. The Conference encourages participants to reflect on the core mission of legal aid and explore strategies for communicating that mission effectively to clients, communities, and policymakers.

Throughout the afternoon, participants engage with panels that spotlight cross-cutting issues in legal aid practice, from litigation brought by our Massachusetts AG, to the harmful impact of federal actions on Massachusetts’ residents—especially immigrants—tips on messaging and communications ethics, Expert-led sessions examine how to collaborate across traditionally siloed practice areas, strengthen advocacy under tightening constraints, and support clients facing multi-systemic barriers.

In a time of growing uncertainty in the legal system and beyond, our Conference concludes with an interactive session invites candid conversation about what’s within our control—and what’s not. We’ll explore strategies for navigating personal stress, supporting clients without compounding their trauma, and recognizing when colleagues may need help. Come ready to reflect, connect, and leave with practical tools to foster a more resilient, collaborative legal community.

Agenda & Materials

• 12:00pm - 12:05pm

  Welcome and Introduction

  Jacquelynne J. Bowman, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services , Boston
  Georgia D. Katsoulomitis, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  
• 12:05pm - 12:35pm

  Litigation to Safeguard the State and Rule of Law

  Andrea J. Campbell, Office of the Attorney General , Boston
  
• 12:35pm - 1:35pm

  How Federal Executive Actions are Harming Immigrants and Low-Income Massachusetts Residents - and What You Can Do About It!

  Peggy Bailey, Executive V.P., Policy and Program Development , Washington
  Sam Berger, Esq., Senior Fellow, Federal Fiscal Policy , Washington
  Cara Brumfield, V.P., Housing and Income Security , Washington
  Shelby Gonzales, V.P., Immigration Policy , Washington
  Sarah Lueck, V.P., Health Policy , Washington
  Dottie Rosenbaum, Senior Fellow and Director of Federal SNAP Policy , Washington
  
• 1:35pm - 1:50pm

  Break
• 1:50pm - 2:50pm

  Our Role as Communicators: Strategies for Effective and Ethical Messaging

  Sarah Betancourt, GBH News , Brighton
  Esmy Jimenez, The Boston Globe , Boston
  Madeline Graf, MLRI , Boston
  Erin Van Pelt, B.A., M.S., Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation , Boston
  
• 2:50pm - 2:55pm

  Break
• 2:55pm - 3:55pm

  Staying Grounded in Uncertain Times: Caring for Ourselves and Each Other While Pursuing Advocacy and Justice

  Heidi S. Alexander, Esq., Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being , Boston
  Shailini J. George, Esq., Suffolk University Law School , Boston
  
• 3:55pm - 4:00pm

  Closing Remarks

  Jacquelynne J. Bowman, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services , Boston
  Georgia D. Katsoulomitis, Esq., MLRI , Boston
  

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.

Cochairs

Featured Speaker(s)

Faculty