Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Approaches to Advocating for Diverse Populations, RWU Law Symposium - November 15 - Register Here The, Roger Williams University Law Review, will present their annual symposium on Friday, November 15, 2024. The, Roger William University Law Review’s, newest journal,, Justice for All, , proudly presents a symposium focusing on the importance of practicing trauma-informed lawyering to build effective attorney-client relationships and provide holistic representation that accounts for the realities of traumatic experiences. Speakers will discuss trauma-informed practice, what is meant by the terms "trauma" and "vicarious trauma," representing clients who have survived domestic…, Meet the Keynote Speaker, Jamie Beck, Jamie Beck, Esq., , is the owner of J.D. Beck Consulting, which supports attorneys, law firms, and organizations working with survivors of human trafficking, domestic and sexual violence, and child abuse. Ms. Beck previously served as the president & managing attorney of Free to Thrive, a Southern California-based nonprofit organization that aims to advance justice and transform the legal system for human…, San Diego Law Review, . Ms. Beck attended law school because she wanted to help others and she knew that the legal system is a powerful tool to do so. , Agenda, 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Registration & Breakfast 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Welcome 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Panel 1: What is Trauma? The Importance of Trauma-Informed Lawyering, Attorneys owe all clients a duty of “competent representation” under the Model Rules of Professional Conduct §1.1, but representing clients who have experienced trauma requires more than legal knowledge and preparation. Lawyers need to understand the neurobiological impact of trauma and how it can affect a person’s ability to access memories, make decisions, and communicate. This panel will…, Chelsea M. Donaldson, Esq., LMSW, Supervising Attorney, Veterans Benefits and Military Unit, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Chelsea M. Donaldson Passionate about access to justice and trauma-informed practice, Chelsea has chosen to dedicate her life to serving the community that requires legal aid the most: low-income individuals struggling with mental illness and trauma. Her primary practice at the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is heavily focused on Veterans struggling from severe mental health diagnoses…, Deeya Haldar, Associate Professor of Law, Director of the Civil Justice Clinic, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, Deeya Haldar Professor Haldar is a Professor and the Director of the Civil Justice Clinic at the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University. Professor Haldar also serves as the Director of the Clinical Program at Villanova. Prior to Villanova, she was the Supervising Attorney for the Drexel Civil Litigation Field Clinic at Philadelphia Legal Assistance (“PLA”) and a Co-Supervising…, Sarah Katz, Clinical Professor of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Sarah Katz Professor Katz is Clinical Professor of Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law, and a current Senior Fellow with the Stoneleigh Foundation. She directs and teaches the Family Law Clinic at Temple Law. Professor Katz researches and writes about trauma-aware lawyering, the child welfare system and other family law issues, and frequently speaks on these topics at scholarly…, Will Sheehan, M.Ed., Esq., Staff Attorney, Safe Passage Project, Will Sheehan Will Sheehan joined Safe Passage Project as an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow and is now a Staff Attorney. Will works with immigrant youth to provide them quality legal representation. Will believes that every child deserves the opportunity to craft a beautiful and fulfilling life for themselves. Free, trauma-informed, and client-centered immigration counsel can help ensure that…, Moderator: Nicole P. Dyszlewski, Professor and Assistant Dean for Curricular Innovation, Roger Williams University School of Law, Nicole P. Dyszlewski Nicole P. Dyszlewski currently serves as Assistant Dean of Academic Innovation, for the Law School. She originally joined the staff of the law school as the Research/Access Services Librarian in 2015 having come from a public legislative library before becoming the Head of Reference, Instruction, and Engagement in the law library prior to accepting her current position. She…, Student Moderator: Samuel Filiaggi, JD Candidate, Roger Williams University School of Law, Samuel Filiaggi Samuel Filiaggi is a 3L student at Roger Williams University School of Law enrolled in the joint-Master of Marine Affairs Program at the University of Rhode Island. Samuel is engaged in many aspects of the RWU Law community. He serves as the Honor Board Chair, on the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, and on the Student Title IX Task Force. He also works as a teaching…, Panel 2: Understanding the Effect of Trauma on Juvenile Clients: Advocating for Children in the Courtroom and Beyond, Research shows that trauma disproportionately affects juveniles involved in the justice system and involvement itself can place them at risk of experiencing trauma. Furthermore, youth who have experienced trauma may cope in ways that increase their risk of arrest. Providing competent representation to these clients requires