MBA Webinar: "Representing and Respecting Transgender and Non-binary Clients"
As a service to our members and the general public, the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation is sharing the following announcement. MCFM is not responsible for the content of this announcement and is not a sponsor of the program or programs described in this announcement.
*** Training Announcement from the Massachusetts Bar Association ***
MBA Webinar: "Representing and Respecting Transgender and Non-binary Clients and People in the Courts"
Thursday, April 15, 2021
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Please join the Massachusetts Bar Association's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Judicial Administration Section Council for a webinar that will help legal practitioners better interact with and advocate for those who identify as non-binary or transgender.
Defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, civil litigators and court staff will gain key skills that are necessary when working with people who are transgender or non-binary. Whether you are representing a client, putting a witness on the stand, conducting a jury voir dire, or just speaking to someone during a court proceeding, negotiation or other court event, it is important to be familiar with basic terminology and concepts related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
The discussion will be moderated by Shayla Mombeleur, Esq. and led by Connor Barusch, Esq. Barusch (he/they) is a transgender public defender and public defender trainer in Massachusetts, where he has a decade of experience representing clients as a public defender and frequently consults with other public defenders in Massachusetts and throughout the country about working with trans and non-binary clients and witnesses. Barusch has also worked as a trans activist and trainer since 2003.
The program will familiarize attorneys with:
- Basic terminology and concepts relating to sexual orientation and gender identity
- How to ask people what name and pronouns they would like to use in various situations
- Common barriers faced by trans and non-binary people in the court system
- Some actions that can be taken with all clients or litigants in order to signal support of transgender/non-binary people with whom they may not know they are interacting
MBA Members: Free
Nonmembers: $50