Equal Justice University 2026: Full Schedule

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10:00am PDT

Wednesday August 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT

An introduction to Chapter 13 bankruptcy: how it compares to Chapter 7; the key requirements for obtaining confirmation of a plan; and the options for modifying a plan after confirmation.

Speakers

James M Davis

James M. Davis is a staff attorney in the office of Henry E. Hildebrand, III, the Chapter 13 Standing Trustee for the Middle District of Tennessee. Mr. Davis is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and the William and Mary School of Law in Williamsburg... Read More →

10 1130 Davis Chapter 13 Basics (EJU) Final pptx

Wednesday August 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

1:15pm PDT

Let's Talk About It: Building Better Workplaces Through Generational Dialogue

Wednesday August 26, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

Avoiding hard conversations creates disconnect, and in today’s multigenerational workplace, silence can be costly. This interactive session invites participants to lean into the conversations many teams avoid, creating space for honest, respectful dialogue across generations. Together, we’ll explore how generational experiences shape communication styles, expectations, and approaches to work. Participants will learn practical strategies to move beyond assumptions, navigate tension with empathy, and foster a culture rooted in trust and mutual understanding. Grounded in strengths-based leadership and real-world application, this session equips leaders and team members alike with tools to turn generational differences into opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and stronger workplace culture.

Speakers

Derria Ford

Derria L. Ford is an accomplished nonprofit leader, strategist, and speaker with nearly two decades of experience advancing equity, opportunity, and community through philanthropy and leadership. As Chief Development Officer at the Martha O’Bryan Center, she leads a diverse team... Read More →

Suzanne Hartness

M. Suzanne Hartness is a seasoned management consultant and former Chief Operating Officer of a mid-size Nashville law firm, where she led operations in human resources, finance, IT, facilities, and strategic planning for over six years. With more than 20 years of leadership experience... Read More →

115 215 Ford Let's Talk About It Intergenerational Communications Final.pptx pdf

Wednesday August 26, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

2:30pm PDT

Family Law & Bankruptcy: Divorce and Debt and No Dollars

Wednesday August 26, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

A basic overview of issues at the intersection of family law and bankruptcy that introduces key concepts such as marital debts in bankruptcy, dischargeable versus nondischargeable obligations, and how bankruptcy can affect ongoing family law cases and vice versa.

Speakers

Alise Housden

Alise Housden is an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. Before coming to LAS, she previously represented over 2,000 debtors in Chapter 7 bankruptcies, Chapter 13 bankruptcies, and several adversary proceedings. She currently practices housing... Read More →

Dean Hinton

Since October 6, 2016, Dean has been a Legal Aid domestic relations attorney representing survivors of domestic violence in Sumner County and the 15th Judicial District. Dean graduated from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law in May 2010. He... Read More →

230 330 Housden Handouts 1 FL and BK Divorce, Debt, and No Dollars ABA PP Coerced Debt Handout 1 of 2 pdf

230 330 Housden Fam Law and Bankruptcy Divorce, Debt, and No Dollars PPT Alise Housden and Dean Hinton 8 5 2026 pptx

230 330 Housden Handouts 2 FL and BK Divorce, Debt, and No Dollrs Bartenwerfer Coerced Debt Handout 2 of 2 pdf

Wednesday August 26, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

3:45pm PDT

A Campaign to Increase Access to Stable, Affordable Housing

Wednesday August 26, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

Tennessee’s tenant screening protections project grew out of a statewide collaboration led by Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM) and the Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project to address unfair tenant screening practices and expand housing access across Tennessee. After participating in Unlocked: Opening the Door to Housing Access Through Tenant Screening Protections—an eight-week national Solutions Sprint hosted by Results for America and partner organizations—the team built a 20-person campaign focused on public education, community-informed research, advocacy with state and local leaders, and the development of a policy agenda for tenant screening protections.

Speakers

Shirley Bondon

Shirley Bondon is the Executive Director of the Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis (BCCM). She is a licensed attorney and an accomplished and passionate Change Agent with a wealth of experience and proven talent, leveraging creative aptitude and business acumen to drive industry-leading... Read More →

Adam Hughes

Adam Hughes is the East TN Organizer for Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM), a 54-year-old member driven organization based in Tennessee. With over a decade as an organizer with SOCM, Adam has worked on issue-based campaigns in counties across East TN ranging... Read More →

345 445 Bondon A Campaign to Increase Access to Stable, Affordable Housing pptx

Wednesday August 26, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Mirabella C

10:00am PDT

1:15pm PDT

2:30pm PDT

3:45pm PDT

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