Saturday, September 29, 2007 - 8:00am to 2:00pm
Northeastern University School of Law
400 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Law students from all area law schools, attorneys and community domestic violence advocates are invited to attend a one-day conference on emerging issues in domestic violence litigation. Various panelists, including many Northeastern University School of Alumni, will participate in the panels and workshops to share their views from the field.
TENTATIVE AGENDA:
8:00am: Registration, Breakfast and Welcome
8:45am: Plenary Workshops (Choose one of two)
The Defense of Battered Women: Has the Law Changed in 30 Years?
The plenary will present Defending Our Lives, an independent film, directed by Margaret Lazarus and Renner Wunderlich. This Oscar� winning documentary features four women imprisoned for killing their batterers and their personal testimonies of their abuse and subsequent criminal prosecution. Following the film, Professor Ken King and Attorney Kevin Reddington will present their perspectives on the legal challenges of defending battered women who fought back. Professor Ken King represented one of the film�s narrators in her commutation hearing and Attorney Kevin Reddington has represented battered women throughout his career, most recently a battered wife whom a Cape Cod grand jury refused to indict for killing her husband.
The Dynamics of Rape: A Particular Challenge for the Legal System
This session will focus on the conceptualization of rape. Rape will be discussed in terms of myths and realities, actual rape statistics, concepts of force and consent, and the failure of the criminal justice process to address the needs of rape victims. Joining the panel will be Professor Ilene Seidman who teaches at Suffolk University School of Law and consults on the legal needs of rape victims and Attorney Stephanie DeCandia, the legal director for the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.
10:30am: Workshops: Session One (Choose one of three)
Understanding Lethality: Individual Risk Factors and the Dangers of Legal Intervetion
Securing a Massachusetts Protective Order in the District/Municipal and Probate Courts
Civil Legal Remedies for Rape Victims
11:45am: Workshops: Session Two (Choose one of three)
Securing a Massachusetts Protective Order in the District/Municipal and Probate Courts [Repeat]
Family Court: The Challenges for Victims of Domestic Violence
Criminal Prosecutions: The Risks and Benefits for Rape Victims
1:00pm: Lunch and Volunteer Fair
During lunchtime, representatives from Boston�s leading domestic violence and sexual assault service organizations will be introduced. Conference attendees will be able to exchange information with advocates and learn about possible volunteer or clinical placement opportunities for law students. Organizations represented include the Asian Task Force, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Casa Myrna Vasquez, Child Witness to Violence, Greater Boston Legal Services and Victim Rights Law Center.
To register, click here.