BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:plc2026
X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:-//Sched.com 2026 Poverty Law Conference//EN
X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T180000Z
DTEND:20260902T190000Z
SUMMARY:Your First Uncontested Guardianship: A Step-by-Step Guide from Intake to Annual Reporting
DESCRIPTION:Ready to take your first guardianship case but not sure where to start? This practical\, start-to-finish session walks attorneys through filing an uncontested guardianship of the person in Texas. Designed for newer practitioners this training breaks down each stage of the process\, from client intake and evaluating alternatives to the hearing and post-appointment reporting requirements.\n\nParticipants will learn how to properly assess standing\, obtain and review a Physician’s Certificate of Medical Examination (PCME)\, draft the application\, meet service and notice requirements\, work effectively with court-appointed counsel\, and prepare for a smooth uncontested hearing. The session will also cover post-hearing filings and annual reporting obligations to ensure ongoing compliance.\n\nThis course emphasizes a least-restrictive\, person-centered approach and practical strategies to avoid common mistakes that delay appointments or create compliance issues.\n\nAttendees will leave with a clear roadmap\, practical tools\, and confidence to file their first guardianship case.\n\n
CATEGORIES:GUARDIANSHIP/ WILLS & ESTATES/ PROBATE
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b1d177f5fa8c67d5a62bf6e801e19e05
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/b1d177f5fa8c67d5a62bf6e801e19e05
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T180000Z
DTEND:20260902T190000Z
SUMMARY:Stop Settling: Practical Trial Preparation for Poverty Law Litigators
DESCRIPTION:Trial preparation can be one of the most stressful phases of poverty law litigation\, particularly for newer attorneys. This program provides practical\, step-by-step guidance on managing electronic files\, organizing evidence\, preparing a trial notebook\, making discovery work for your case\, and appearing before the judge. The presentation will also address methods for reducing the last-minute anxiety that often accompanies trial preparation. Attendees will leave with concrete systems and workflows they can immediately implement in their own practices.
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:30781b2c782127c3a1224426ccee76ae
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/30781b2c782127c3a1224426ccee76ae
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T180000Z
DTEND:20260902T190000Z
SUMMARY:Challenges in Obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Findings in SAPCR Proceedings
DESCRIPTION:KIND staff will explore the challenges of representing children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) in SAPCR proceedings. KIND will review the requisite SIJS findings and common issues that can arise when working through standard SAPCR procedures. Attendees will have the opportunity to work through hypotheticals and review sample filings.
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3165ff23a679b1c2215cc8ca8e7b877d
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/3165ff23a679b1c2215cc8ca8e7b877d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T180000Z
DTEND:20260902T190000Z
SUMMARY:Sick Of It: SOI Best Practices
DESCRIPTION:Sick of having to explain to courthouse personnel why you should get free copies? Sick of frivolous SOI challenges from opposing counsel? This session is for you! Knowing Rule 145 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure backwards and forwards\, along with its intricacies\, is an essential tool for any lawyer working with limited- to no-income clients. This workshop will provide all the tools needed to accurately and easily fill out an SOI form (making sure you are using the right one)\, persuasively communicate with court personnel to ensure your client’s SOI is honored\, and zealously defend against SOI challenges.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a5519d177fef6c8ff04778d9f7035694
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/a5519d177fef6c8ff04778d9f7035694
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T180000Z
DTEND:20260902T190000Z
SUMMARY:Helping Veterans and Service Members Avoid Fraud and Scams
DESCRIPTION:Veterans and military consumers face unique vulnerabilities that demand robust protection to honor their service and safeguard their well-being. Many have earned hard-earned benefits through sacrifice\, yet they are disproportionately targeted by financial exploitation\, scams\, and fraud—often due to steady VA or military income streams\, personal information tied to service\, and challenges like age\, disability\, trauma\, or isolation. Learn about key threats to veterans and servicemembers and what can be done to safeguard them.
CATEGORIES:VETERANS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e9a71d23358f3c984e90de306026b19c
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/e9a71d23358f3c984e90de306026b19c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T191500Z
DTEND:20260902T201500Z
SUMMARY:Family Stability Tools: Using Delegations of Parental Authority to Support Caregivers
DESCRIPTION:Low-income and immigrant families frequently rely on informal caregiving arrangements when parents face medical emergencies\, immigration issues\, or economic instability. Without written authority\, caregivers may be unable to enroll children in school\, consent to medical care\, or access services that support the child’s wellbeing. This session will introduce delegations of parental authority under Chapters 34 and 35 of the Texas Family Code and explore how these tools can help families create more stable caregiving arrangements. Presenters will also discuss how Community Justice Workers\, non-lawyer advocates\, can collaborate with legal teams to work closely with families and help identify when these tools are appropriate\, support families in understanding their options\, and connect caregiver households with public benefits and other resources that support children.
CATEGORIES:FAMILY LAW
LOCATION:Grand Salons DE\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:139bec546abfcc74d8dab237fe0c2164
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/139bec546abfcc74d8dab237fe0c2164
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T191500Z
DTEND:20260902T201500Z
SUMMARY:Probate 101
DESCRIPTION:Legal Aid organizations have limited staff and funding to provide probate representation\, making the justice gap even wider in this practice area. Additionally\, there are few options for pro se representation in probate. Understanding the Texas Estates Code as well as how to practice probate law will inform legal aid attorneys of ways to provide advice or support pro bono attorneys in assisted pro se cases as well as representation.
CATEGORIES:GUARDIANSHIP/ WILLS & ESTATES/ PROBATE
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:307e0d6b3b969dc938e7da7364bc7f57
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/307e0d6b3b969dc938e7da7364bc7f57
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T191500Z
DTEND:20260902T201500Z
SUMMARY:Unseen Liens and Rent-to-NEVER-Own: Property Code Protections for Texas Homebuyers
DESCRIPTION:Strong Texas laws protect people purchasing a home under a “contract for deed” or “rent-to-own” contract. The Texas Property Code calls these contracts “executory contracts for conveyance of real property”\, and unless the seller follows this strict law ("Subchapter D")\, the buyer is entitled to a variety of damages\, including additional protections under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1c4b4cace5112d131ddd7f3fc8a9869c
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/1c4b4cace5112d131ddd7f3fc8a9869c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T191500Z
DTEND:20260902T201500Z
SUMMARY:Security and Sovereignty: Protecting Immigrant Families through Naturalization
DESCRIPTION:This session explores naturalization as the ultimate tool for family unity and permanent security in a volatile legal landscape. Presenters will provide a technical deep-dive into N-400 issues\, including navigating the "good moral character" requirement\, medical waivers (N-648)\, and the implications of the most recent USCIS policy manual updates. Participants will learn strategies for identifying potential "red flag" cases that could lead to removal proceedings and how to effectively utilize administrative advocacy to resolve delayed applications.
