What is the VAP CLE ECHO?
As an accredited CLE provider, VAP offers its volunteer attorneys a resource and learning platform, along with free CLEs through the VAP CLE ECHO Program.
This innovative virtual community of practice uses the ECHO model to offer interactive CLE sessions. Each session includes a topic presentation by an attorney who serves as the subject matter expert and a hands-on case presentation that allows participants to address a problem of practice related to the topic presentation.
The mission of the VAP CLE ECHO is to expand the knowledge and expertise of volunteer attorneys across the state through tele-mentorship while building a collaborative community of practice focused on the legal needs of low-income rural New Mexicans. Together, we hope to empower the pro bono community and ensure New Mexicans can access expert knowledge wherever they live!
By joining the VAP CLE ECHO Program
Volunteers gain exclusive access to:
- An online resource webpage and a learning platform that includes details on past and upcoming CLEs;
- View CLE recordings; and
- Download presentation and resource materials.
*The one-time registration to join the platform allows full access to all CLEs offered by the Volunteer Attorney Program of New Mexico Legal Aid. There is no need to register for individual CLE sessions; participants automatically receive reminders for all sessions offered by the VAP Pro CLE ECHO Program.
We welcome:
- Current and new volunteer attorneys interested in attending free CLE sessions;
- Legal practitioners interested in presenting a CLE on a topic of interest to the legal community; and
- Case presenters who would like to introduce a case study/problem of practice relating to a topic for discussion.
If you are interested in presenting on a specific topic or submitting a case study/problem of practice, please email vapecho@nmlegalaid.org
Upcoming CLE ECHO Sessions
The FREE VAP CLE ECHO sessions are not your ordinary CLE!
- Interactive learning sessions
- Including a Topic Presentation by a Subject Matter Expert and a Hands-On Case Study for discussion;
- Sharing support, guidance, and feedback with peers;
- All while using an All Teach/All Learn framework
By joining the VAP CLE ECHO, participants consent to be added to the VAP volunteer attorney pool and consent to join the project ECHO web-based platform for exclusive access to on-going session material and resources.
Upcoming 2025 Sessions
Click here to join the VAP CLE ECHO Program and attend upcoming CLE sessions.
*By registering for this CLE, you will automatically join the VAP CLE ECHO Program. Through this CLE program, participants will access on-going FREE CLE’s, resource materials and meaningful pro bono opportunities.
Empowering Family Law Clients: An Income Tax Perspective (3-Part Series)
Presenter: Grace Allison, Staff Attorney and Former Director, New Mexico Legal Aid Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
Thursday, January 9, 2025: Empowering Family Law Clients, Part 1/3: Tax Credits & Tax Preparer Misconduct Knowledge is power. Build better client relationships by helping your clients learn about the millions of dollars of legitimate child-based tax benefits available to them—if they can avoid rampant income tax preparer misconduct!
Thursday, January 23, 2025: Empowering Family Law Clients, Part 2/3: What is a “Qualifying Child” and Why It Matters
There is more to child-based income tax benefits than meets the eye! Using examples drawn from practice, and a generous dash of humor, Grace will walk you through a potentially bewildering array of rules and exceptions.
Thursday, January 30, 2025:
Empowering Family Law Clients, Part 3/3: Allocating Income Tax Benefits Between Parents in a Split-Up
Did you know that family court allocations of income tax benefits (e.g. “Mom can claim Susie, Dad can claim Jack”) do not control for income tax purposes? Tune in while Grace Allison explains how to allocate income tax benefits, including tax credits, between parents in a split- up.
Presenter Bio:
Grace Allison is a Staff Attorney—and former Director—at the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at New Mexico Legal Aid.
Prior to joining NMLA, she served for six years as Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law and Qualified Tax Expert in the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at the UNM School of Law. A graduate of The University of Chicago Law School and Wellesley College, Grace has practiced as a tax attorney for more than 44 years, “retiring” in 2011 as Tax Counsel, Tax Strategist and Senior Vice President at the Fortune 500 wealth manager, Northern Trust. She has published numerous articles on tax topics in professional journals over the years, and has served on the boards of four New Mexico nonprofits. She is a past Chair of the Charitable Planning and Organizations Group, Real Property Trust and Estate Section of the American Bar Association and is Treasurer of the Tax Section of the State Bar of New Mexico.
Previously Offered Sessions
CLE recordings, presentation and resource materials are available for individuals enrolled with the VAP CLE ECHO program.
Succession Planning (1 General CLE Credit)
Why everyone needs an estate plan and what is included in an estate plan
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Presenter: Judge Carbon-Gaul, Bernalillo County Probate Court
Navigating Foreclosure and Learning its Alternatives
An explanation of the general foreclosure process with insight as to the creditor’s perspective to help those defending a foreclosure better represent and guide their debtor clients. It will also discuss the alternatives to foreclosure and strategies to help facilitate a pleasurable experience and outcome for those facing foreclosure.
Presenters:
Penelope Quintero, Esq. – Associate Attorney, O’Brien & Padilla, P.C.
Jennifer Isom (Jeannie) – Attorney, IDEA Law Group, LLC
Adult Guardianship 101, 4-Part Series
- Part 1: Petition to Hearing
- Part 2: Appointing the 3 Professionals & Preparing for the Hearing
- Part 3: Dealing with Family Conflict
- Part 4: Post-Adjudication Issues
Presenter: Patricia Galindo, Supervising Attorney, Administrative Office of the Courts
- Part 5: Do You Really Need a Guardian? Identifying Decision Making Supports
Presenters:
Alice Liu McCoy – Executive Director, New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council &
Joseph Turk – Office of Guardianship Legal Director, New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council
Income Tax, 3-Part Series
EMPOWERING FAMILIES/CLIENTS: AN INCOME TAX PERSPECTIVE
- Part 1: Helping Low- & Middle-Income Families Get Their $ From the IRS
- Part 2: Understanding Income Tax Benefits for Low- & Middle-Income Families
- Empowering Clients, Part 3: Allocating Income Tax Benefits Between Parents in a Split-Up
Part 4: Post-Adjudication Issues
Presenter: Grace Allison, Staff Attorney and former Director, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, New Mexico Legal Aid
Project ECHO
Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), or Project ECHO, was originally created as a medical model to tele-mentor doctors across geographic distances. The goal of this model has been to create better outcomes among patients by sharing best practices among doctors treating specific illnesses. This model has since been adapted and is now being used around the globe in other fields, including education and civics.