Immigration Law 2023 - In-Person
The need for legal representation in immigration proceedings is greater than ever. Build your skills for advancing the rights of non-citizens who are seeking refuge in the U.S.
In the morning, we will focus on zealous immigration advocacy and practice before the immigration courts, asylum, and working with survivors of trauma. The afternoon sessions will include a variety of topics, including advocating for release from immigration detention as well as advocacy and protections available for children and survivors of crime. We will conclude with a mock immigration court hearing.
Your distinguished faculty witness and navigate the impact of current realities of immigration policy on a daily basis. They will help you acquire and polish your immigration law skills, and ensure your knowledge is current.
The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal services to children and to individuals in immigration detention. RMIAN provides daily know-your-rights presentations, individual intakes, pro se assistance, and legal representation for those detained at the federal immigration detention facility in Aurora. RMIAN’s Children’s Program represents children and families who have survived abandonment, abuse, persecution, or other violence, and provides technical assistance and community education throughout the state on children’s immigration law issues. Unable to meet the overwhelming need for legal services, RMIAN refers both detention and children’s cases to its network of pro bono attorneys. RMIAN screens pro bono cases, writes referral memorandums, and provides professional liability insurance and a mentor attorney for each pro bono attorney.
CBA-CLE will email webinar access information to registrants 24-48 hours before the program.
Home studies will be available approximately 2-3 weeks following the live program.
If disability accommodations or special assistance are needed, please contact us at [email protected]. Requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the scheduled program.
The program will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Colorado. If you need to seek accreditation in another state, please review the process and requirements for that individual state. CBA-CLE staff can provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance, and it is the attendee’s responsibility to complete the accreditation outside of Colorado.
8:30 – 9:00 am
Registration and Coffee
9:00 – 9:05 am
Welcome Remarks
Extended by Mekela Goehring, Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (“RMIAN”), and Susie McNulty, Esq., Program Attorney, CBA-CLE
9:05 – 9:20 am
Overview of Pro Bono at RMIAN
Presented by Jenny Regier, Esq., Detention Program Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, RMIAN
9:20 – 10:20 am
Setting the Landscape: The ABCs of Zealous Immigration Advocacy
• Introduction to immigration proceedings
• Overview of ways to win immigration status for your client
• Entering appearance, entering pleadings, and MCH v. ICH
• Preparing your clients and witnesses and building a record
• Appellate review
Presented by Jennaweh Hondrogiannis, Esq., Somos Immigration Law, and Laura Shoaps, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, RMIAN
10:20 – 10:30 am
Stretch Break
10:30 – 11:30 am
Asylum Law 101
• Review of recent policy changes
• Overview of asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture
• Introduction to preparing evidence for an asylum merits hearing
Presented by Eric Pavri, Esq., Senior Community Resource Attorney, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, and Sabrina Sameshima, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, RMIAN
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Working with Survivors of Trauma and Incorporating JEDI into Client Practices
• Working with survivors of trauma
• JEDI-informed practice
• Best practices for working with interpreters
Presented by Daisy Gavarrete, MSW, SWC, Social Worker, RMIAN and Jennifer Nelson, Esq., Legal Orientation Program Supervisory Attorney, RMIAN
Submitted for 1.0 EDI Credit
12:30 – 1:00 pm
Lunch and Introduction to RMIAN’s Language Matters Committee
(Lunch included with tuition)
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Breakout Session (A): Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
• SIJS Predicate Order
• SIJS Petition, the Visa Bulletin, and Adjustment of Status
Presented by Ashley Turner Harrington, Esq., Children’s Program Managing Attorney, RMIAN, and Richard Wedgle, Esq.
Breakout Session (B): How Do I Get Out? Fighting Your Case for Freedom
• Overview of options for release from immigration detention while fighting an immigration case
• Presenting a bond matter before the immigration court
• Nuts and bolts of requesting release from DHS
• Introduction to habeas
Presented by Laura Lunn, Esq., Director of Advocacy & Litigation, RMIAN, Humberto Prospero, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN, and Joshua Russcol, Esq., Chan Law Firm
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Breakout Session (C): Advocating for Survivors of Crime
• Overview of VAWA/U/T
• Practical tips for representing survivors of crime
Presented by Emily Brock, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, RMIAN, Alyssa Reed, Esq., Reed Immigration, LLC, and Caleb Stewart, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, Anti-Human Trafficking Project, RMIAN
Breakout Session (D): Preparing for Trial
• Practical tips on gathering evidence, working with experts, conducting direct examinations, and making objections
Presented by Conor Gleason, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, RMIAN
3:00 – 3:10 pm
Stretch Break
3:10 – 4:10 pm
Mock Immigration Hearing
• Observe a team of experienced immigration attorneys conduct a master calendar hearing and portions of a merits hearing for an individual applying for asylum, followed by a Q&A session about immigration court practice, and an evaluation of what worked well and what could have been improved during the hearings.
Presented by Paulina Cook, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN, Christine Dutko, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN, Laura Lunn, Esq., Director of Advocacy & Litigation, RMIAN, and Savannah Meroney, Esq., Children’s Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, RMIAN
4:10 – 5:00 pm
Reception
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $529.00 |
| CBA Member | $399.00 |
| CBA Immigration Law Section Member | $319.00 |
| New Lawyer Edge Partner | $199.50 |
| Paralegal or Legal Support Staff | $199.50 |
| Active Military | $199.50 |
| Public Service/Government | $199.50 |
| Yes! I want to take a Pro Bono Case in the coming year | $75.00 |
| Yes! I want to take a Pro Bono Case in the coming year | $75.00 |
| Student Currently Enrolled in Law School | $20.00 |
| CLEACCESSPASS---ELITE Pass Holder | $20.00 |
- General Credits: 7.00
- Ethics Credits:
- EDI Credits: 1.00
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