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9ff1a75a11056016f5224f9602f8ea42
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/9ff1a75a11056016f5224f9602f8ea42
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T191500Z
DTEND:20260902T201500Z
SUMMARY:Fighting the Good Fight – Self Care for Sustainable Client Advocacy
DESCRIPTION:Passionately and effectively advocating for clients is a good fight that rewards legal practitioners with their own double-edged sword. On one side\, playing a part in securing wins for those who need them most and camaraderie working alongside others committed to the same fight. The downside of this good work builds up over time: exhaustion from knowing there is an ever-growing number of cases\, clients\, and problems to solve\, accumulated grief from the inevitable losses\, and secondary trauma from dealing in difficult issues\, some of which go beyond the capabilities of legal practitioners.\n \nMichael and Penelope are advocates who have felt these feelings through years of working in various legal aid fields\, including environmental justice\, family\, fair housing\, criminal\, and community development work. Everyone’s journey to taking care of themselves is different\, but we will share our stories and lessons learned in our journeys of acknowledging the very real difficulty of burnout and finding pathways to sustainability. This presentation will focus on specific ways to process and manage your case load\, celebrate wins\, build community inside and outside of the legal field\, and connect with specific mental health and wellbeing resources. Attendees will have various opportunities to reflect on their own wellbeing and consider emotional\, physical\, and mental health as a part of their legal practice.\n \nThink of it this way: you are not just an advocate. First and foremost\, you are a person who practices advocacy. We hope this presentation encourages you and provides specific tools to help sustain your advocacy.
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7ab9773432fbf192adfda0850f42efc0
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/7ab9773432fbf192adfda0850f42efc0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T191500Z
DTEND:20260902T201500Z
SUMMARY:Title IX in Practice: Access to Justice\, Survivor Support\, and Due Process in Schools
DESCRIPTION:Title IX is often viewed through a compliance lens\, but for many students\, it functions as a critical access-to-justice framework impacting safety\, educational access\, and long-term stability across both K–12 and higher education settings.\n\nThis session provides a practical overview of Title IX under the 2020 regulations\, including the role of the Title IX Coordinator\, reporting and response obligations\, supportive measures\, and intersections with the Clery Act. Presenters will examine how institutional policies and processes affect vulnerable and underserved student populations\, particularly those experiencing overlapping challenges such as housing insecurity and intimate partner violence.\n\nThe session will also explore prevention as an early intervention strategy and provide an overview of the hearing and advisor process\, including due process protections and common barriers students face when navigating institutional systems. In addition\, the session will address how Title IX intersects with broader civil rights frameworks\, including Title VI\, and the implications for case classification\, reporting pathways\, and institutional response.\n\nThrough a multidisciplinary lens\, this session connects compliance requirements to real-world advocacy\, equipping attendees with actionable insight to better support clients interacting with school-based Title IX systems.\n\nThis session is particularly relevant for attorneys and advocates representing students in K–12 and higher education systems or working with survivors of gender-based violence.
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6230d91d0c4a0d64dd849b8c79a3f55b
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/6230d91d0c4a0d64dd849b8c79a3f55b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T203000Z
DTEND:20260902T213000Z
SUMMARY:When the Village Raises the Child: Representing the Nonparent Client
DESCRIPTION:This session will delve into the intricacies of representing nonparents caring for children. The two common topics discussed will be Nonparent Authorization Agreements (NPAAs) and Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCRs). Legal aid attorneys commonly receive requests from grandparents\, aunts and uncles\, adult siblings\, and other relatives requesting legal assistance after they experience roadblocks while caring for a child. NPAAs are a common “kincare” (kinship care) tool used in Texas\, but SAPCRs may also be an option. Knowing the differences between and the requirements of both allows attorneys to better evaluate their nonparent clients’ cases.
CATEGORIES:FAMILY LAW
LOCATION:Grand Salons DE\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f97d9768dc408bc4f4d4d0a9596a0890
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/f97d9768dc408bc4f4d4d0a9596a0890
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T203000Z
DTEND:20260902T213000Z
SUMMARY:SB 38 So Far
DESCRIPTION:This session will examine how eviction practice has changed in the eight months since SB 38 and its accompanying revisions to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure took effect. We will discuss novel defenses to eviction under the new law and rules\, as well as active and planned constitutional challenges\, explaining how they have played out in thousands of cases before the twenty-six different Justices of the Peace in the state's two largest counties. The goal is an interactive session in which both presenters and participants share their experiences to improve our collective advocacy on behalf of Texas tenants.
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8bda96b6cc8fcfc16d6c7bbf794f2b71
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/8bda96b6cc8fcfc16d6c7bbf794f2b71
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T203000Z
DTEND:20260902T213000Z
SUMMARY:Essentials for Non-Immigration Practitioners: 2026 Immigration Legal Updates and Practical Tips
DESCRIPTION:This practical session provides attorneys outside the immigration field with essential insights into 2026's significant immigration developments. The session covers fundamental immigration concepts relevant to general practice\, including Alien Registration Numbers\, procedures for locating clients in immigration detention\, methods for verifying immigration court hearings\, and preparing in case of detention and deportation. Topics and updates covered are subject to change in this rapidly evolving landscape.
