Please join the Racial Justice Taskforce on April 10, 2026 at 12:00 pm for our virtual roundtable about trauma informed practices for legal aid practitioners. We will focus on the types of trauma our clients face, how it impacts the brain, and specific practice tips you can incorporate. Presenters include Allie Johnston of Community Legal Aid and Rachel Ramirez of Ohio Domestic Violence Network. 

The Committee on Regional Training (CORT) will present its Negotiation Skills Training in-person in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Weber’s Boutique Hotel from April 15–17, 2026.

This is an intensive three-day training designed to provide attorneys an opportunity to develop, refine, and practice the link between these three skills: counseling a client in anticipation of negotiation/mediation, negotiations on behalf of a client, and representing a client at the mediation session.

There are a limited number of attendees for this training, so please register as soon as possible.

Registering does not mean acceptance into the training. Once registration closes, we will work with each state/program to select participants to attend the training.

Once admitted into the training, you will receive a confirmation email with more registration details including how to book your hotel.

This registration is for in-person attendance from April 15 to 16 in Ann Arbor, MI.

Please review the full announcement before registering.

Registration Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026

Presenter

Polli Pollem, CAPT, USAF, Retired (She/They)

Military Assistance Project Director

INDIANA LEGAL SERVICES, INC.

Overview

This training provides essential guidance for attorneys representing clients or dealing with opposing parties who are military members or veterans in family law cases. The training addresses important legal and practical considerations specific to veterans and military members, ensuring attorneys are equipped to handle these cases with competence and sensitivity.

Topics Covered

The training will discuss the following key areas:

• Introduction to the Military Cultural Competency Manual for Attorneys: An overview of the manual, which offers insights into military culture and practical tips for attorneys working with clients or opposing parties who are veterans or military members.
• Procedural Protections of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): A review of the SCRA, also known as the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, outlining the procedural safeguards provided to military members in family law cases.
• Division of Military-related and Veteran-related Assets: Guidance on the legal considerations and procedures involved in dividing assets associated with military service or veteran status during family law proceedings.
• Uniform Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA): An explanation of the USFSPA, focusing on how it impacts former spouses in family law cases.
• Apportionment of VA Benefits and Garnishment of Military Pay: Discussion of the processes for apportioning VA benefits and garnishing military pay, including retired pay, in the context of family law matters.

Presenter Jackie Gutter of Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio will cover a brief history of the advocacy efforts that prompted the Ohio Supreme Court's adoption of the Form 20 Poverty Affidavit; best practices for completing the form; the actions required of the clerk and judge per ORC 2323.311; advocacy strategies when confronting problems with court compliance. 

Advanced Pretrial is a training for attorneys with litigation experience. Priority should be given to attorneys with at least three years of experience, who have attended BLST and TAST, unless they joined legal aid with prior litigation experience. Attendees should be familiar with basic discovery and motion practice.

The training will cover a variety of topics, including: case planning, client counseling, claim valuation, settlement considerations, discovery conflicts, and pre-trial motion practice.

The training will include lectures, small group breakout sessions, and participant driven exercises. Participants should come prepared to work and actively engage with their fellow participants and small group trainers. Participants may have homework during the training.

Participants must be available and participate in ALL training sessions. They should work with their supervisor to find coverage for case related events and other meetings.

REGISTRATION

This training is limited to 48 participants. Registering does not mean acceptance into the training. When registration closes, we will work with each state/program to select participants. If you are selected for the training, you will receive a confirmation email with more registration details including how to book your hotel.

Registration Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5 pm

LOCATION

The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center

(formerly Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center)

100 Green Meadows Dr. S, Lewis Center, OH 43035

QUESTIONS

Please send your questions to training@lasco.org.