2nd Annual Licensed Legal Paraprofessional (LLP) Practicum
Building on the success of its inaugural year, the second annual LLP Practicum offers a more practice-oriented experience for Colorado’s Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals. Designed with feedback from last year’s practicum and informed by insights gained during nearly a year of LLPs in active practice, this two-day practicum strengthens participants’ client interaction skills, courtroom readiness, and attorney collaboration.
Highlights include:
- Enhanced small-group skill-building sessions led by attorneys, judges, and experienced LLP mentors, providing participants with direct feedback on intake practices, courtroom presentation, evidentiary issues, and client transitions from unbundled to full representation.
- Expanded collaboration between LLPs and attorneys, with presentations and panels that explore co-counseling dynamics and other interactions.
Dedicated networking opportunities
This practicum is ideal for current LLPs, LLP candidates, attorneys with foreign degrees, and family law support professionals.
DBA MVL Pro Bono Work and Discounted Tuition
Commit to pro bono work for DBA Metro Volunteer Lawyers and attend for only $99. *
The Pro Bono Rate is available to people attending the CLE in-person (no home study option) and who do the following by the end of 2026:
Volunteer with MVL three times in either the Family Law Court Program or the Family Law Advice and Guidance Program (FLAG), which has in-person and virtual opportunities. Learn more at www.denbar.org/mvl
You don’t have to live in the Denver Metro Area in order to participate! You may volunteer with MVL in the FLAG program that provides virtual consultation opportunities.
*If you do not satisfy these terms by the end of 2026, you will be invoiced for the difference between the reduced and full tuition rate.
Home studies will be available 2-3 weeks following the live program.
CBA-CLE is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and employment. To request an ccommodation please contact [email protected] at least 14 business days in advance.
The program is accredited in Colorado. CBA-CLE staff can provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance, and it is the attendee's responsibility to complete the accreditation outside of Colorado.
Day 1
Monday, June 23, 2025
8:20 – 8:50 am
Registration and Breakfast
8:50 – 9:00 am
Welcome and Introduction to the CBA, DBA, and their Access to Justice Programs
Extended by Jody Davis, Esq., CBA-CLE Program Attorney, and Leadership from the Colorado Bar Association, Annie Martinez, Esq., President of the Denver Bar Association, and Anthony Pereira, Esq., Manager of Metro Volunteer Lawyers
9:00 – 9:50 am
LLP Panel – What I Wish I Would Have Known
Panelists include Lea Ann Lyster, LLP, The Harris Law Firm, PLLP, Maria Jose Murray, LLP, MJM Family Works LLC, and Hannah M. Schoeninger, LLP, The Jane Law Group, PLLC
Moderated by Kyle Melchior, LLP, Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd.
9:55 – 10:45 am
Intakes, Types of Representation, Mock Intake Demonstration
Presented by Amy Goscha, Esq., Kalamaya | Goscha, and Kyle Melchior, LLP, Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd.
10:45 – 11:00 am
Morning Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Skill-Building: Guided Small Group Mock Intakes
Participants will practice intake skills in small groups, focusing on distinguishing unbundled and traditional representation. The small groups will be led by faculty mentors.
12:00 – 12:50 pm
Lunch (included in registration fee)
CBA-CLE can provide vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options if attendees note their dietary needs during registration.
12:50 – 1:40 pm
Transition to Full Representation and Collaboration with an Attorney
Presented by Katherine (Katy) O. Ellis, Esq., The Harris Law Firm, PLLP, Krista N. Kaufmann, CDFA, LLP, Do Divorce Well, and Lea Ann Lyster, LLP, The Harris Law Firm, PLLP
1:40 – 1:50 pm
Transition to Small Groups
1:50 – 2:50 pm
Guided Small Group Discussion: Transitioning Clients to Full Representation or Attorney Engagement
Participants will discuss strategies for guiding clients as they move from unbundled services to broader legal representation and connecting with an attorney when needed. The small groups will be led by faculty mentors.
2:50 – 3:00 pm
Afternoon Break and Return to Main Classroom
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Courtroom Etiquette, Opening and Closing Statements
Presented by Laurence I. Gendelman, Esq., Gendelman Klimas Edwards, Ltd., and Honorable Rayna Gokli, 17th Judicial District Court Judge
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Introduction of Evidence and Objections
Presented by Katie P. Ahles, Esq., Ahles Family Law, PC, Hannah M. Schoeninger, LLP, The Jane Law Group, PLLC, Honorable Marianne Tims, 1st Judicial District Magistrate, and Honorable Jennifer B. Torrington (ret.)
5:00 pm
Adjourn
Participants are given an assignment to prepare opening and closing statements and review exhibits for consideration of evidentiary issues.
Day 2
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
8:30 – 9:00 am
Breakfast
9:00 – 9:50 am
Initial Status Conference and Subsequent Status Conferences
Presented by Honorable Rachel A. Catt, 17th Judicial District Magistrate, Honorable Adam J. Espinosa, 2nd Judicial District Court Judge, and Catherine (Cathy) A. Grazier, LLP, GEM Family Law
9:55 – 11:10 am
Domestic Violence and Trauma Informed Representation
Presented by Honorable Michal Lord-Blegen, 17th Judicial District Court Magistrate, and Rebekah Pfahler, Esq., Colorado Legal Services
11:10 – 11:25 am
Morning Break
11:25 am – 12:15 pm
Modest Means, Meaningful Outcomes: Navigating Mediation and Problem-Solving
Presented by Ashley B. Adabahr, MBA, LLP, Two Roads Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals, LLC, Honorable Angela R. Arkin (ret.), Judicial Arbiter Group (JAG), Inc., and Toni-Anne Nuñez, Esq.
12:15 – 1:00 pm
Lunch (included in registration fee)
CBA-CLE can provide vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options if attendees note their dietary needs during registration.
1:00 – 1:50 pm
Mental Health, Self Care, and Responding to Unprofessionalism
Presented by Laura E. Landon, LLP, Cox Baker Page & Bailey, LLC, J. Ryann Peyton, Esq., Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program, and Honorable Jonathan K. Shamis, 5th Judicial District Court Judge
Submitted for 1.0 Professional Responsibility Credit
1:50 – 2:00 pm
Transition to Small Groups
2:00 – 3:15 pm
Skill-Building: Guided Small Group Trial Skills Part 1
Participants will practice courtroom trial skills in small groups. The small groups will be led by faculty mentors.
3:15 – 3:30 pm
Afternoon Break
3:30 – 4:45 pm
Skill-Building: Guided Small Group Trial Skills Part 2
Participants will practice courtroom trial skills in small groups. The small groups will be led by faculty mentors.
4:45 – 6:00 pm
Networking Happy Hour
Includes Ice Breaker Game and Prizes
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $779.00 |
| CBA Member | $399.00 |
| CBA Family Law Section Member | $319.00 |
| LLP/Paralegal/Legal Support Staff | $249.00 |
| Commit to LLP Pro Bono Service for MVL (Member) | $99.00 |
| Commit to LLP Pro Bono Service for MVL(Non-Member) | $99.00 |
| ELITE Pass Holder | $40.00 |
| Student Currently Enrolled in Law School | $0.00 |
- General Credits: 15.00
- Ethics Credits: 1.00
- EDI Credits:
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