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:badb3e08597639e7f27c7c985c994c1c
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/badb3e08597639e7f27c7c985c994c1c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T203000Z
DTEND:20260902T213000Z
SUMMARY:Greening Legal Deserts: Solutions to Rural Lawyer Scarcity
DESCRIPTION:Every rural community deserves a legal system that is both high-functioning and well-resourced. But lawyer scarcity across much of Texas makes such systems aspirational. This session will discuss solutions to the problem of rural legal deserts: Programs that have supported rural doctors for decades can be models for recruiting rural lawyers\; Lawyers' educational\, licensing\, and practice structures can be updated and tailored to rural needs\; and courts can modernize their practices. Learn about recent innovations and successes in these areas\, and share your own approaches to rural lawyer recruitment.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:40efa53057c79a4537a43533182d9f39
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/40efa53057c79a4537a43533182d9f39
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T203000Z
DTEND:20260902T213000Z
SUMMARY:TBA
DESCRIPTION:TBA
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:da4dc6f8d6416c0b5288699436ff24b2
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/da4dc6f8d6416c0b5288699436ff24b2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T203000Z
DTEND:20260902T213000Z
SUMMARY:Advocating for Vulnerable Veterans when the VA steps in to appoint a Fiduciary or Guardian
DESCRIPTION:The VA Fiduciary Program and VA guardianship rules (particularly the new VA-DOJ framework announced in March 2026) both address support for vulnerable veterans who lack capacity to manage aspects of their lives\, but they operate in distinct yet potentially overlapping ways. The VA Fiduciary Program is a federal\, VA-specific mechanism focused narrowly on financial management. VA determines if a veteran (due to injury\, disease\, age\, or minority) cannot manage their VA benefits. The new VA guardianship rules\, however\, allow for broader decision-making over a veteran\, which can include health care decisions\, living arrangements\, and a veteran’s overall personal welfare. Historically\, VA has limited involvement here\, but the recent VA-DOJ Memorandum of Understanding (MOU\, March 2026) enables VA attorneys (appointed as special assistant U.S. attorneys by DOJ) to initiate and participate in state court proceedings to seek guardianship for certain unrepresented veterans—especially those unable to make health care decisions\, lacking family/legal support\, and needing it for post-acute care transitions (including some homeless or at-risk veterans in VA facilities). Both target impaired or incapacitated veterans to protect their interests and well-being. Attorneys should be prepared to advocate for veterans in either situation.
CATEGORIES:VETERANS
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4ee4975e4fe573d7cd0d9d892061e04c
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/4ee4975e4fe573d7cd0d9d892061e04c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T214500Z
DTEND:20260902T224500Z
SUMMARY:Community Redevelopment and Environmental Justice
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8294a06132180743b4db399c5d251d6d
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/8294a06132180743b4db399c5d251d6d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T214500Z
DTEND:20260902T224500Z
SUMMARY:Disaster Law Task Force Meeting
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3d224b5763c9bc42a18c55101194f042
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/3d224b5763c9bc42a18c55101194f042
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260902T214500Z
DTEND:20260902T224500Z
SUMMARY:Family Law Task Force Meeting
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fdbd56c551c7f58cd24c5885eeaf4df9
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/fdbd56c551c7f58cd24c5885eeaf4df9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T124500Z
DTEND:20260903T135000Z
SUMMARY:Breakfast
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Grand Salon C\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1ff5d722f85958ff740e58783c3cc49f
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/1ff5d722f85958ff740e58783c3cc49f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T140000Z
DTEND:20260903T150000Z
SUMMARY:Not So Easy Peasy: When Your Probate Case Gets Complicated
DESCRIPTION:Tag along for an interactive session designed for advocates with a baseline understanding of the fundamentals of probate practice who are looking to move beyond the basics\, develop their skills\, and take more complex cases.\n\nThis session will present participants with complex\, uncommon\, and contentious issues that arise during the probate process and provide practical solutions to combat them. Toward the end of the session\, participants will have the opportunity to share legal issues they’ve encountered in probate practice and provide insight into what worked to resolve them.\n\nBy the end of the session\, participants will be better equipped to navigate their next probate case and avoid the feeling of overwhelm that comes with having a not so easy peasy probate issue.
CATEGORIES:GUARDIANSHIP/ WILLS & ESTATES/ PROBATE
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:24764ae5f1a7cec224e91aa6d6ad2e02
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/24764ae5f1a7cec224e91aa6d6ad2e02
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T140000Z
DTEND:20260903T150000Z
SUMMARY:ChatGPTenant
DESCRIPTION:ChatGPT and other generative AI tools both taketh and giveth to tenants. &nbsp\;Inaccuracies and imprecision work against tenants’ interest in stable\, safe\, and sanitary housing--all while making life more challenging for legal aid housing attorneys attempting to advise and advocate for tenants. &nbsp\;\n\nHowever\, tenants and legal aid attorneys alike have never had more access to powerful tools capable of legal research\, document drafting\, and technical information about the civil justice system.\n\nWhat’s a legal aid housing attorney to do? Bring your laptop\, tablet\, or smartphone to this interactive session to develop strategies and tactics for navigating the current AI age in Texas landlord-tenant.\n\n
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ef8b0cfe8e1bad16c62c7c74be0e3220
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/ef8b0cfe8e1bad16c62c7c74be0e3220
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T140000Z
DTEND:20260903T150000Z
SUMMARY:Navigating the Storm: Hot Topics and Rapid Shifts in Asylum Law
DESCRIPTION:In an era of "constant changes in immigration enforcement and asylum law\," practitioners must remain agile. This session analyzes "hot topics" in asylum litigation\, with a focus on Texas-specific challenges and recent appellate decisions. Presenters will discuss emerging trends in "particular social group" (PSG) definitions\, the impact of shifting border policies on credible fear interviews\, and strategies for managing high-volume asylum dockets without compromising the "zealous representation" of vulnerable individuals.
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8bb828edf08ef01d7ae06d13d8f88473
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/8bb828edf08ef01d7ae06d13d8f88473
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T140000Z
DTEND:20260903T150000Z
SUMMARY:Navigating the Narrative: Trauma-Informed Interviewing Skills
DESCRIPTION:This session will discuss the techniques and skills necessary for an interview to be conducted in a trauma-informed manner. The session will break apart a typical interview into discrete parts\, highlighting what a trauma-informed interview consists of\, and ask participants to assess an interview to determine what trauma-informed techniques were or were not used. &nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:13f229ea1e7f21b522264d7e4451dd23
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/13f229ea1e7f21b522264d7e4451dd23
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T140000Z
DTEND:20260903T150000Z
SUMMARY:Bridging Laymen and Law: CJWs in MLPs
DESCRIPTION:Medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) are designed to address legal problems before they become health-harming\, yet their effectiveness often depends on the presence of Community Justice Workers (CJWs) as core members of the care team. This session will explore how CJWs\, or non-attorney advocates\, may strengthen MLPs by serving as trusted\, community-based supports who help patients understand legal information\, provide holistic navigation\, and support accessible engagement with legal services. Presenters will discuss the potential role of CJWs within healthcare settings\, how that role differs from attorneys and traditional support staff\, and what considerations matter when integrating CJWs into an MLP model. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where CJWs may add value\, what guardrails are needed\, and how this approach could support more effective and accessible service delivery.
