Health Law Advocates, Inc.’s Post

Exciting news! I will be presenting at the NSW Australian Lawyers Alliance annual conference in Sydney tomorrow, contributing to the abuse law stream. My presentation will focus on 'Liability and child safety in educational settings: Navigating changes to duty of care, briefing witnesses and case preparation'. Looking forward to sharing insights and engaging with the legal community on this important issue. #NSWAustralianLawyersAlliance #AbuseLaw #ChildSafety #LegalConference #EducationLaw

Today marks my final day of taking instructions from LPC Law. The final (remote) hearing has concluded and my attendance note has been typed up. Reflecting on the (steep!) learning curve this experience has provided me, I can't wrap my head around just how quickly the past 10 months have passed. The 300+ hearings and trials I have attended during this time have helped me develop skills beyond just advocacy. I gained confidence, I was able to put into practice the knowledge gained throughout my BPC studies and form connections with fellow advocates, advocacy managers and court staff all over the Northern Circuit. I have become somewhat of a go-to person to ask questions about self-employed advocacy in the lead-up to pupillage/another round of applications among my connections and slightly beyond in the past few months. My answer to "should I apply to become an advocate?" remains a resounding YES. I don't think it gets much better than being in court just about every single day. My next chapter is all about building upon this experience and becoming even more pupillage-ready for the next round of applications... but more on that next week!

IEP documents are private. Only those with an educational need are legally permitted to access them, protecting the student’s confidentiality and rights.  #IEPConfidentiality #EducationRights #PrivacyMatters #SpecialEducationLaw #StudentSupport #ParentAdvocacy #LegalGuidelines #InformedParents

This week I was reminded of the impact the work we do as attorneys has on society. Whether you’re working in Criminal Law litigating issues regarding a persons liberty, or Civil Law litigating issues regarding how people get to live their lives, the work has the power to profoundly alter the course of countless lives. It often does. The result of practice then for so many attorneys both young and “seasoned” can often be both explicit and implicit impacts on their mental health and emotional well being. Now I’m not saying these are reasons not to get into this work. In fact my career thus far has been some of the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. But it is a call to action. Unfortunately it’s not enough to talk about the need for mental healthcare in this space. It’s not enough to simply agree. We need to actively support one another. The population we serve deserve as much. They’re deserving of advocates that can remain effective at achieveing consistent outcomes because they’re taking care of themselves outside of work. So, put simply, check on your network doing this work because put plainly, it’s needed. #mentalhealth #legal #selfcare #advocacy

The people who attend mediation are decision-makers with the power to both make crucial choices and release necessary funds to support your child's education. #MediationProcess #SpecialEducation #AdvocacyMatters #IEPMeeting #ParentAdvocacy

Appearing before the Parole Board can feel daunting at times. It's hearings are usually heard in private. Unlike other courts, you don't get much opportunity to see other people's advocacy styles, killer cross-examination, and hard hitting closing submissions. Some hearings can be very adversarial whilst others require a very light touch. Some hearings involve police officers, other hearings involve challenging very complex psychological risk assessments. You simply don't get to to have those big criminal trial experiences where you observe other advocates and think "oh that was really good I am going to pinch that". We only know what works from trial and error, and whether its reflected in the written decision produced by the panel. Unlike criminal advocacy, there are few written resources on how to persuasively argue your case. This poses a problem, how can we ensure we are making the most of our cases and really persuading panel members? There is one potential solution! Join No5 Barristers' Chambers and SL5 Legal for Seminar Two in our Parole Board Series "Advocacy before the Parole Board" 22 May 2024, No5 Chambers, Savoy Court London. 2pm-5.30pm. Hurry there's only 13 tickets left!! Hear directly from HH Peter Rook KC (judicial vice chair of the Parole Board) and Fiona Ainsworth (specialist psychologist member) on what works and what doesn't. Stick around to hear top tips from: Philip Rule KC, Andrew K Sperling, Emma McClure, Yasmin Karabasic, Michael Bimmler and myself. Can't make it in person? Purchase a ticket and you will be sent a recording of the seminar together with the lecture materials. Event link: https://lnkd.in/e5bj5ZGX #prisonlaw #parole

———Advocating for Vulnerable Clients——— As a Consumer Directed Service Coordinator, I’ve witnessed the challenges faced by our elderly and disabled clients. Sometimes, there are other individuals living in their homes who may take advantage of their vulnerability. Here’s what we can do to support our clients. Listen and Observe: Pay attention to subtle signs. Is the client anxious or distressed when certain people are around? Observe interactions between the client and others in the household. Build Trust: Establish rapport with the client. Let them know you’re there to advocate for their well-being. Encourage open communication. Create a safe space for them to share concerns. Document Incidents: Keep detailed records of any concerning behavior. Note missed medications, neglect, or property damage. Educate the Client: Gently discuss your observations without accusing anyone. Empower the client to recognize exploitation. Explore Alternatives: Discuss other living arrangements if necessary. Connect them with resources like Adult Protective Services. Advocate Persistently: If APS doesn’t act, seek legal advice. Consider involving local law enforcement or pursuing civil remedies. ***Remember, our role is to protect and uplift our clients. Let’s be their voice and ensure their safety*** #ElderlyCare #Advocacy #ClientWellBeing

Exciting news from the KENTUCKY LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOUNDATION INC (KYLAP)! We are proud to announce a new partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to implement AFSP’s Interactive Screening Program (ISP). This initiative is designed to provide vital mental health and suicide prevention support specifically for Kentucky’s legal professionals, including lawyers, judges, and law students. AFSP is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to advancing science, advocacy, and education for suicide prevention. The Kentucky Legal Professionals’ Interactive Screening Program (KLP-ISP) is an evidence-based, online tool that allows individuals to connect anonymously with peer and clinical support before crises emerge. This program is the first of its kind in the country targeted specifically at legal professionals. This program is available to all members of the Kentucky Bar Association. We encourage all Kentucky law students, lawyers, and judges to take advantage of this valuable resource. To access the screening program, visit: https://lnkd.in/es8XV4uF. Remember, if someone you know is considering suicide or is in a mental health crisis, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Let's work together to support the well-being of our legal community. #MentalHealthMatters #LegalProfessionals #KYLAP #SuicidePrevention #AFSP #Lawyers #Judges #LawStudents #KentuckyBarAssociation

Navigating mental health within criminal justice is complex. Individuals with mental illness often struggle to access fair treatment and legal protections. We are dedicated to providing compassionate representation and ensuring every client receives the support they need. From advocating for fair trials to exploring diversion programs, we're here to help. If you or someone you know is facing these challenges, contact us to discuss how we can assist. Your well-being and rights are our priority. Learn more about how we can help at silvalegal.com Related Topics: mental health wellbeing diversion program criminal law criminal defense lawyer in California #mentalhealthisimportant #mentalhealthhelp #mentalhealthcare #mentalhealthjourney #criminaljustice #mentaldisorder #lawfirm #lawyers #lawfirm #legaladvice #legalservices #juvenile #criminaldefense #attorneys