What is the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO?
The VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO project is an innovative virtual community of practice, offering monthly interactive CLE sessions. Each session includes a Topic Presentation by a Subject Matter Expert and a Case Presentation for discussion.
The mission of the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative 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 Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO, participants gain exclusive access to an online learning platform that allows them to view upcoming session details and download presentation materials from completed sessions. There is no need to register for individual CLE sessions; participants will automatically receive reminders for all sessions offered by the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO.
We welcome:
- General legal practitioners interested in attending the sessions regularly;
- Subject Matter Experts who would like to present 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 Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO Sessions
The VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO’s FREE CLE 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 Pro Bono Collaborative 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.
Click here to Join the Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO and attend upcoming sessions.
Upcoming 2024 Sessions
Adult Guardianship 101 Series (1 General CLE Credit per Session)
BONUS SESSION!
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 – Part 5: Do You Really Need a Guardian? Identifying Decision Making Supports
New Mexico statutes require that least restrictive alternatives to guardianship must be considered before a guardianship petition is filed. Learn how to use ABA’s PRACTICAL Tool to evaluate whether an individual needs guardianship and explore the alternatives to guardianship available in New Mexico.
Presenters:
Alice Liu McCoy – Executive Director, New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council
Alice Liu McCoy is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council, which houses the Office of Guardianship. Previously, Alice served as Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Department. Prior to her Cabinet appointment, Alice worked as an attorney at Disability Rights New Mexico, representing and advocating for New Mexicans living with disabilities in systemic impact litigation, individual cases, and legislative and regulatory advocacy—including representing individuals in guardianship proceedings and advocating for systemic guardianship reform.
Alice currently serves on the New Mexico Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS). She previously served on the Supreme Court Ad Hoc Guardianship and Conservatorship Rules and Forms Committee, and on the board of the New Mexico Guardianship Association.
Joseph Turk – Office of Guardianship Legal Director, New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council
Joseph Turk is the Legal Director at the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) Office of Guardianship. He joined the DDC as Chief Operating Officer in January 2020. Prior to working with DDC, he worked as a Staff Attorney with Disability Rights New Mexico, representing individuals with disabilities whose legal rights had been violated. At DRNM, Joe’s practice focused on representing individuals in administrative proceedings, and in state and federal courts, regarding issues such as Medicaid and DD Waiver eligibility, employment law, and special education. Before working at DRNM, he practiced law in New Mexico and New Jersey for 13 years.
Foreclosure Defense and Alternatives (1 General CLE Credit)
- Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Presented by: Penelope Quintero, Esq. – Associate Attorney, O’Brien & Padilla, P.C.
Previously Offered Sessions
Recordings, presentation, and resource materials are available for individuals enrolled with the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO program.
Adult Guardianship 101, 4-Part Series
Presenter: Patricia Galindo, Supervising Attorney, Administrative Office of the Courts
- 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
Income Tax, 3-Part Series
EMPOWERING FAMILIES/CLIENTS: AN INCOME TAX PERSPECTIVE
Presenter: Grace Allison, Staff Attorney and former Director, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, New Mexico Legal Aid
- 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
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.