CATEGORIES:PUBLIC BENEFITS & MLPS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4e27d2f76474b0596da5ac3d3fb7f5ab
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/4e27d2f76474b0596da5ac3d3fb7f5ab
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T151500Z
DTEND:20260903T161500Z
SUMMARY:Where in The World is my Family Law Case? Venue Selection in Texas
DESCRIPTION:This session will focus on both mandatory and permissive venue selection for family law filings in the State of Texas with a specific focus on strategies to improve success. The session will also include consideration and tips when representing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. It will also include recent updates and changes to venue law from new statutes and case law. Participants will be given real world examples where they will select which outcome they think is preferable followed by group discussion regarding their choice.\n
CATEGORIES:FAMILY LAW
LOCATION:Grand Salons DE\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3798c47d84aeffe4b62fe93e4faaa541
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/3798c47d84aeffe4b62fe93e4faaa541
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T151500Z
DTEND:20260903T161500Z
SUMMARY:Protecting Families Through Planning: Building Effective Power of Attorney Clinics for At-Risk Communities
DESCRIPTION:Legal aid providers across Texas are increasingly supporting families facing the risk of sudden separation due to immigration enforcement. This session provides a practical\, replicable model for designing and executing family preparedness clinics that utilize volunteer attorneys to draft powers of attorney for the care of children and management of personal affairs. Participants will learn how to structure clinics\, train and supervise volunteers\, ensure ethical and legal compliance\, and deliver trauma-informed\, culturally competent services at scale. Attendees will leave with concrete tools\, workflows\, and strategies they can implement in their own organizations.
CATEGORIES:GUARDIANSHIP/ WILLS & ESTATES/ PROBATE
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7c9c99fb51aad50e50857afda21146d6
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/7c9c99fb51aad50e50857afda21146d6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T151500Z
DTEND:20260903T161500Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Representation: How Dispute Resolution Makes a Difference
DESCRIPTION:HVL has implemented an innovative Dispute Resolution program where attorneys are trained "facilitate" eviction court cases. Think "mediation lite." They have delivered great results without a representation agreement!&nbsp\;We will look at how dispute resolution (D.R.) by attorneys can help in two contexts: eviction court and consumer debt. There will be some basic black letter law\, and dispute resolution tips and tricks.
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c6330969aac94f7ba51415774252e3de
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/c6330969aac94f7ba51415774252e3de
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T151500Z
DTEND:20260903T161500Z
SUMMARY:Family Preparedness for Immigrant Families
DESCRIPTION:Many immigrant parents and legal guardians are concerned about who can care for their children or make decisions for them if the parent or legal guardian is detained or deported. This session will review options for a family to make a plan for an alternate caregiver\, including reviewing decision-making rights without court orders or authorization and formal authorizations through court orders or special powers of attorney. The session will also include basic immigration safety planning tips for non-immigration practitioners who want to assist their clients with these types of advanced-planning documents.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6526453dd1fd9db016e55b3cbdac4c4e
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/6526453dd1fd9db016e55b3cbdac4c4e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T151500Z
DTEND:20260903T161500Z
SUMMARY:Privilege\, Not a Right: Everything That Can Go Wrong with a Texas Driver's License
DESCRIPTION:This presentation examines the legal and practical strategies for clearing driver’s license suspensions and restrictions that create barriers to employment and stability. It outlines common causes of license holds\, including unresolved ticket fines and fees\, failure to appear\, administrative suspensions\, and more. This session provides a structured approach to identifying and resolving these obstacles efficiently.\n\n
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1be8d74c3008b8e3095292998a964e84
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/1be8d74c3008b8e3095292998a964e84
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T151500Z
DTEND:20260903T161500Z
SUMMARY:Age 18 Redeterminations: Keeping SSI from Childhood into Adulthood
DESCRIPTION:This presentation will focus on the transition from the child to adult disability standard\, preserving social security benefits for youth turning 18\, and a discussion on common issues and practical strategies such as early preparation\, strong medical evidence\, and clear documentation of work limitations.
CATEGORIES:PUBLIC BENEFITS & MLPS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2390a707ef45de24df082b2d09d5e9d4
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/2390a707ef45de24df082b2d09d5e9d4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T163000Z
DTEND:20260903T175500Z
SUMMARY:Keynote Luncheon
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Grand Salon C\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3295a61b68ad80fe08b41e89ad11ef80
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/3295a61b68ad80fe08b41e89ad11ef80
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T180000Z
DTEND:20260903T190000Z
SUMMARY:I Fought the Law and the Law Won - Enforcements\, How to Prosecute and Defend - An Overview
DESCRIPTION:Legal Aid attorneys often encounter child support\, possession/access\, or property order enforcement issues\, even when grant restrictions prevent them from handling the enforcement itself. Understanding the basics is essential for giving sound legal advice. This session provides a streamlined overview of enforcement and contempt from the perspectives of the movant\, respondent\, and judge. Topics include drafting clear orders\, pleading willful violations\, proper service\, and knowing when clarification is required. The panel will also cover key defensive strategies—service defects\, affirmative defenses\, verified denials\, special exceptions\, directed verdicts\, and double jeopardy issues. &nbsp\;Judges will conclude with practical guidance on presenting and defending enforcement actions and discuss alternatives when an order cannot be enforced.
CATEGORIES:FAMILY LAW
LOCATION:Grand Salons DE\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c26ea0bb754fa6bcfdd5a3b8bba9effb
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/c26ea0bb754fa6bcfdd5a3b8bba9effb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T180000Z
DTEND:20260903T190000Z
SUMMARY:Beyond the Bench: Navigating Guardianship Jury Trials
DESCRIPTION:This panel will walk attorneys through the practical realities of preparing for litigation in complex and contested guardianship cases. Panelists will cover case assessment\, discovery strategies\, working with confidential medical records\, and managing competing interests among family members.The session will also feature a candid review of a case that settled on the eve of trial\, examining what drove the litigation forward\, and the lessons learned that can be applied in future cases.
CATEGORIES:GUARDIANSHIP/ WILLS & ESTATES/ PROBATE
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a86e2b347dc56e294c8dec4ffa3cc0c4
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/a86e2b347dc56e294c8dec4ffa3cc0c4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T180000Z
DTEND:20260903T190000Z
SUMMARY:Post-Judgment Collection Defense
DESCRIPTION:This will be an in-depth discussion regarding defending against post judgment collection including Turnover Receivers and Garnishments. Topics covered will include answering post-judgment discovery\, objecting to motions to appoint receivers\, completing protected property claim forms\, and filing a motion to return exempt funds seized by a receiver.&nbsp\; &nbsp\;Will be a discussion regarding best practices to protect clients exempt assets after judgment. &nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:642c2ef65a05eb354a12d8116cc6ff5c
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/642c2ef65a05eb354a12d8116cc6ff5c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T180000Z
DTEND:20260903T190000Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Borders: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Refugee Support and Resettlement
DESCRIPTION:Providing "high-quality legal services" to refugees requires a bridge between legal relief and social stability. This session examines the RAICES model of integrating legal representation with holistic refugee services. We will discuss the specific challenges of the current resettlement environment\, including housing instability\, language access (serving non-Spanish speaking populations)\, and trauma-informed case management. The panel will demonstrate how "Holistic Service Integration" improves legal outcomes and client retention in both grant-funded and fee-for-service models.
