Friday, February 8, 2013
8:30 a.m.
Overview of Program
Beth S. Posner, Adjunct Professor of Law, UNC School of Law
9:00 a.m.
The Fundamentals of Domestic Violence
Suzanne M. Chester, Clinical Assistant Professor of Law and Beth S.
Posner, Adjunct Professor of Law, UNC School of Law
This session provides a framework
for understanding domestic violence cases and explore why they require
additional skill and training for lawyers. The presenters will delve into the cultural context in order to gain
a better understand of domestic violence and help participants appreciate the
many barriers clients face that affect representation. The workshop will also
focus on tactics employed by perpetrators and coping mechanisms often utilized
by victims.
11:30 a.m.
Screening for Domestic Violence
Sara J. Simberg, Legal Aid of North Carolina and Matthew F. Stauff, Legal Aid of North Carolina
Some clients easily identify as having been abused.
Most do not. This session builds upon the previous one by providing tools to
assist lawyers in identifying domestic violence cases, eliciting information on
the specific power and control tactics the client experiences in order to
adequately assess legal remedies. The session also explores client privacy and
confidentiality concerns and how they may affect representation.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch (Included)
1:30 p.m.
Holistic Legal Response
Valene K. Franco, Managing Attorney, Legal Aid of North Carolina and Marie Hopper, Hopper Cummings
Attorneys
representing clients experiencing domestic violence will need to consider the
legal and non-legal
implications of legal actions taken on behalf of the client. In order to
provide a holistic legal response, this session will also look at the non-legal needs of clients and how to facilitate services
beyond the scope of your representation to help clients obtain control over
their lives.
2:50 p.m.
Safety and Autonomy (PR)
TeAndra H. Miller, Legal Aid of North Carolina and Amy Vukovich, Legal Aid of North Carolina
This
session examines the critical importance of safety as a fundamental and on-going concern for your client and yourself
throughout the course of your representation and how safety concerns drive any
legal interventions. This session will also address the importance of working
collaboratively with community and systems-based advocates to help facilitate client safety. This session stresses the critical importance of the maintenance of professional and ethical boundaries in representing clients experiencing domestic violence.
4:20 p.m.
Wrap Up and Q&A
Suzanne M. Chester, Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
4:30 p.m.
Adjourn