Law Review Symposium
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 phrase “justice for all” is supposed to be a foundational principle of American law. Yet, for those among the lower rungs of society, justice remains elusive. The legal system routinely disenfranchises people based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other immutable characteristics, and legal actors who are supposed to ensure access for all instead uphold these exclusions by denying people equal treatment under the law. All people, regardless of their position in society, deserve access to legal representation and education.
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 violence, sexual assault, and significant mental and physical harm, adapting litigation strategy to account for trauma, and preventing vicarious trauma.
Meet the Keynote Speaker
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 trafficking survivors. Ms. Beck also serves as an adjunct lecturer in law at USC Gould School of Law and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, teaching the Trauma-Informed Legal Skills course.
Ms. Beck previously served as the President & Managing Attorney of Free to Thrive, a Southern California-based nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing justice and transforming the legal system for human trafficking survivors through legal services, education, and policy advocacy. She has over a decade of experience representing human trafficking survivors in a variety of legal matters including domestic violence restraining orders, child custody, divorce, name and gender changes and victim’s rights representation.
Ms. Beck also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer in Law at USC Gould School of Law and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law teaching the course Trauma-Informed Legal Skills. She serves on the Dean’s Board of Advisors for the University of San Diego Kroc School of Peace Studies. Ms. Beck has trained thousands of attorneys, students, stakeholders and community members on human trafficking and trauma-informed practices. Ms. Beck graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law where she was a member of the 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 explore how to provide “competent representation” of clients who have experienced trauma and the skills that every attorney needs, regardless of practice area, to communicate with and respond to these clients.
- Chelsea M. Donaldson, Esq., LMSW, Supervising Attorney, Veterans Benefits and Military Unit, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center
- Deeya Haldar, Esq., Associate Professor of Law, Director of the Civil Justice Clinic, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
- Sarah Katz, Esq., Clinical Professor of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law
- Will Sheehan, M.Ed., Esq., Staff Attorney, Safe Passage Project
Moderator: Nicole P. Dyszlewski, Esq., Professor and Assistant Dean for Curricular Innovation, Roger Williams University School of Law
Student Moderator: Samuel Filiaggi, JD Candidate, Roger Williams University School of Law
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel 2: 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 how attorneys can provide these clients with holistic, culturally sensitive representation and consider how physical injuries might affect these clients’ behaviors.
- Erica Hardy, MD, MA, MMSc, Director, Women’s Infectious Disease Consult Service, Women & Infants Hospital
- Alexandra Piñeros-Shields, PhD, Visiting Professor of the Practice of Racial Equity, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University – Invited
- Vanessa Volz, Esq., President & CEO, Sojourner House
Moderator: Emily J. Sack, Esq., Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Keynote Speaker
Jamie Beck, Esq., Founder, President & Managing Attorney, Free to Thrive; Adjunct Lecturer in Law, USC Gould School of Law
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Panel 3: 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 relationships, an understanding of the school-to-prison pipeline, and awareness of the challenges they may face at home or in school.
- Meagan Fitzgerald, CCLS, Manager of Advocacy & Prevention, Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr., Child Protection Center
- Miyah Grant, Psy.D., Psychologist, RI Family Court Mental Health Clinic
- Michael Gregory, Esq., Clinical Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Faculty Director, Youth Advocacy & Policy Lab
- Larome Myrick, Executive Director, Rhode Island Training School
Moderator: Martsyl Joseph, Esq., Professor of Legal Practice, Roger Williams University School of Law
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM Break
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
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, and how to move forward. Panelists will also discuss strategies for mitigating vicarious trauma when working on challenging cases.
- John Barylick, Esq., Attorney at Law; Chief Justice Weisberger Visiting Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law
- Austin L. Dana, Esq., Trial Attorney, Keches Law Group
- Jonathan D. Orent, Esq., Attorney at Law, Motley Rice LLC; Adjunct Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law
Moderator: Anthony Leone, Esq. Attorney at Law, Leone Law, LLC; Adjunct Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law
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 enterance 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.
Cancellaion & 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