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:12d578fd812cd8ccc51f29b11e043c54
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/12d578fd812cd8ccc51f29b11e043c54
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T180000Z
DTEND:20260903T190000Z
SUMMARY:Tax 101: How to Spot the Issues and Advise Like a Tax Attorney (Even If You're Not)
DESCRIPTION:The program will provide the foundation necessary for an incoming LITC attorney or volunteer attorney to assess a client issue\, prepare for consultation\, review documentation\, and determine available options for the client. Using a mock scenario\, the course will cover available resources\, IRS structure\, reading a notice/letter and identifying its location on the Taxpayer Roadmap\, researching the issue\, and identifying alternative paths forward. Additionally\, the mock scenario will cover filing status\,&nbsp\;EITC and CTC.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:eaaa05c7bc2a1ea4e7c10ffb0b8e857a
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/eaaa05c7bc2a1ea4e7c10ffb0b8e857a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T180000Z
DTEND:20260903T190000Z
SUMMARY:Partnerships Within an MLP: Putting the Pieces Together
DESCRIPTION:The Houston Volunteer Lawyers/AccessHealth Medical-Legal Partnership demonstrates that effective healthcare and legal aid solutions emerge through collaboration. Beyond embedding legal services in clinical settings\, this MLP has built strategic partnerships with community-based organizations\, advocacy groups\, businesses\, government leaders\, and local attorneys\, including founding a pro bono legal network in Fort Bend County. These partnerships create a comprehensive safety net and expand capacity to serve patients through direct pro bono legal representation. This breakout session examines how partnerships strengthen MLPs by reviewing current research on inter-organizational collaboration\, sharing examples of successful partnership models\, and guiding attendees through an interactive exercise to apply these strategies to their own programs and communities.
CATEGORIES:PUBLIC BENEFITS & MLPS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:913689d9697d44b26f5ed9300a3fcb4d
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/913689d9697d44b26f5ed9300a3fcb4d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T191500Z
DTEND:20260903T201500Z
SUMMARY:PO Bootcamp: Nuts & Bolts for Newbie Attorneys & Seasoned Practitioners Alike
DESCRIPTION:Protective Orders (POs) in Texas never seem to stop evolving\, and legal aid practitioners can quickly become PO experts\, as they are the ones commonly filing these cases and assisting survivors of violence and trauma. This session will provide any new legal aid attorney with the tools and knowledge to see a PO case from start to finish. Seasoned PO practitioners may find that the session offers much-needed reminders\, updates on new cases and legislation\, and helpful tips and tricks.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:FAMILY LAW
LOCATION:Grand Salons DE\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e67d45919a307538b11985af28c900c9
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/e67d45919a307538b11985af28c900c9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T191500Z
DTEND:20260903T201500Z
SUMMARY:Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program: Update on Tenant and Applicant Rights
DESCRIPTION:This session will provide an overview of tenant and applicant rights in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program.&nbsp\;The session will focus on the rights of applicants in the tenant selection and admissions process and will also include a discussion of the special rights of tenants with respect to evictions\, rent issues\, and repairs. &nbsp\;&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:415be4b950042d4d08fdd70eb79d4742
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/415be4b950042d4d08fdd70eb79d4742
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T191500Z
DTEND:20260903T201500Z
SUMMARY:Family Preparedness in a Time of Mandatory Detention: The State of Habeas Corpus and Litigating Release in Federal Court
DESCRIPTION:Across Texas\, immigrant families face growing risks of detention\, creating urgent legal and practical challenges for advocates who support vulnerable communities. Many legal aid and nonprofit practitioners encounter these situations even if immigration law is not their primary area of practice. This session will provide an accessible overview of immigration detention and the role of federal habeas corpus litigation as a tool for challenging unlawful or prolonged detention and securing release from custody.\n\nPanelists will explain how habeas petitions function in the immigration context\, highlight recent legal developments\, and discuss how detention challenges are currently being litigated in federal courts across Texas. Drawing from their experience coordinating pro bono habeas efforts\, presenters will also explore practical considerations for advocates working with families at risk of detention\, including ethical issues\, cross-practice collaboration\, and ways to incorporate detention-related legal planning into broader family preparedness efforts. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of when habeas relief may be available and how legal services organizations and community advocates—even those outside immigration practice—can help support families navigating detention-related crises.\n\n
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d38f849fa38ff7914a0e9cd801b768da
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/d38f849fa38ff7914a0e9cd801b768da
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T191500Z
DTEND:20260903T201500Z
SUMMARY:Building Community-Based Legal Access: Lessons from the Economic Justice Initiative
DESCRIPTION:The access to justice crisis in Texas is well-documented\, but solutions at scale have been elusive. Community justice workers (CJWs)\, non-lawyer legal advocates who expand legal access in ways attorneys cannot alone\, represent one of the most promising responses to the problem. In Texas\, this model is already at work\, and an anticipated licensure framework could soon expand what non-lawyer advocates are authorized to do. This session uses the Economic Justice Initiative (EJI)\, with 25+ CJWs and attorneys across 10 legal service partners\, as a concrete case study in what building and running a CJW program requires. Presenters will share what the work has revealed about how CJWs make an impact\, what a structured learning approach for CJWs looks like\, how partner and community collaboration shapes the model\, and what implementation has taught us about responsible program design in Texas.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:52610363bf3026d162d0fe75b38749f1
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/52610363bf3026d162d0fe75b38749f1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T191500Z
DTEND:20260903T201500Z
SUMMARY:When Your Client Is Drowning: Trauma-Informed Communication in Bankruptcy Practice