holistic trauma-informed care, including the ability to build trusting…, Meagan Fitzgerald, MS, CCLS, Manager of Advocacy & Prevention, The Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. Child Protection Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Meagan Fitzgerald Meg Fitzgerald, MS, CCLS, is the manager of advocacy and prevention and a child life specialist at the Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. Child Protection Center . She received her master’s degree in child life and family-centered care from Wheelock College. Meg has specialized training in psychosocial development and effective coping strategies for hospitalized children, and victims of…, Miyah Grant, Psy.D., Psychologist, RI Family Court Mental Health Clinic, Miyah Grant Dr. Miyah Grant is a clinical forensic psychologist dedicated to promoting behavioral health, justice, and equitable outcomes within the juvenile legal system. She is a licensed staff psychologist at the RI Family Court Mental Health Clinic. Dr. Grant’s work centers on exploring, understanding, and addressing the unique challenges faced by system-involved youth and families. Dr. Grant…, Michael Gregory, Esq., Clinical Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Faculty Director, Youth Advocacy & Policy Lab, Michael Gregory Michael Gregory is Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School (HLS) and Member of the Faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is Faculty Director of the Youth Advocacy & Policy Lab (Y-Lab), whose mission is to advocate for youth-facing systems that are antiracist, healing-centered, and trauma-sensitive. Y-Lab prioritizes elevating the voices of young…, Helping Traumatized Children Learn, Volumes 1 and 2, and has also published in the area of special education law., , He holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. , Dr. Larome Myrick, Executive Director, Rhode Island Training School, Larome Myrick Dr. Larome Myrick is a transformational leader with over 20 years of experience in criminal justice, public health, and human services. As the Executive Director of Juvenile Justice for Rhode Island, he oversees the Rhode Island Training School and Juvenile Probation Division, where his leadership has driven a 60% reduction in admissions and expanded community-based alternatives. Dr…, Moderator: Martsyl Joseph, Professor of Legal Practice, Roger Williams University School of Law, Martsyl Joseph Professor Martsyl Joseph joined the Rogers Williams University School of Law faculty in 2022, after working as a criminal defense lawyer for 11 years. Professor Joseph started her career with the Committee for Public Counsel Services, which is the public defender agency in Massachusetts. She then went into private practice, where she continued to do criminal defense work, but also…, Jamie Beck, Esq., Founder, President & Managing Attorney, Free to Thrive; Adjunct Lecturer in Law, USC Gould School of Law, Moderator: Laurie Barron, Director, Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education, Roger Williams University School of Law, Laurie Barron Laurie Barron is the Director of Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education. She received a B.A. from Yale University, a J.D. from New York University School of Law, and an M.S.W. from New York University School of Social Work. Her previous work includes representing children at the Juvenile Rights Division of the Legal Aid Society in New York City; working as a…, Panel 3: Trauma-Informed Advocacy for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Trafficking, Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking often need more than competent legal representation to move forward and heal from the trauma they have experienced. Attorneys working with these clients should ensure these clients’ basic needs are met and provide them with autonomy to make decisions about the future. Panelists will discuss the coping mechanisms that survivors often…, Amy Goldberg, MD, FAAP, Attending Physician, The Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. Child Protection Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital; Professor of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Amy Goldberg Amy Goldberg, MD, FAAP, is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and an attending physician at The Lawrence A. Aubin Sr. Child Protection Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. She received her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and completed pediatric residency training at UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center and…, Erica Hardy, MD, MA, MMSc, Director, Women’s Infectious Disease Consult Service, Women & Infants Hospital, Erica Hardy Dr. Hardy is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, in the Division of Obstetric Medicine and Infectious Disease at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Her clinical and research interests include infectious disease, especially the peripartum period, sexually transmitted infections, and trauma-informed acute medical care and follow up of…, Taylor Matook, Esq., Special Assistant Attorney General, Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General , Taylor Matook Taylor Matook joined the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General in 2020 as a Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG). She specializes in the Special Victim Unit and oversees an independent caseload of over 250 criminal cases, primarily