Equal Justice University 2026: Full Schedule

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8:30am PDT

Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT

Come sit in on a mock Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Meeting! IEP Meetings are the core of special education representation, but it can be hard to find real-life opportunities to practice. These meetings require real-time negotiation with an opposing party while your clients, one of which is a minor, is present, which can raise interesting issues with regards to ethics and client relationships, in addition to subject matter. Participants will have opportunities to debrief key decision points throughout this interactive session.

Speakers

Jasmine Miller

Jasmine Ying Miller is a Staff Attorney at Youth Law Center, based in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. Her work focuses on the intersection between juvenile justice, child welfare and education systems, including special education and transitions to postsecondary education... Read More →

Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

10:15am PDT

Issue Spotting Checklist for Detainer Cases

Thursday August 27, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT

Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

Unlawful detainer cases move quickly through the court system. Learn how to read through a Detainer summons to evaluate defenses in the blink of an eye!

Handouts will be distributed during the class.

Speakers

Emily O'Donnell

Emily O’Donnell is Managing Attorney for the Eviction Prevention Initiative at Legal Aid of East Tennessee. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of the South, Sewanee, TN and her law degree at Georgia State University College of Law... Read More →

Thursday August 27, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

1:15pm PDT

Immigration 101

Thursday August 27, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

This session will provide a basic overview of immigration law, including common terminology and the government agencies involved in implementing the laws and regulations. The session will also introduce some of the immigration options available to noncitizens and cover recent law changes.

Speakers

Chay Sengkhounmany

Chay Sengkhounmany is the Lead Immigration Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Middle TN and the Cumberlands. At Legal Aid Society, Chay directs the Survivors Immigration Legal (SIL) Project and provides immigration legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault... Read More →

2026.08.27 Immigration Basics pptx

Thursday August 27, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

2:30pm PDT

Navigating the Social Security Administration: Options for Advocates

Thursday August 27, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

Over the past 18 months, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has experienced a turbulent period marked by far-reaching organizational changes: the deepest staffing reductions in its history, office restructuring, inconsistent and shifting policies on accessing walk-in service at field offices, and increased reliance on automated and online systems. These changes have had a significant impact on the ability of advocates who serve claimants and beneficiaries to interact with the agency. This session will outline the current state of customer service at SSA and equip advocates with practical strategies for getting things done within the agency.

Speakers

Kate Lang

Kate joined Justice in Aging in 2012 and currently serves as Director of Federal Income Security. She focuses on improving access to Supplemental Security Income and Social Security benefits for older adults and people with disabilities at the Social Security Administration. She provides... Read More →

230 330 Handouts Lang Navigating SSA Common Scenarios Resource pdf

230 330 Handouts Lang SSA Customer Service Challenges Survey Results June 2026 pdf

230 330 Lang Navigating SSA TN EJU Presentation 08.27.2026 pptx

Thursday August 27, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

3:45pm PDT

Introducing the New Outlook & LegalServer 5

Thursday August 27, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT

Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

Legal aid organizations are navigating forced, externally driven technology changes at the same time they are being asked to improve consistency, efficiency, and collaboration. New Outlook is being defaulted for many Microsoft 365 users and will become unavoidable over the next few years. LegalServer 5 represents a significant shift in interface, navigation, and workflow expectations. Staff frustration, uneven adoption, and workarounds are already emerging. Without structured training, these changes risk: Reduced productivity Increased staff burnout Data quality issues. Fragmentation across offices. EJU provides a unique opportunity to normalize these transitions, provide shared language, and align technology change with mission and strategy.

Speakers

Holly Fuller

Holly Fuller is the Director of Operations and a Staff Attorney at Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Licensed in Tennessee since 2013, she practices primarily in landlord‑tenant and general civil law while overseeing firm‑wide operations, technology systems, and vendor relationships... Read More →

Kathryn Avent-Mann

Kathryn Avent-Mann is an efficient and reliable administrative professional with more than 35 years of experience supporting a legal nonprofit organization. She brings a diverse skill set that includes over 30 years of experience in Microsoft systems administration, technology management... Read More →

Vince Morris

Vince Morris joined the Legal Aid Society in 2023 as Director of Compliance and Legal Technology after relocating to Nashville from Little Rock, Arkansas, where he practiced criminal defense and domestic relations law. He began his career in legal aid as an intern and spent over... Read More →

345 445 Fuller Handouts docx

345 445 Fuller Handouts 2026 EJU LS5 Handout Morris A pdf

345 445 Fuller Final Outlook and LS 5 Presentation Holly VM pptx

Thursday August 27, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
Embassy Suites- Broadlands A

8:30am PDT

10:15am PDT

1:15pm PDT

2:30pm PDT

3:45pm PDT

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