Western Mass Family Law Conference
2025-04-17 08:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Hotel Northmapton, 36 King Street, Northampton, MA, 01060, United States
The Massachusetts Bar Association’s Family Law Section is excited to present the Western Massachusetts Family Law Conference, a premier in-person event for family law attorneys and judges. We are looking forward to a full day of learning and networking at the Hotel Northampton. Conference sessions include:

8:00-9:00: Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00- 9:30: State of the Probate and Family Court: Chief Justice John D. Casey
9:30-10:40: The Pathways to De-Facto Parentage: Statutory and Equity
10:40-10:50: Break
10:50-11:30: The “Assent” and Voice of the Child
11:30-12:30: From Resist and Refuse to Reunification Therapy
12:30-1:40: LUNCH
1:40-2:20: Emerging Issues in Evidence and Preserving the Record for Appeal
2:20-2:30: Break
2:30-3:40: Coercive Control and Family Law
3:40-4:30: Lobby Conference

Registration is required by Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m.

MBA Member: $75.00
Non-Member: $175.00

Communicating with Children/Determining their Position
2025-04-17 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | UTEC Catalyst Center, 17 Warren Street, Lowell, Massachusetts, 01850
But Why? Communicating & Collaborating with Kids About Being in Care

Fighting School Threats - Case Considerations
2025-04-17 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Topic: Fighting School Threats – Case Considerations
Time: Apr 17, 2025 02:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Join us for presentations and discussions about the use of the bomb/hijack statute to charge kids with making school threats. Topics include legislative history, Motions to Dismiss, 58A Hearings, Trial Issues and school discipline.
Live-Remote through Zoom
Register for this Zoom Training

How to Defend Allegations of Physical Abuse
2025-04-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-06 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Springfield Trial Office, 1350 main street 6th floor, Springfield, Massachusetts, 01103
CAFL Training Presents:
HOW TO CHALLENGE THE ‘SCIENCE” TWO PART SERIES
April 22, 2025 & MAY 6, 2025
1pm-3pm
Springfield Trial Office | 1350 Main Street | 6th floor
RSVP:
ATTYMICHELLESCRUZ@YAHOO.COM
Approved for 4 CAFL CLE’s | 2 each day.
Key Topics Include:

How to identify key facts in medical records
How to cross the departments expert
Experts: What type of experts and where to find them
Hiow to unpack your client’s story
How to challenge the “Science” of child abuse
How and when to obtain discovery-medical records; interrogatories, deposition and request for production

Working with Experts - How do we Get the Best out of our Evaluators?
2025-04-22 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
Working with Experts – How do we get the best out of our evaluators?
Virtual Training & Meeting
MHLD Regional Coordinator Training & Meeting Barnstable/Plymouth Counties
Presented by Barnstable/Plymouth RC Toni Hall
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82898022284?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 828 9802 2284
Passcode: [REDACTED]

CARE Advocate Program - Make a Difference for Children in Foster Care
2025-04-23 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Fall River Office, 1822 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 027201822 North Main Street, Fall River, MA, United States
You’re Invited Bar Training
When: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, | 2-3pm
Where: CAFL Office 1822 N. Main St. | Suite 205 | Fall River, MA 02720
Approved for 1.5 CAFL CLE credits
grey@advocacybridge.org | (774) 202-9745
TOPIC:

Explore the CARE Advocate Program: Learn about
the expanded referral process for CARE (Child
Advocate for Resources and Empowerment), now
serving all four Bristol County juvenile courts.
Partner with The Advocacy Bridge: Learn how to
refer cases for a CARE Advocate, collaborate with
Advocates, and use this resource to better drive
positive impacts for children and families.

In Case You Get Hit By A Bus: Steps To Protect Your Cases For When You Are Not Around
2025-04-23 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
In Case You Get Hit By A Bus – Steps to Protect your cases for when you are not around.
MHLD Middlesex County Regional Coordinator Virtual Training & Meeting
Presented by Middlesex RCs Toni Hall & Mark Rossi
When: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

Where: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81595201087?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 815 9520 1087
Passcode: [REDACTED]

FILING A (com)MOTION
2025-04-25 13:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Trial Court
Probate and Family Court
ss. County Docket No.

In re: Trial Panel Members
FILING A (com)MOTION

Now comes Valerie Rust, Esq. and Deborah Hill Stevens, Esq., Regional Coordinators, offering you an opportunity to earn 3 CLEs as follows:
1. Attend our Filing A (com)Motion training to learn about what motions you can bring before the judge in order to dismiss actions, limit witnesses, exclude documents, to give your client the best opportunity to defend against the petition.
2. We will do a lecture on Motions that can be brought, but more importantly, we will have a number of scenarios to be explored and discussed.
3. We will break into small groups and ask each group to write up at least one motion based upon one of the scenarios.
4. There will be a presentation and large group discussions of the motions drafted.
5. Question and answer period to follow.

