Equal Justice Conference 2005

 September 28 – September 30
Montgomery Bell State Park

∅ Working Toward Access and Advocacy for All

For many years Tennessee’s legal services community has “returned to the park” for this annual conference that brings together all partners in Tennessee’s equal justice community, including the private bar, judiciary, law schools, legal services, pro bono programs, legislators, community service providers, funders, and mediators. A common vision of a justice system available to all Tennesseans unites this network of individuals and organizations. The conference is co–sponsored by the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services and the Tennessee Bar Association.

The 2005 Equal Justice conference is comprised of topical workshops, seminars on practice, ethics forums, as well as a poverty law update. We will also offer workshops on substantive areas like TennCare, housing, family law, consumer issues, and bankruptcy. The three–day conference promises to energize participants to further the cause of access and advocacy for all.

∅ Registration Details

The full registration fee includes all materials and programs, as well as Wednesday evening’s reception and banquet with keynote speaker, Jo–Ann Wallace, executive director of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, Thursday evening’s cookout, two lunches, and all breaks. The cookout will feature “home grown entertainment.” Also, we are pleased that Bill Haltom, president of the Tennessee Bar Association, will join us on Thursday afternoon for an important meeting as part of his “Stand Up and Deliver” initiative. Register on or before September 15 to receive the reduced rate. Casual attire is appropriate for the entire conference. Registration Form

∅ About Montgomery Bell State Park

Montgomery Bell State Park is located 45 minutes west of Nashville, off Interstate 40. The 100+ room lodge, complete with indoor pool and hot tub, was renovated in 2002, with suites and cabins available. The Park is situated on almost 4,000 lakefront acres, with boating activities, a Golf Digest top rated 18–hole golf course, and 20 miles of hiking trails.

∅ Workshops & Presenters for Equal Justice Conference EJC Schedule
Names in bold are CONFIRMED

  • Consumer
    –Fair and Accurate Transactions Act of 2003: Amending the Fair Credit Reporting Act (Dave Tarpley, LASMTC – Nashville)
    –New Federal Bankruptcy Law (Hank Hildebrand, Chapter 13 Trustee, Nashville)

  • Housing
    –Predatory lending (Webb Brewer, MALS – Memphis)
    –Calculating Rent in HUD–subsidized housing (Drake Holliday, LASMTC – Nashville)
    –Tax Issues Every Family Law Attorney Should Know (Robert Nadler/Mary Gillum, LASMTC – Nashville & Oak Ridge)
    –Fair Housing Update and Debt Collection (Carol Gish, WTLS - Jackson, David Tarpley, LASMTC - Nashville)

  • Health
    –TennCare I (Gordon Bonnyman, Michele Johnson, Lenny Croce, TJC, LASMTC – Oak Ridge)
    –TennCare II – What TennCare/other insurance is available to our clients
    –Miller Trusts/Nursing Homes (Pam Wright, WTLS – Jackson)
    –Safety Net options – TennHelp (Erik Cole, TALS; Karen Franklin, NASW TN Chapter, Shawn L. Caster, TJC - Nashville)
    –Medicare Part D training (Lucy Utt, SHIP Program)
    –Session for DCS attorneys and TennCare Advocacy Staff (Betty Moore, TALS)
    –Title III attorneys session (Lucy Utt, SHIP Program)

  • Family
    –Child support changes (Chris Church, LASMTC - Clarksville)
    –Orders of Protection (Chris Church, LASMTC - Clarksville, Deb Yeomans, LAET – Johnson City)

  • Benefits
    –How to cross examine vocational expert at Social Security hearing (Mike Williamson, private attorney - Nashville)

  • Immigrant/Alien/Migrant Worker Issues
    –Alien Eligibility for LSC – Funded Legal Services (Douglas Stevick, SMLS)
    –Title VI – LEP (Jennifer Rosenbaum, SMLS, Sharmila Murthy, LASMTC - Nashville, Barbara Futter, LASMTC - Murfreesboro)

  • Skills
    –Mediation (Deb House, LAET - Cleveland, Linda W. Seely, MALS - Memphis, Frank Cantrell, MALS - Memphis)
    –Skills Track for attorneys with 1-5 years of experience (Mark Stephens, Public Defender, Sixth Judicial District, Doug Blaze, Jerry Black, and Tom Galligan, University of Tennessee College of Law)

  • Ethics
    –Cultural Sensitivity: Training on Ethics/Professionalism (Kathy Story, J.D., University of Memphis) three sessions offered
    –Working Session: Leadership Initiative (Jo-Ann Wallace, President, NLADA)
    –LSC Regulations for Dummies (Douglas Stevick, SMLS)

  • Practice
    –Community Education Adinah Robertson and Bev Adcock, LASMTC – Nashville, Others TBD)
    –Technology (Connie Beale, LASMTC - Tullahoma, Chris Church, LASMTC – Clarksville, Lucinda Smith, Nashville ProBono Project)
    –Legal Research through Westlaw Training (David Martin, WestLaw) two sessions offered
    –Legislative Review and Update (Stewart Clifton, TALS - Nashville; Mike Murphy, TALS - Nashville)
    –Katrina Disaster Response Discussion (Linda W. Seely, MALS - Memphis)
    –Community Economic Development (Erik Cole, TALS, Becky Rhodes, Others TBD)

    • EJC Schedule