Conferences & Symposia

First Annual Veterans' Legal Assistance Conference

Friday, April 17, 2009

Join us as we examine the current state of legal and ancillary services for veterans, including a legislative update, a discussion of the challenges of bringing a veterans' benefits case and a look at several new initiatives for veterans.

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The University of Maryland School of Law
500 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

This conference is designed for law students, lawyers, policy makers and other service professionals interested in veterans' issues.

To register, contact Jon Moseley, Director of Volunteer Services & Community Outreach, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland at 410-837-9379 or jmoseley@probonomd.org.

Agenda

9 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Current Challenges Facing Maryland Veterans
Speakers include Brigadier General (and former Judge) Frederic Nelson Smalkin; William Kenan Torrans, Chief Senior Investigator in the Department of Labor's USERRA and Veterans' Preference Division; Lois Cramer, Assistant Director for Housing Services for Baltimore County; and Meg Ferguson, Coordinator of Veterans’ Affairs for Baltimore County.

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Policy Updates and Legislative Initiatives Affecting Veterans
Speakers include Steven Berg, Vice President for Programs and Policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness; Cheryl Beversdorf, President and CEO, The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; Kimberly Ross, Staff Director for the Veteran's Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs; and Juan Lara, Staff Director and Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veteran's Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity (EO).

Noon - 1:15 p.m.
Lunch with Keynote Speaker
"Challenges Facing Maryland Veterans and How the Legal Community Can Help"
Brigadier General James A. Adkins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Maryland and Adjutant General for the State of Maryland; and Paul Hutter, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Veterans' Benefits Training
This training for pro bono lawyers with Michael Taub will instruct them on how to handle a Veterans Benefits case from start to finish. Each participant will be expected to accept one pro bono case.

Conference organizers include The Homeless Persons Representation Project, The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, The University of Maryland School of Law Leadership in Public Service Program, and The Military Law Committee of the Maryland State Bar.

Additional support is being provided by the Reuben Shiling Mental Health Law Fund and the Law and Health Care Program at the University of Maryland School of Law.