Wherefore, we respectfully request that you join us by Zoom on
a. April 25, 2025 from 1:30-4:30
b. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/p9DpCeDEQ-i8dtW07YbKOg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
c. Let us know if you have any questions.

Please email MHLD Trial Admin Asst. Craig Gimbrone (Cgimbrone@publiccounsel.net) for more details.

How to Conduct a Trauma-Informed Direct Examination with the Wildflower Alliance
2025-04-28 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
How to Conduct a Direct Examination of your Client
With a Trauma-Informed Approach:
Partnering with your Client to Tell Their Own Story

Presented by: the Wildflower Alliance, the CPCS Mental Health Litigation Division
& the CPCS Holistic Defense Work Group

All staff and private counsel, come join us for this cross-practice training
April 28th on Zoom from 10:00am-12:00

2 CLE Credits:
Credits apply to Trial and Appeals Panels for CAFL, Criminal, MHLD, and YAD;
Credits also apply to the SDP/SORB and Parole Panels (not Medical Parole)

We will learn about how to be client-centered and trauma-informed, partnering with our clients who want to testify in their own cases to tell their own stories.

The training will include an interactive presentation and small group work with scenarios from the criminal, young adult, family regulation, and mental health systems.

We are joined by our Wildflower Alliance colleagues, who bring their lived experiences as survivors from all oppressive and coercive carceral systems.

After the training, you will be able to:

Recognize the difference between representing a client and advocating for a person,
Understand that a victory or “win” is not simply the legal result of a court proceeding,
Prepare your client to tell their story in an effective way to assist the fact-finder in their analysis of the evidence, and
Educate the fact-finder to reframe the narrative about your client.

Any Questions?
Email MHLD Training Director, Beau Kealy: bkealy@publiccounsel.net
or Skailer Qvistgaard, HDWG Chair: sqvistgaard@publiccounsel.net

CAFL Trial Panel Certification Spring 2025
2025-04-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-01 09:00 - 17:00 UTC
Mock Hearings

Bridgewater State Hospital Webinar Series - Part 1
2025-04-29 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Bridgewater State Hospital Webinar Series

Please join us for a series of discussions about our work at Bridgewater State Hospital, focusing on the findings and recommendations detailed in our most recent semi-annual report issued in February 2025. Each webinar will include a question and answer segment.
Materials and recordings will be provided after the conference.
ASL and CART will be provided for all sessions
REGISTER TODAY
Overview of BSH Webinar
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 1 pm – 3:00 pm

This webinar will explain what BSH is and present a broad overview of all of DLC’s findings and recommendations from the February 2025 report.

BSH Care and Treatment Webinar
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 1 pm – 3:00 pm

This webinar will focus on the mental health care and treatment provided to individuals held at BSH, including concerns about restraint, seclusion, and involuntary medication practices.

BSH Facilities Issues Webinar
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 1 pm – 3:00 pm

This webinar will focus discuss physical conditions within BSH – a state prison facility – and their impact on the health, safety, and treatment of individuals held at BSH.

REGISTER TODAY

April MHLD RED (Race, Equity and Diversity) Talk
2025-04-30 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
April MHLD RED (Race, Equity and Diversity) Talk
April 30, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Drop-in Lunch & Learn to build on other recent race trainings and support you in your MHLD practice!
THIS PROGRAM QUALIFIES FOR 1 CLE ON THE MHLD TRIAL & APPEALS PANEL

Bring your lunch and come join your colleagues on MHLD staff and panel to talk informally and brainstorm about raising race in our cases. Do you believe that your client’s mental health treatment, admission to a facility or petition for commitment/guardianship is being impacted by racial bias?
This is also a chance to case crunch your cases with your colleagues over lunch!
Come join us!

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Social Law Library: Depositions – Develop and Sharpen Your Skills
2025-04-30 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET
Webinar Fee: $65
This Program is Online only

Register Here
CPCS approved 2.0 credits for the CAFL (Trial and Appeals), and Mental Health trials. To receive credits attendees must be logged on during the program for a minimum of 80% of the conference time – certificates will be emailed to all attendees who qualify.
Faculty
Judge Debra A. Squires-Lee, Massachusetts Superior Court
Thomas Jackson, Esq., author of the Practicing Law Institute’s The Deposition Handbook (3rd ed.)
Dylan Sanders, Esq., Beveridge & Diamond P.C.
Depositions are the main discovery tool for obtaining the facts necessary to resolve civil actions. Depositions are also the best way to assess the objectivity/credibility of witnesses and to challenge the opinions of experts. Mastering the skills of the deposition process is crucial to litigation success. This program will improve your deposition skills. Among the topics in the program are:

Suggestions addressing common pitfalls in the conduct of depositions, including failing to prepare, poor language choices, failing to exhaust a witness’s knowledge of a topic, being distracted by objections or by the witness, not gaining useful admissions, failing to address documents properly or deal with “I don’t know answers,” and mistakes made by defending lawyers and issues presented by remote depositions.
Special considerations for dealing with experts in depositions including ways to examine both constructively and destructively.
Using exhibits including gaining facts required to support their admissibility under the rules of evidence.

