4/10/09

The State Bar of Michigan Domestic Violence Committee, in partnership with the SBM Pro Bono Initiative, the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Michigan Poverty Law Program, and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, will conduct a seminar on Monday, May 11, for attorneys and other service professionals who work with victims of domestic violence and abuse.

The highlight of the event is a lecture by Dr. Andrew Levin, a nationally recognized expert on psychological trauma, and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He will speak about the nature of the traumatized client and how this impacts the helping professional. After the lecture, Dr. Levin, domestic violence prevention advocates, and family law attorneys will facilitate an interactive workshop on ways to minimize the emotional and psychological impact on the legal and professional provider.

The event will take place concurrently at Cooley Law School campuses in Auburn Hills, Lansing, and Grand Rapids from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dr. Levin's lecture from Auburn Hills will be simulcast live to satellite campuses. Facilitators will be on hand at each location, and each site will conduct its own interactive workshop. Lori Pourzan, managing attorney for Legal Services of South Central Michigan—Lansing and Erica Schmittdiel, Michigan State University Safe Place/CARE Advocate will facilitate at the Lansing site. Patti Haist, director of clinical services of the YWCA West Central Michigan and Regina Badger, attorney with the Legal Aid of Western Michigan, will facilitate in Grand Rapids.

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