composed of domestic violence, sexual assault, child molestation and abuse, and human trafficking offenses. In her capacity as SAAG, Taylor …, Escaping the Commercial Binds of Sex Trafficking Law: The Necessary Elimination of the "Commercial Vice" Requirement, , Quinnipiac Law Review 2019)., Vanessa Volz, Esq., President & CEO, Sojourner House, Vanessa Volz Vanessa Volz, Esq. has been the President and CEO (formerly the Executive Director) of Sojourner House since 2011. During her tenure, the agency has updated its mission statement, more than quadrupled its operating budget, and developed new community-based initiatives and housing programs. A licensed attorney, she previously practiced disability rights law, and she has published…, Moderator: Emily J. Sack, Esq., Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law, Emily J. Sack Joining the RWU Law faculty in 2001, Professor Emily Sack has become a nationally recognized expert on domestic violence and reform of the court system. As the Deputy Director for the Center for Court Innovation, Professor Sack helped develop and implement the first domestic violence courts in New York, as well as the first felony domestic violence court in the United States. U.S.…, The Struggle for the Future of Domestic Violence Policy, in his opinion in the domestic violence case , Castle Rock v. Gonzales, . Active in the community, Professor Sack is a member of the Elder Abuse Working group, assists the National District Attorney’s Association with developing elder abuse training curriculum for prosecutors, and serves as Member of the Board and Chair of EMERGE, a batterers’ intervention and parenting skills programs for men who abuse intimate partners. Prior to joining RWU, Professor Sack worked…, Panel 4: Trauma & Civil Litigation: Best Practices for Advocacy and Mitigation of Vicarious Trauma , Many plaintiffs who seek counsel because they or a loved one has endured a tragedy experience trauma that can become overwhelming when faced with the prospect of litigation. Trauma-informed lawyering can decrease the risk of exacerbating trauma, strengthen the attorney-client relationship, and prepare a client for difficult conversations regarding potential outcomes of their case, compensation,…, The Hon. Keith A. Cardoza, Jr., Associate Judge, Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court, Keith A. Cardoza Jr. graduated from Classical High School, the University of Rhode Island, and Roger Williams School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Cardoza was a founding partner at Izzo, Gardner & Cardoza LLP, where he focused on various aspects of civil litigation, including workers'…, Austin L. Dana, Esq., Trial Attorney, Keches Law Group, Austin Dana Esq. is a trial attorney with Keches Law Group. Austin manages the Rhode Island office for the firm. He received his law degree from Northeastern Law School. Afterwards, he worked as a public defender in Springfield MA. Following his time at the public defender’s office, Austin founded the Law Office of Dana and Dana alongside his father where he worked for over a decade. During his…, Jonathan Orent, Jonathan D. Orent, Esq., Attorney at Law, Motley Rice LLC; Adjunct Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law, Jonathan Orent is a distinguished trial lawyer with extensive experience in mass tort litigation, focusing on cases involving defective medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs, and social media addiction. He has held pivotal roles as lead and co-lead counsel in major hernia mesh litigations, including In re Atrium Medical Corp. C-QUR Mesh Products Liability Litigation and In re Davol/C.R. Bard…, Moderator:, Miriam Weizenbaum, Esq., Attorney at Law, DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., Miriam Weizenbaum joined Amato DeLuca in 1995 to establish the Providence law firm of DeLuca & Weizenbaum, now Deluca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens. Ms. Weizenbaum is a trial lawyer whose practice in civil litigation includes representation of people injured by medical errors and negligence, defective products, government and police abuse and other civil rights violations. Ms. Weizenbaum…, Registration, General Admission $50 per person Non-Profit/Government $25 per person RWU Law New Alumni (Classes of 2019-2024) $25 per person Student $15 per person RWU Law Student Complimentary All registrations include lunch and Rhode Island MCLE credits as applicable. RWU Law Symposium - November 15 - Register Here, Rhode Island MCLE Credit, This program is approved for six Rhode Island MCLE Credits including 3.5 legal ethics and 2.5 general credits., RWU Law Campus Parking, All attendees should enter the RWU Campus through the North Entrance entrance and park in Lot D. RWU Parking Map., Special Accommodations, Persons who, because of a special need or condition, would like to request an accommodation for this event should contact the Office of Law Programs & Initiatives at lawevents@rwu.edu , as soon as possible, but no later than 72 business hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made. , Cancellation & Refund Policy, Symposium cancellations received by Thursday, November 7, 2024 are eligible to receive a full refund less a $10 administrative fee. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Cancellations are accepted via email at lawevents@rwu.edu . Questions | Justice for All Editor, , Roger Williams University Law Review, Amy Anthony | aanthony335@g.rwu.edu
Type: Event