Online registration is encouraged. For assistance, questions on group discounts, accommodations requests, special billing, program content, out-of-state CLE credits, and general CLE information contact Michael Saporito by email at msaporito@socialaw.com . Registrations accepted in order of receipt. Registration fees are non-refundable. Most Social Law Library CLE events are recorded. The recording is available by digital download, generally within a week after the program date. People registered for the program will receive the video recording and materials. CLE credit, when applicable, is only granted when the live webinar is attended.
This program is hosted by Social Law Library. Any questions or issues regarding this program should be directed to msaporito@socialaw.com . This event is being listed for informational purposes only. CPCS staff cannot assist with, or solve, registration issues.

Appellate Brief Writing Workshop
2025-05-01 09:00 - 13:30 UTC | CPCS Boston, 75 Federal Street, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
By Invitation/Application only. for more details, please contact Emily Cardy at ecardy@publiccounsel.net

Mind The Gap: Bridging Legal Process and Adolescent Development to Build Communication Strategies with Young Clients
2025-05-02 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
May 2 2025, from 3-4:30
Mind The Gap: Bridging Legal Process and Adolescent Development to Build Communication Strategies with Young Clients
A Youth Advocacy Training with Doctor Lauren Persing
Register at the Link Below
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eDG4c-aHQPKir6rWrXrx5w
Approved for 1.5 CAFL CLE.

Bridgewater State Hospital Webinar Series - Part 2
2025-05-06 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Bridgewater State Hospital Webinar Series

Please join us for a series of discussions about our work at Bridgewater State Hospital, focusing on the findings and recommendations detailed in our most recent semi-annual report issued in February 2025. Each webinar will include a question and answer segment.
Materials and recordings will be provided after the conference.
ASL and CART will be provided for all sessions

Overview of BSH Webinar
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 1 pm – 3:00 pm

This webinar will explain what BSH is and present a broad overview of all of DLC’s findings and recommendations from the February 2025 report.

BSH Care and Treatment Webinar
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 1 pm – 3:00 pm

This webinar will focus on the mental health care and treatment provided to individuals held at BSH, including concerns about restraint, seclusion, and involuntary medication practices.

BSH Facilities Issues Webinar
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 1 pm – 3:00 pm

This webinar will focus discuss physical conditions within BSH – a state prison facility – and their impact on the health, safety, and treatment of individuals held at BSH.

REGISTER TODAY

Exploring the Connection between Well-Being and Identity in the Legal Profession: The Importance of Supportive Workplaces and Allyship
2025-05-06 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Exploring the Connection between Well-Being & Identity in the Legal Profession: The Importance of Supportive Workplaces and Allyship
Part 2 presented on May 6th from 2:30pm – 4pm will focus on recently released proposals from the Affinity Bar Associations that provide practical ways to improve well-being in the profession and to dismantle systemic inequities. This program will feature a roundtable conversation comprised of various members and focused on public service and government workplaces.
CLE Approved for:
CAFL, CAFL Appeals, YAD, YAD Appeals, Adult Criminal Trials, Adult Criminal Post-Conviction, Mental Health Litigation, MHLD Appeals, SORB/SDP
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GYyYywSwSGW9QjMvx4Dg4w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ICWA Training
2025-05-07 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
In person All Day Event in Mashpee – More info to follow

Juvenile and Child Welfare Training
2025-05-08 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | lawrence Juvenile Court, 2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA, 01840, United States
Platform: In-Person
Program Description:
Hon. Kerry A. Ahern, first justice of the Lawrence Juvenile Court, is hosting a free training and bench/bar event on Thursday, May 8, at the Lawrence Juvenile Court.

This is a great opportunity to learn from and meet judges who will be covering topics including:

The new care and protection rules
Amendments to Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rule of Criminal Procedure
The recent Juvenile Policy & Data Dashboard Report

Faculty:

Hon. Kerry A. Ahern, First Justice, Program Chair
Essex County Juvenile Court-Newburyport, Lawrence

RACE, RESTRAINTS & RISK OF HARM
2025-05-12 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
RACE, RESTRAINTS & RISK OF HARM
May 12th 10am-1pm
(3 CLEs)
CPCS Training Center
120 Front Street, 3rd floor, Worcester
Virtual option also available

After this training, you will be better able to:

Understand the decision-making criteria for the application of chemical and physical restraints and the racial disparities which exist.
Recognize how the use of restraints and the disparate on clients of color result in erroneous decisions about risk of harm and unlawful commitment.
Explore concrete steps and tools for using the existing research to educate the Court to effectively advocate for our clients.