DESCRIPTION:Imagine drowning financially for two years. You've depleted your savings\, destroyed your credit\, and broken your body trying to stay afloat. You finally call an attorney—your last hope—but you're terrified they'll judge you as a failure. So you minimize the debt\, you "forget" to mention the inheritance\, you tell them what you think they want to hear. That's your client. They desperately need help\, but shame won't let them ask for it honestly. They're not just seeking legal help—they're looking for someone who won't judge them\, who will hear them\, who can pull them to safety. But their trauma is so profound they can't tell you what you need to know to actually help them.\n\nResearch confirms this: over 60% of bankruptcy filers experience significant shame\, and most struggle for 2+ years before seeking help. That trauma creates real barriers—clients minimize debts\, omit assets\, avoid difficult topics\, and provide incomplete information. The result? Bad petitions\, trustee problems\, and malpractice exposure.\n\nThis session teaches you to recognize trauma responses in real time (defensive anger\, avoidance\, decision paralysis\, people-pleasing)\, use specific language that builds trust instead of triggering shame\, read verbal and non-verbal cues that signal hidden information\, and deploy strategic questioning that surfaces critical facts your clients are terrified to disclose.\n\nThrough interactive polling and real case examples—medical debt\, predatory lending\, hidden assets—you'll learn immediately applicable communication techniques. The presenters practice bankruptcy and other areas of consumer law\; one is a bankruptcy attorney with a master's degree in psychology. While the session focuses on bankruptcy practice\, these trauma-informed techniques apply across legal aid practice with financially distressed clients.\n\nYou can't help clients who won't tell you the truth. This session shows you how to create the safety they need to tell you everything.\n\n
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9306604210490ae0781a84593cd0497e
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/9306604210490ae0781a84593cd0497e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T191500Z
DTEND:20260903T201500Z
SUMMARY:A Place for Everything\, and Everything in Its Place: Protecting Family Homes from the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
DESCRIPTION:The Medicaid Estate Recovery Program seeks to recover the costs of long-term medical care after a Medicaid recipient passes away. Low-resource individuals who qualify for Medicaid worry that their children will continue the cycle of poverty and be left without the family home. &nbsp\;\n\nThis session is based on a project in which presenters have helped community members understand MERP and take steps to protect intergenerational assets before and after a loved one’s death. Presenters will discuss the disproportionate impact MERP can have on low-income and immigrant communities\, the role estate planning can play in preventing avoidable loss\, and how community justice workers and other trusted non-attorney advocates can help deliver critical legal information in accessible ways. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of the problem\, the outreach and legal education strategies being used in response\, and how similar approaches might be adapted in other settings.\n \nThis session discusses the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP)\, how it works\, and how low-resource families can protect the family home with low-cost probate alternatives.
CATEGORIES:PUBLIC BENEFITS & MLPS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:88dae15a9f2fe2154c4bfbbe37a419b8
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/88dae15a9f2fe2154c4bfbbe37a419b8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T203000Z
DTEND:20260903T213000Z
SUMMARY:Snack & Sip - Happy Hour!
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4b6e0f9663e973c7f43ce8f56a1b0e4a
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/4b6e0f9663e973c7f43ce8f56a1b0e4a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260903T214500Z
DTEND:20260903T224500Z
SUMMARY:Poverty Law Section Meeting
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0f111a9773593f9c290743a4a90685e7
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/0f111a9773593f9c290743a4a90685e7
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T124500Z
DTEND:20260904T135000Z
SUMMARY:Breakfast
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Grand Salon C\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cb8e421a377a10708318478c7dd986ab
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/cb8e421a377a10708318478c7dd986ab
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T140000Z
DTEND:20260904T150000Z
SUMMARY:Manufactured Housing in Rural Texas
DESCRIPTION:Rural Texas has unique housing challenges that manufactured housing attempts to address. Learn about manufactured housing in rural Texas\, how to address some of the common issues that arise with manufactured home ownership\, and eviction defense involving manufactured housing.
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:582598d52913f6cfd386443c029aa98a
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/582598d52913f6cfd386443c029aa98a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T140000Z
DTEND:20260904T150000Z
SUMMARY:Shields for the Vulnerable: Surviving and Thriving in USCIS Advocacy for T\, U\, and VAWA Cases
DESCRIPTION:Humanitarian relief for survivors of domestic violence\, trafficking\, and other serious crimes involves unique procedural hurdles and lengthy wait times. This session provides an advanced toolkit for handling T-visas\, U-visas\, and VAWA self-petitions. Topics include strategies for obtaining law enforcement certifications\, responding to complex Requests for Evidence (RFEs)\, and utilizing the Bona Fide Determination (BFD) process to secure work authorization for clients earlier in the process. We will also discuss the "Wellness" aspect of this work\, focusing on how staff can maintain high-quality representation while managing the secondary trauma inherent in survivor advocacy.
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e4a66de8de9871423a974520b80f1483
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/e4a66de8de9871423a974520b80f1483
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T140000Z
DTEND:20260904T150000Z
SUMMARY:Expunctions and Nondisclosures: Barrier Removal for Victims
DESCRIPTION:Victims face several invisible barriers that make it more difficult for them to leave. Or if they have left\, make it very difficult for them to stay away. This presentation can discuss how tools such as expunctions and nondisclosures\, amongst others\, can assist. The main tools we are going to discuss is going to be related to cleaning up a victims criminal history using expunctions and nondisclosures. Having a criminal history\, even when a case was ultimately dismissed\, can prevent someone from obtaining employment\, housing\, etc. and thus make it more difficult for victims to successfully leave. Expunctions would allow victims to erase eligible criminal records\, and nondisclosures would allow victims to hide their criminal history. &nbsp\;Similarly\, victims can also use tools like name changes\, &nbsp\;occupational driver's license (ODL)\, etc. to help remove barriers that prevent victims from leaving an abusive relationship.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:83411f20c6b80a838565376dcee5e491
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/83411f20c6b80a838565376dcee5e491
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T140000Z
DTEND:20260904T150000Z
SUMMARY:The True Cost of Being "Poor" in Texas
DESCRIPTION:Poverty in Texas extends far beyond low-income statistics. It is fundamentally an infrastructure problem where transportation gaps\, broadband deserts\, wireless coverage limitations\, and language access barriers compound each other to create complete service inaccessibility.\n\nThis session reveals how these barriers compound to create complete legal service inaccessibility\, even when programs like legal aid exist.\n\n Participants will leave with a framework for analyzing how infrastructure barriers affect their own programs' unmet need\, data collection strategies to quantify geographic service gaps\, and advocacy strategies for technology solutions that would equalize access to justice.
