2025 Equal Justice Conference: Full Schedule

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10:00am EDT

Pathways to Growth: Building Professional Development for Mission Impact

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am EDT

Professional development is an important part of a program’s strategies to build capacity and increase retention among staff. Join this session to learn how to support intentional, meaningful, and effective professional growth. Consider and share your own professional development goals, addressing skill-building, substantive knowledge, personal growth, and career path objectives.

Speakers

Amy Petkovsek

Executive Director, Community Law Center

Amy Petkovsek, Esq., is the Executive Director of the Community Law Center, in Baltimore, Maryland. She oversees a team advocating for restoring power to neighborhoods and local communities through innovative legal assistance. Amy was previously the Deputy Chief Counsel at Maryland... Read More →

Jared Smith

Director of Programs, MIE

Jared Smith is MIE’s Director of Programs, a role in which he works to develop innovative remote and in-person trainings, engaging resources, and effective spaces for collaboration. In this role, he also supports private and legislative fundraising efforts, including by enhancing... Read More →

Julia Wilson

Coach & Consultant, Julia Wilson Coaching

Julia R. Wilson is a leadership and team coach and nonprofit management consultant working with individuals and teams in civil legal services nonprofits around the country. She brings to her work over 25 years of experience in legal services, having served in a variety of roles from... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am EDT
Continential 9

Sessions

11:30am EDT

Networking Lunch: Reproductive Rights

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

Continential 9

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Continential 9

Networking Lunch

1:15pm EDT

Advancing the Mission: Leveraging Efficiencies & Automating Tasks with AI

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

Continential 9

Legal services can use AI to promote equity and justice by improving efficiency and accuracy. Maryland Legal Aid's recent adoption of an AI policy and the development of tools like mlaGPT can show how automation can streamline tasks, from document summaries to routine processes. This session will offer practical steps to implement AI while maintaining ethical standards.

Speakers

Russ Bloomquist

Program Manager & Senior Full Stack Developer, Maryland Legal Aid

Russ Bloomquist is a Program Manager & Senior Full Stack Developer at Maryland Legal Aid, specializing in software development, innovation, and automation. With over 25 years of experience in design and development, Russ has a proven track record of leading transformative technology... Read More →

Kristi Schulenberg

Chief Operating Officer, Maryland Legal Aid

Kristi Schulenberg serves as Chief Operating Officer at Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) , where she spearheads operational initiatives that ensure efficient, high-quality legal support for underserved communities. With extensive experience in nonprofit management, Kristi has been instrumental... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Continential 9

Sessions