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Representing the Pro Bono Client: Advocacy Skills for Administrative Hearings 2013 (Free Webcast)

Topics:
  • Continuing Legal Education Program (CLE)
  • Webinar

The Practising Law Institute is offering a free webcast of a presentation being offered live in San Francisco entitled Representing the Pro Bono Client: Advocacy Skills for Administrative Hearings 2013 on October 3, 2013 at 12:00 pm Eastern.

Why you should attend

The need for pro bono assistance with administrative hearings has never been higher. The increase trend of employers challenging all Unemployment Benefits claims has been combined with the explosion of UI claims during the recession. The recession and aging of the workforce has resulted in an increase in disability-based Social Security claims. Budget cuts and program changes have created a "perfect storm" for public assistance recipients, and delays in obtaining much needed benefits.

Several significant changes to key benefits programs have occurred in recent years, imposing new complex rules. At the same time, county staff has shrunk, and experienced workers retired, increasing the occurrence of administrative errors and problems with client's receipt of the benefits to which they are entitled. Legal Services also suffered staffing cuts, with reduced ability to represent clients in these cases. Unfortunately, many individuals who are owed desperately needed funds, or who have had their benefits improperly lowered or terminated, cannot make it through the appeals system without the benefit of legal counsel to guide them through the process or to vigorously defend against unlawful actions. As a result, families face the very real possibility of loss of income, hunger, homelessness, and overall family instability.

This training is designed to help mitigate the crisis by providing attorneys with a basic understanding of common issues and strategies in providing assistance with administrative appeals.

What you will learn
  • The types of administrative hearings low income clients most frequently need - Special focus on SSI, Unemployment, and Social Services ("welfare") claims; Labor Commissioner wage claims, occupational licenses
  • Common advocacy strategies and procedures for administrative hearings
  • Obtaining evidence
  • Position statements/hearing briefs
  • Presenting your case
  • Rehearings and Appeals
Who should attend

All attorneys interested in or currently assisting pro bono clients with public benefits matters through representation or in clinical settings, law firm pro bono coordinators, managers and partners, law clinic students and faculty, and public interest and non-profit organization attorneys and staff would benefit from attending this program.

Faculty

Chairperson(s)

  • Jodie Berger ~ Regional Counsel, Legal Services of Northern California

Speaker(s)

  • Lisa Lunsford ~ Managing Attorney, Homeless Action Center
  • Carole Vigne ~ Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society - Employment Law Center
  • Dian Vorters ~ Administrative Law Judge, California Office of Administrative Hearings
  • Steven Weiss ~ Regional SSI Advocacy Coordinator, Bay Area Legal Aid

Program Attorney(s)

  • Christina Thompson ~ Program Attorney, Practising Law Institute

More Information and Registration

  • CLE Credit Comments:

    CLE-PA Credits
    Credit Status: Approved
    Total Credits: 3.00
    General: 3.00

    Credit may be granted to an attorney who views a live webcast individually. There is a 4.0 credit limit per year for this type of viewing.

  • Contact:
    Practising Law Institute
  • Website: www.pli.edu