2024 NLADA Annual Conference

Program participants will be able to identify ethical and security risks concerning use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their law practice. The session will explore the fundamentals of GPT technology and demonstrate step-by-step how easy it is for attorneys to build and customize their own GPTs tailored to their specific legal needs.

This interactive session will include reports on developments related to state/territorial legislative funding initiatives aimed at increasing resources for civil legal aid. Updates will be provided on the ABA's data collection process to support funding efforts and on potential federal funding that might be available at the state/territorial or local advocacy levels. Participants will be able to share developments in their states/territories in a roundtable format and learn from others about what has worked, and what has not worked, in raising state/territorial legislative funding and accessing potential federal funding.

This session is designed to build on the workshops we have done for the past few years on how to explain legal aid as constituent services to legislators and their staff. Now that many LSC grantees and other legal aid programs have begun to develop relationships with their federal and state legislators and staff, we want to identify ways to build on and expand those connections, e.g., provide trainings for district caseworkers; involve legislative staff in community outreach efforts. This will be an interactive conversation with the audience asking questions of a panel that includes LSC grantee Executive Directors and civil legal aid practitioners with experience meeting with and educating federal and state legislators and their staff. The panel will also address compliance with LSC lobbying restrictions applicable to LSC grantees in communicating with legislators.

 This presentation will provide an in-depth look at the current landscape of lawyer discipline, with
a spotlight on matters affecting legal-aid practitioners.
The presentation outlines key aspects of the ABA Model Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary
Enforcement, which serve as a foundation for state regulations, as well as a practical guide to state
specific disciplinary procedures. The presentation will highlight the procedures in Michigan,
through investigation by the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission (AGC), which may lead
to public hearings by the Attorney Discipline Board.
The discussion will highlight common issues leading to disciplinary actions, including neglect,
failure to respond to investigation requests, and mishandling client property. Further, the
presentation will address the unique challenges faced by legal services providers, particularly in
maintaining client communications and confidentiality and highlighting the need for competence
and effective caseload management.
The presentation will provide practical advice to lawyers in responding to grievances, including to
promptly address grievances to avoid disciplinary issues and cooperation with defense counsel in
responding to grievances. It also highlights several frequently asked questions about the grievance
process, including revealing client confidences and privileged information, threats of a grievance,
immunity for communication with disciplinary authorities, and mandatory reporting.
Lastly, the presentation will include hypothetical scenarios to illustrate challenges in client
communication, scope of representation, and vetting information provided by clients.
Key takeaways focus on the importance of communication, thorough documentation, and ongoing
training to mitigate risks of disciplinary action.

The MIE Roundtable provides a forum for legal services executive directors and managers to share management concerns and receive peer support and assistance in an informal and confidential setting. This session allows participants to share their most difficult challenges and pressing decisions, and to benefit from the best thinking of their colleagues who share similar concerns and have experience and learning to share, moving the community as a whole forward toward better management and thus better services to clients.

NLADA’s Beacon of Justice Awards honor members of the private bar who are tireless advocates for equal justice. In 2024, applicants addressed Civil & Human Rights -- civil rights defined as guarantees of equal social opportunities and equal protection, regardless of race, religion, or other personal characteristics based on laws, and human rights as guarantees and protections based on one’s rights as a human being.

These panelists, representative of the class of law firms winning 2024 Beacon of Justice Awards, will discuss their firm’s pro bono work, highlighting the civil & human rights work for which they were honored earlier this summer. NLADA President & CEO, April Frazier Camara, will moderate what will be an informative and inspirational conversation.

This panel will make the case that prioritizing technology and data is an investment toward achieving your mission, an opportunity to leverage untapped talent within your organization, and a concrete step toward advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in our professional community.

The panel will feature an executive director, a former paralegal and a former office manager who both evolved into in-house technology experts, and an attorney turned technology consultant. The panelists will advocate for adopting a broad lens to assess who can be a great “tech person” and share concrete advice on how to craft new in-house tech and data roles that set everyone up for success.

The panel will also share the successes of a volunteer-driven mentorship program which supports the professional development and advancement of legal technologists of color.