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0abd63421612bf1a86e775e30c87ba34
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/0abd63421612bf1a86e775e30c87ba34
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T140000Z
DTEND:20260904T150000Z
SUMMARY:Where Do I Even Start and What Does This Even Mean?: Parsing Legal Processes and Procedures for the Pro Se Litigant
DESCRIPTION:Many low-income Texans—to say nothing of nonlawyers in general\, regardless of their income level—face reading comprehension barriers that prevent them from fully accessing the civil justice system. TexasLawHelp is often the first place that people land when they’re trying to understand their legal matter. While Beacon Law tries to mitigate the potentially harmful effects the legal system can have on unhoused and indigent clients\, their resources—like the resources of all legal aids—are limited. &nbsp\;Beacon Law and TexasLawHelp come from slightly different places in legal aid\, but both have a lot to share about making legal information accessible. &nbsp\;\n\nExplaining complex legal matters issues to legal aid clients presents a challenge. Many U.S. adults read at or below a 6th-grade level\, and poverty is associated with lower literacy rates. Legal aid organizations must meet clients where they are—without watering content down to the point of inaccuracy or creating a process that’s too overwhelming for pro se litigants to proceed. The stressors that our populations face further complicate their ability to understand complex legal issues.\n \nThis presentation will explore ethical considerations and risks\, and offer tools\, best practices\, and pointers for explaining legal concepts in clear\, simple language in a way that empowers and educates. By the end of this session\, participants will have a better understanding of the importance of plain language in poverty law\, along with the legal and ethical considerations. We will teach strategies for putting this knowledge into action (whether in practice or by writing for the public).
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:801c515faa55879095c6961804097b0c
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/801c515faa55879095c6961804097b0c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T151500Z
DTEND:20260904T161500Z
SUMMARY:Cross-Border Custody Litigation: Hague Convention Remedies and Enforcing Foreign Custody Orders in Texas
DESCRIPTION:You may not think of yourself as an international family law attorney\, but you may already be handling cross-border custody disputes. Domestic violence survivors and immigrant families frequently encounter situations where international borders complicate custody\, visitation\, and safety planning. Parents may flee another country seeking protection in Texas\, while others may face allegations of wrongful removal or retention under international law.\n\nThis session\, presented by attorneys from the Binational Project on Family Violence at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid\, will provide an overview of two of the most important legal frameworks governing international child custody disputes: the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).\n\nAttendees will learn how Hague Convention proceedings operate in both incoming and outgoing cases\, including available remedies\, defenses frequently raised in domestic violence contexts\, and issue spotting in potential international abduction cases. The presentation will also cover the registration and enforcement of foreign custody orders in Texas courts under the UCCJEA\, including practical guidance for drafting pleadings\, preparing evidence and navigating common challenges in enforcement litigation.\n\nThis session aims to demystify international custody litigation and equip advocates with practical tools they can use in representing a parent involved in cross-border custody litigation.
CATEGORIES:FAMILY LAW
LOCATION:Grand Salons DE\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f554414ba37a8cf9be05e9d563fb3e36
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/f554414ba37a8cf9be05e9d563fb3e36
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T151500Z
DTEND:20260904T161500Z
SUMMARY:Public Housing Authorities & Advocacy Strategies to Preserve Housing
DESCRIPTION:In this session\, we will explore effective ways to advocate before Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to preserve our clients’ public or subsidized housing. We’ll consider how pressures facing PHAs and housing recipients affect advocacy strategies\, when to hold PHAs accountable through litigation versus collaboration\, and ethical issues that may arise in making that decision. And\, we’ll let you in on the top ten things we believe every housing recipient (and every housing advocate) should know to preserve their housing!
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:292438605337b62316b9d70112093c87
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/292438605337b62316b9d70112093c87
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T151500Z
DTEND:20260904T161500Z
SUMMARY:Bridging the Justice Gap: The Community Justice Workers of Texas Model in Action
DESCRIPTION:Too many Texans are left to navigate legal challenges without the support they need. The Community Justice Workers of Texas (CJW) Program addresses this gap by training and empowering trusted individuals who are already working or volunteering within Community Partner Organizations (CPOs). These community members help share vital legal information and connect people to appropriate resources and services.\n\nThis session will highlight the collaborative efforts of Disability Rights Texas\, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas\, Lone Star Legal Aid\, Texas Legal Services Center\, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in tackling the statewide justice gap for low-income Texans. While the program has already achieved meaningful progress\, it continues to grow\, with the long-term goal of establishing CJWs across Texas to meet the increasing demand for accessible legal support.
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0491e84ce70245f8a9e0c493fadb8889
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/0491e84ce70245f8a9e0c493fadb8889
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T151500Z
DTEND:20260904T161500Z
SUMMARY:ClearPathTX - Statewide Expunction Project
DESCRIPTION:This session will provide both legal education and a practical look at how technology can improve access tojustice by helping legal service providers scale record learing statewide:\n\n1. Substantive Law – An overview of Texas expunction law\, including common eligibility issues and practical considerations when screening cases.\n2. Collaborative Efforts – How legal aid organizations\, pro bono attorneys\, and community partners work together through the SEP to expand access to record-clearing services.\n3. Technology and Automation - An introduction to the automated expunction screening and document generation tool used by our project. We have hired a software vendor and anticipate new developments that we hope to demonstrate at the conference.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 202\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6fcb0971c337490f3ad758c943c62e83
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/6fcb0971c337490f3ad758c943c62e83
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T151500Z
DTEND:20260904T161500Z
SUMMARY:If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit…The Impact of Unjust Legal Financial Obligations and a Model for Justice Court Ability to Pay Determinations
DESCRIPTION:Across the country\, unjust fines and fees burden millions of Americans. Rather than serving justice\, these legal financial obligations trap people in poverty and prolong their involvement with the criminal justice system. Despite laws on the books that require ability to pay assessments\, Texas is no exception. This is especially true in our justice courts\, where defendants have no right to counsel and are often unaware of their right to have the judge determine their ability to pay and then sentence appropriately. In this session\, Lisa Foster\, Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of the Fines and Fees Justice Center\, and Judge Steven Duble\, Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1\, Place 2\, will present on: 1. The impact of unjust fines and fees on individuals\, families and communities\, 2. The positive outcomes of having effective ability to pay determinations\, and 3. How Harris County Justice of the Peace Court 1-2 is seeking to create a model ability to pay assessment process – one that is fair\, efficient and effective.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fe8f54cc5544500ce6bf495547c12af2
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/fe8f54cc5544500ce6bf495547c12af2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T151500Z
DTEND:20260904T161500Z
SUMMARY:Legal Tech Projects: How to Plan\, Procure\, and Manage Legal Tech Vendor Projects
DESCRIPTION:Managing legal tech vendor projects requires structured planning and ongoing oversight. This session outlines a practical approach to the procurement lifecycle\, starting with assessing project viability and securing stakeholder buy-in. We will cover how to draft focused RFPs that define requirements rather than solutions\, evaluate vendor proposals\, and manage the vendor relationship through completion by monitoring progress and addressing scope creep.