Part 1: Discussion of relevant research and data.
Learn from MHLD staff and private counsel and clinical colleagues, Dr. Tina Adams and Dr. Jessica Isom:

Existence of structural racism in healthcare and bias of providers;
Explanation of criteria considered with application of restraints;
Review of the current research and data illustrating disparate use of restraints
How the use of restraints are proxies for risk of harm in commitment cases

Part 2: Stories of unlawful use of restraint:
Matt Tuleja & Freddy Shegog

Part 3: Small group breakouts
Brainstorm strategies to use existing research, regs & data
Part 4: Roundtable conversation: how to educate & advocate

Please register in advance for in-person tickets: EVENTBRITE LINK
Or register for remote attendance:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bPlTw3jiSKCbTSgxeIydzg

3rd Annual Social Services Conference
2025-05-13 09:30 - 16:30, 2025-05-14 09:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
THIS CONFERENCE IS MEANT FOR BOTH STAFF SSAS/SOCIAL WORKERS AND EXPERT VENDOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK AS PART OF INDIGENT LEGAL DEFENSE TEAMS, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, JUVENILE JUSTICE AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS AND ADULT GUARDIANSHIPS, AND ADULT CRIMINAL CASES. ALL STAFF, STAFF ATTORNEYS, BAR ADVOCATES, AND PANEL MEMBERS WELCOME.

Bridgewater State Hospital Webinar Series - Part 3
2025-05-13 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)

Demystifying Mental Health Diagnoses: What People Who've Been There Have To Say
2025-05-14 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
NOTE: This program is being presented by an outside organization so all questions need to be directed to that organization. DPH-HDP@mass.gov
May 14, 2025 – Noon
1.5 CLE Credits available for MHLD Litigation and MHLD Appeal//s
This webinar will feature insightful discussions with guest speakers, each offering their unique perspectives and experiences. They will share their personal journeys, their work in this field, the resources available to community members, as well as the challenges and triumphs they have encountered while striving to break the stigma surrounding mental health diagnoses. Together, we will explore the intersectionality of mental health and disability, honoring the resilience, creativity, and strength of those who continue to shape our world in impactful ways. We hope you can join us for this important conversation! With gratitude, The Health and Disability Program in the Office of the Assistant Commissioner for Health Equity and the Department of Mental Health
REGISTER TODAY

Evidence Series: 911 Calls
2025-05-14 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
PRESENTER: Jessica Kirane, CPCS Training Department Staff Attorney
911 calls can be full of emotion and hearsay, yet the Commonwealth sometimes wants to put them into evidence, especially when they don’t have the caller to put on the stand for some reason. Lean how to get this evidence excluded.
1 CLE credit for each webinar for attorneys on each of the following panels: Criminal Defense Trials (Adult), Post-Conviction (Adult); YAD, YAD Appeals, Mental Health (Trials), Mental Health Appeals, Parole
REGISTER HERE

Briefing – and maybe even winning – ineffective assistance of counsel claims in CAFL appeals
2025-05-15 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Presented by the CAFL Appellate Panel Support Unit
Join us on Thursday, May 15th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
We’ll discuss the key cases, identifying potential IAC issues, communicating with trial
counsel, preparing and arguing motions for new trial/relief from judgment based upon IAC,
and briefing and arguing IAC claims on appeal. After a plenary session, we’ll break out for
small group discussions.
Advanced registration is required. 2 CLE’s
*CAFL Appeals Panel Only*
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/up6NRC-iTzyM1PxKmpVstQ

How to Read a CARI for Non-Criminal Attorneys Practicing in Guardianship and Commitment Cases and What to Do if Your Client Wants to Testify but has Open Criminal Charges
2025-05-16 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
How to Read a CARI for Non-Criminal Attorneys Practicing in Guardianship and Commitment Cases and What to Do if Your Client Wants to Testify but has Open Criminal Charges
This 1 hour MHLD CLE is geared toward attorneys who do not typically practice criminal law but who may encounter clients who have open criminal charges or a criminal record that is an issue in your proceedings. The first part of the course will discuss how to read the charges and outcomes on the CARI and the second part of the CLE will focus on what to do if your client wants to testify and has open charges or was found incompetent to stand trial.
May 16, 2025 1:00-2:00 pm.
Presenters:
Stephen Lowell, Esq., Quincy
Debra P. Dow, Esq., Newburyport

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LC52PhtxQVq5jqWDEeskNA
