8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Representing Children in Juvenile, Probate and Family Court

Children require legal representation in a variety of contexts: child protection and delinquency proceedings; adoptions; probate court guardianships over minors, paternity and unusual third party custody situations. This session explores the unique issues involved in representing children, including: assessing a child's capacity to participate in the process; responding to judicial requests to interview a child; interacting with other caretakers (county social workers, probation officers, child psychologists, residential treatment facilities, foster parents, relatives, and guardians ad litem); and the complying with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Gary Debele
Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A.
Minneapolis

10:00 - 10:05 a.m.

BREAK

10:05 - 11:05 a.m.

Marital Dissolutions in Minnesota: A Primer

An overview of a marriage dissolution action including resources and tips for attorneys representing low income clients. The focus will be on the basic pleadings and procedures involved in marriage dissolutions both with and without children.

Mark Carter
Carter Legal Services, P.A.
Hopkins

11:05 - 11:10 a.m.

BREAK

11:10 - 12:10 p.m.

The Basics of Immigration Law

Learn to spot common issues facing low-income immigration clients. The session will introduce basic immigration concepts, including red flags for attorneys unfamiliar with immigration law. Participants will learn how to spot key issues, how to find mentors, and where to refer clients for immigration assistance.

Michele Garnett McKenzie
Emily Good
The Advocates for Human Rights
Minneapolis

12:10 - 1:10 p.m.

LUNCH (on your own)

1:10 - 2:10 p.m.

Real World Ethics: Advising the Disadvantaged

1.0 ethics credit applied for

Every Minnesota lawyer should aspire to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono work each year. Make sure it is rewarding, not intimidating. Get answers to your questions about the ethics of pro bono representation and advising the disadvantaged, including the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct. Includes a discussion of client competency issues, conflicts of interest, establishing client boundaries, unbundling, and much more!

Patrick R. Burns
Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility
St. Paul

2:10 - 2:15 p.m.

BREAK

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

What You Need to Know About Government Benefit Programs

In order to be a good advocate for your clients, you need to know what options they have. In this important and informative session, you will learn about many of the major state and federal benefits programs: what services they offer, what populations they serve; program requirements; and much more!

Laura S. Melnick
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
St. Paul

3:15 p.m.

ADJOURN