Pro Bono Summit and Volunteer Training

Event Description

Join us for Pro Bono Week 2024 ! Summit Event

Hybrid Participation / In Person - Social Hour with a Headshot Opportunity!

Afternoon Event:

Get CLE credits and learn how to get involved with Pro Bono!  Receive an overview on three areas of law that will prepare you to help individuals with common legal issues in the areas of immigration, consumer debt, and criminal expungement.

Proposed Summit Schedule:

1:00 pm – Opening Remarks
1:05 pm to 2:05 pm – Session 1 | Update on Pardoning Criminal Expungement Laws in MN
2:05 pm to 3:05 pm – Session 2 | Debt Demystified: Mastering Consumer Debt Litigation Defenses
3:10 pm to 4:10 pm – Session 3 | Update on the New Immigration HUB
4:15 pm – Program Closing Remarks 

4:20 pm – 5:30 PM: Social Hour with a Headshot Opportunity

Program Descriptions of Sessions:

Session 1: Update on Pardoning Criminal Expungement Laws in MN

Description: Minnesota pardoning and expungement laws have recently undergone many exciting changes that may substantially impact the lives of our clients. Join us as we discuss these changes and review some available volunteer opportunities.

Presenters/Panelists: 

Nilushi Ranaweera , Assistant Attorney General | Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
Professor Jon Geffen | Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Session 2: Debt Demystified: Mastering Consumer Debt Litigation Defenses

Description: Join us for an introductory-level CLE that touches on the essentials of debt defense for pro bono attorneys looking to expand their expertise. The training will review the recent 2023 MSBA Access to Justice Committee report on Minnesota Consumer Debt Litigation, an overview of the debt collection process, and the basics of consumer debt collection defenses including affirmative defenses that include recent updates to Minnesota law around coerced debt.

Presenters/Panelists: 

John Buhta , Staff Attorney | Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. (SMRLS)
Dan Morris , Executive Director | Central Minnesota Legal Services (CMLS)

Session 3: Update on the New Immigration HUB

Description:The Hub is a new initiative amongst the five immigration legal service organizations to increase access to immigration legal services across Minnesota. Join us to learn more about the Hub's work to better serve immigrants in our communities and about pro bono opportunities that are available.

Presenters: 

Theresa Dykoschak, Pro Bono Director | The Advocates for Human Rights

Katherine Veldhuizen , Immigration Legal Hub initiative Manager | The Advocates for Human Rights

 

CLE Credits:

3.0 Standard CLE Credits | Event Code: TBD

Cost:

Free for ALL

Registration Deadline: October 21, 2024. To register after that time, email the program manager.

Remote Participation: Remote instructions will be emailed to you the day prior to the event.

Program Contacts: Dana Miner: dminer@mnbars.org | Geen Mui (registration):  gmui@mnbars.org

Payments/Cancellations:  Please register online or over the phone by credit card whenever possible. If you must pay by check, please use this registration form. Need to cancel? Please see our cancellation policy.

Accommodations: We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all members can participate fully. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please notify the program manager with at least 72 hours notice prior to the meeting to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for accommodations. Thank you.

Register for this Event

Register

DATE
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
TIME

1:00 PM to 5:30 PM

VENUE
Lathrop GPM
80 South 8th Street
500 IDS Center
Minneapolis, MN 55402