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ccfe0a4b431cb9f8027b18d5142265da
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/ccfe0a4b431cb9f8027b18d5142265da
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T163000Z
DTEND:20260904T173000Z
SUMMARY:Representing the Whole Family: Non-Legal Services Every Texas Family Lawyer Should Understand
DESCRIPTION:This session offers a deep dive into the real-world collaboration between social workers\, advocates\, attorneys\, and families. We will share direct experiences from the field\, illustrating how social work intervention acts as a vital "gateway" to services that run alongside and beyond the legal process.\n\nOur discussion focuses on the tactical side of partnership: how we can effectively back each other up both in the courtroom and during day-to-day advocacy. We will tackle the essential challenge of setting boundaries\, ensuring every professional has a clear lane and a defined role as the case unfolds.
CATEGORIES:FAMILY LAW
LOCATION:Grand Salons DE\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cb433fdebd4dba3e5053e7e5f32e21e8
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/cb433fdebd4dba3e5053e7e5f32e21e8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T163000Z
DTEND:20260904T173000Z
SUMMARY:Powerless: Keeping the Lights on for Tenants\, from the Property Code to the Constitution
DESCRIPTION:Tenant’s rights to prevent utility shutoffs exist on paper\, but not in practice. Although the Texas Legislature implemented what were intended to be accessible\, pro se-friendly statutes for both pre- and post-utility termination remedies\, those remedies can leave tenants in the dark for weeks. Tenants in manufactured home communities face even more difficulties due to the differences between Chapter 94 and Chapter 92 of the Property Code.\n\nThe pre-termination remedy\, Section 92.301 of the Property Code\, protects master-metered tenants from landlords who don’t pay their bills to the utility company. But tenants can only exercise their right to avoid a cutoff at the utility’s whim.\n \nThe post-termination remedy\, Section 92.0091 of the Property Code (the writ of restoration)\, is more accessible in practice. But because it is only accessible post-termination\, tenants can go without utilities for weeks while they scramble to hold their landlord in contempt of court. If 92.301 worked\, this problem would be significantly mitigated.\nThis presentation will discuss ongoing constitutional litigation regarding pre-termination shutoffs: terminating an innocent tenant’s utilities violates the 14th Amendment’s due process and equal protection clauses. It will demonstrate how to advocate for tenants facing utility shutoffs outside of court before termination\, in Justice Court after termination\, and in courts of record for constitutional advocacy. It will also discuss a work-in-progress white paper addressing this problem.
CATEGORIES:HOUSING AND CONSUMER
LOCATION:Grand Salons AB\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9eb1fb32b4fde4d68f6e90b17c922ada
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/9eb1fb32b4fde4d68f6e90b17c922ada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T163000Z
DTEND:20260904T173000Z
SUMMARY:Justice Blooms: Coalition Building to Address Legal Needs in Texas Legal Deserts
DESCRIPTION:Coalition building with a varied set of legal and non-legal partners in the Texas Panhandle has seeded the environment for a legal desert bloom in this region. This session will cover the successes and lessons learned during the Texas Immigration Law Council’s ongoing Panhandle Project\, including practical guidance for coalition building with legal and non-legal partners. This session will cover ethical boundaries of engagement and addressing unauthorized practice of law. Presenters will provide frameworks for coalition building and measuring impact\, including what organizations should consider when engaging partners\, and deciding on structure of the coalitions. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of the coalition building model and concrete examples to utilize in their own work.\n\n
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Junior Ballroom\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3659ca19e113e9680eb780fa2a9f5420
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/3659ca19e113e9680eb780fa2a9f5420
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T163000Z
DTEND:20260904T173000Z
SUMMARY:Representing Unaccompanied Children (UC)
DESCRIPTION:Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving unaccompanied children in the immigration system.\n\nThe Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA) is an expert legal resource center created by the American Bar Association (ABA)\, dedicated to helping legal practitioners stay up to date on frequent changes in immigration law and policy related to unaccompanied children.\n\nPanelists from KIND and CILA will conduct a detailed training on legal representation of unaccompanied children in removal proceedings and the humanitarian forms of relief available to them. Attendees will learn about how a child is designated an unaccompanied minor\, the process of obtaining legal relief and the importance of providing valuable pro bono legal representation for a vulnerable child facing removal. The training will also review the practical and ethical considerations of working with children\, while exploring interactive hypothetical case issues with the audience.
CATEGORIES:IMMIGRATION LAW
LOCATION:Conference Room 301\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5e0c2135c71596b6a83e4b418aa91ec3
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/5e0c2135c71596b6a83e4b418aa91ec3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260617T073855Z
DTSTART:20260904T163000Z
DTEND:20260904T173000Z
SUMMARY:Be a LEGO: What Legal Deserts Teach Us About Building Community Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:A staple in the toy industry is the building blocks known as LEGO – designed to connect\, build\, and bring structures to life through creativity and ingenuity. Similarly\, this session will teach legal advocates how to be a "LEGO"\, using lessons learned from serving communities in a legal desert to demonstrate practical\, adaptable strategies used by TxILC’s Economic Justice Initiative (EJI) fellows for connecting clients to both legal and non-legal resources to bridge the access to justice gap through their work in family law and domestic violence in rural areas. With limited resources and an expansive area to cover\, the ultimate question that EJI and the fellows aim to address is how do we best serve our clients with their legal and non-legal needs in a meaningful and intentional way\, extending client impact past their case. &nbsp\;“What Legal Deserts Teach Us About Building Community Partnerships” will discuss how the community justice worker (non-attorney advocates) framework is being used to address family law and domestic violence cases in rural communities\, and teach legal advocates in the session\, through hands-on and collaborative activities\, strategies on how to identify imminent needs in the community\, how to identify key partners that can help address those needs\, and how to facilitate sustainable yet flexible support systems specific to each community for attendees to take with them. The approaches shared are designed to be replicated across a range of settings where advocates face challenges in linking clients to meaningful support.
CATEGORIES:MULTIDISCIPLINARY/ MISCELLANEOUS
LOCATION:Classroom 203\, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center\, 1900 University Ave\, Austin\, TX 78705
SEQUENCE:0
UID:37524c2d5d9c83c9e198701cb4368d2b
URL:http://plc2026.sched.com/event/37524c2d5d9c83c9e198701cb4368d2b
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR