Conferences

A Report on the 2010 ANDVSA Legal Advocacy Project Pro Bono Program Continuing Legal Education Conference in Cooperation with the Alaska Bar Association – “Litigating Family Law Cases with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.”

The twelfth annual Litigating Family Law Cases Involving Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault continuing legal education conference took place on February 15 and 16, 2010 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.  Featured speakers included Dr. Anna Salter, national expert on sexual assault and sex offenders, and Judge Paula Casey and Dr. Nancy Olesen from the National Council on Juvenile and Family Law Judges who discussed custody issues in cases with domestic violence and sexual assault.  Christine Pate shared facts regarding domestic violence in Alaska and the role of the ANDVSA Pro Bono Program in aiding those victims with access to safety and justice.  Alaska’s Attorney General, Dan Sullivan addressed the group on the importance of providing legal services for victims and encouraging attorneys to donate their time to the project.  Since 1999 nearly 300 Alaskan attorneys have donated thousands of hours of time to help victims of abuse through the Network’s Pro Bono Program.  He opened the conference on day two with remarks on Alaska’s current law and efforts to raise awareness regarding domestic violence.

Featured presenters also included Robin Bronen director of the Alaska Immigration Justice Project with information on the importance on using qualified interpreters when working with immigrant victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.   The Alaska Immigration Justice Project is the only agency in Alaska that has the expertise to provide immigration legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Ninety-two participants learned from presenters on topics such as domestic violence lethality, sexual assault dynamics, incest perpetrators, effect of sexual assault on victims, and sex offender treatment.  In addition, special breakout sessions addressed victims with multiple issues tailored for guardians ad Litem and child custody investigators; beginning attorneys were trained in domestic violence/sexual assault case nuts and bolts, and advanced attorneys received training in advanced deposition techniques.   A special feature on day one was the best practices from the Bench panel discussion with Alaska judges explaining their application of existing law in cases with domestic violence.     Presenters from the National Council on Juvenile and Family Law Judges presented on navigating custody evaluations with domestic violence and sexual assault.  Day Two also included a catered working lunch with a presentation by AIJP Director Robin Bronen in working with immigrants and interpreters.  Presenters also included Peg Coleman, Executive Director, of South Peninsula Haven House,  Attorneys James E. Curtain, and Michael Lessmeier.

Participants included 20 guardians ad litem and child custody investigators, 48 attorneys, 6 judges, 3 Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Board members, and 15 others who work with victims such as paralegals, advocates, and social workers.