Two Day Pre-Conference Skill Seminars

Thursday, March 5, 2009 and Friday, March 6, 2009

Connecting with Congress, Effective Disability Advocacy
Working effectively with decision-makers in Washington and our states is vital to protecting the rights of children with disabilities and ensuring that they get a good education.  This intensive workshop offers the skills and savvy disability advocates need to engage with elected officials for maximum impact.  COPAA leaders will offer an inside look at the legislative landscape and an overview of the pressing priorities we want to see at the top of policymakers’ to-do lists.  Then, Holly Minch, strategic communications professional, will teach professional legislative communication strategies and skills.  Holly has over a decade of experience working with nonprofit organizations around the globe to present effective messages and realize their goals through effective advocacy with elected officials.  Seminar participants will receive practical, hands-on training to hone strong messages, connect with the audience, and drive home crucial policy points.  Teams will apply skills on Friday in meetings with key elected officials and Congressional staffs on Capitol Hill, and convene back at the conference site to discuss future strategies for special education legislative advocacy.
Intended Audience: Open to all attendees
Seminar Leaders: Holly Minch, Robert Berlow, Esq., Jessica Butler, Esq., Denise Marshall, and Wendy Byrnes
Limit: 50 participants

Federal Litigation:  What to Do When Your Slam Dunk Case Crashes
This workshop is for attorneys who have at a minimum some IDEA due process litigation experience.  The program is skills-based, focusing on litigation strategies for use in federal court.  Topics include standards of review, additional evidence, developing the record, complaint drafting, dispositive motions, and techniques of cross-examination, alternative dispute resolution, and attorneys’ fees.  The course features use of an actual case for learning purposes.  This course is designed for “graduates” of COPAA’s IEP and Due Process courses.  Exceptions to the graduation requirements for experienced attorneys will be made on an individual basis. Registrants will be asked to complete a pre-conference questionnaire to determine their level of experience as well as to review a due process order prior to the conference.
Intended Audience: Open to attorneys who have taken COPAA’s IEP and Due Process courses
Seminar Leaders: Selene A. Almazan, Esq., Mark B. Martin, Esq., Alice K. Nelson, Esq., and Jonathan Zimring, Esq. (making a special appearance)
Limit: 50 participants

Advocate Training: Translating the Law into Real Life
This training is for experienced advocates (more than 4 years) who have a good working knowledge of the IDEA and its procedures. The first half of the session will be substantive case law explanation so that participants will learn and understand the necessary case law that will be helpful "at the IEP table." Participants will be provided up-to-date information about U.S. Supreme Court, circuit court, and federal/state cases on various "hot topics" such as and  including: 1) evaluation and eligibility; 2) discipline; 3) appropriateness; 4) ESY; 5) payment for private programs, i.e. private schools, ABA, tutoring, etc. The second half of the session will be a discussion about the differences and approaches and options for advocating: 1) pre-lawyer stage; 2) when the parents have a lawyer; 3) before, during and after due process hearings; and 4) during litigation times, as well as 5) picking up the pieces after the parents have been doing unsuccessful self-help.   
Intended Audience: Open to experienced advocates
Seminar Leaders:Sonja Kerr, Esq. and Pat Howey, Advocate Indiana 
Limit: 50 participants  

Law Student Special Education Law Training Conference
This two day conference is designed for the law student who is interested in practicing special education law.  The presentation style is interactive and seeks maximum participant involvement.  The written materials will provide participants with a thorough background for the presentation, but we will not attempt to cover all the written material in detail. The focus of this training will be on preparing for and conducting a due process hearing under the IDEA.
Intended Audience: Open to law students, experienced advocates and parents
Seminar Leaders: Mark Kamleiter, Esq. and Wayne Steedman, Esq.
Limit: 50 participants

New Attorney Survival Guide: From the First Call Forward
Participants will learn basic law for handling special education cases.  Program will include an intensive review of IDEA and Section 504 with an emphasis on recent amendments, key cases, and practical skills in taking the case from initial client interview to due process hearing.  Much of the work will be done in small groups of not more than 10 participants, led by experienced practitioners in special education. This program is designed to assist attorneys who are just beginning their special education practice.
Intended Audience: Open to attorneys
Seminar Leaders: Torin Togut, Esq. and Craig Goodmark, Esq.
Limit: 30 participants

Skills Training for Due Process Hearings
This program is designed for attorneys familiar with the basics of IDEA who want to focus on practice skills for due process hearings. Participants will review records, identify key issues, and establish a trial plan with a selection of witnesses and exhibits.  There will be discussion and demonstration of how to prepare and organize direct and cross examinations, including guidelines on cross-examining expert witnesses. Each participant will complete an opening statement, direct examination, and cross examination.  Participants will be given individual critique during each exercise by experienced special education attorneys. 
Intended Audience: Open to attorneys
Seminar Leaders: Franklin J. Hickman, Esq., Barbara Ebenstein, Esq., and Stephen Rosenbaum, Esq.
Limit: 30 participants

Advanced Training for IDEA Cases
Designed for attorneys who are familiar with IDEA basics, this program focuses on strategic analysis and development of effective due process strategies. Included in this training is an identification of non-traditional or alternative strategies (e.g., political, media, community based and/or administrative) which may supplement or substitute for due process hearings.  Participants will identify systemic issues and review alternatives for establishing a record for possible appeal in state and federal court. Registrants must have participated in at least two due process hearings in order to qualify for this session.
Intended Audience: Open to experienced attorneys
Seminar Leader: Matthew Cohen, Esq.
Limit: 20 participants

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