Immigration Law 2024 - In-Person
Take a pro bono case from RMIAN in the coming year – Attend for ONLY $75
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 begin with a mock immigration court hearing and include a variety of topics, such as advocacy and protections available for children and survivors of crime.
Your distinguished faculty members witness and navigate the impacts of current immigration policies daily. They will help you acquire and refine your immigration law skills while ensuring your knowledge remains up to date.
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.
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 accommodation 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.
8:30 – 9:00 am
Registration and Coffee
9:00 – 9:05 am
Welcome Remarks
Extended by Mekela Goehring, Esq., Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (“RMIAN”), and Susie McNulty, Esq., Program Attorney, CBA-CLE
9:05 – 9:30 am
Overview of Pro Bono at RMIAN
Presented by Savannah Meroney, Esq., Children’s Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, RMIAN, and Jenny Regier, Esq., Detention Program Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, RMIAN
9:30 – 10:30 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 Denis P. da Silva, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN, Jennaweh Hondrogiannis, Esq., Somos Immigration Law, and Laura Shoaps, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, RMIAN
10:30 – 10:45 am
Morning Break
10:45 – 11:45 am
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 Daniel Herrera, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN, Cindy Schlosser, LMSW, Social Worker, RMIAN, and Marisol Solarte-Erlacher, MA, LPC, Trauma Expert
Submitted for 1.0 EDI Credit
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Lunch
(Lunch included with tuition)
12:45 – 1:45 pm
Mock Client Meeting and Immigration Hearing
Observe an experienced immigration attorney conduct a client meeting and immigration hearing(s) 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 meeting and hearing.
Presented by Gabrielle Gile, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN, Laura Lunn, Esq., Director of Advocacy &Litigation, RMIAN, Laura Shoaps, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, RMIAN, and Jaclyn V. Waara, Esq., Staff Attorney
Submitted for 0.6 EDI Credits
1:45 – 2:45 pm
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
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Afternoon Break
3:00 – 3:50 pm
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
• SIJS Predicate Order
• SIJS Petition, the Visa Bulletin, and Adjustment of Status
Presented by Yuliya Levertova, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN and Ashley Turner Harrington, Esq., Children’s Program Managing Attorney, RMIAN
3:50 – 4:35 pm
Advocating for Survivors of Crime
• Overview of VAWA/U/T
• Practical tips for representing survivors of crime
Presented by Alyssa Reed, Esq., Reed Immigration, LLC and Melina Leodas, Esq., Staff Attorney, RMIAN
4:35 – 5:00 pm
RMIAN Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities and Closing Remarks
Presented by Savannah Meroney, Esq., Children’s Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, RMIAN, and Jenny Regier, Esq., Detention Program Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, RMIAN
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Networking Reception
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $529.00 |
| CBA Member | $399.00 |
| CBA Immigration Law Section Member | $319.00 |
| LLP/Paralegal or Legal Support Staff | $199.50 |
| Active Military | $199.50 |
| Public Service/Government/Non-Profit | $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 |
| CLEACCESSPASS---ELITE Pass Holder | $20.00 |
| New Lawyer Edge Partner | $0.00 |
| Student Currently Enrolled in Law School | $0.00 |
- General Credits: 7.00
- Ethics Credits:
- EDI Credits: 1.60
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