Domestic Violence: Training Lawyers and Judges with a Trauma-Informed Lens

Friday, October 31, 2025

9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Central
Virtual via Zoom

Approved for 4.5 hours of Texas MCLE, of which .75 is ethics

This course has been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for certification and recertification continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and paralegals in the following specialty fields:

Child Welfare Law (4.5 hours)

Family Law (4.5 hours)

Agenda

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9:00–9:30a	Welcome and Legislative and Case Update The Honorable Janet B. Heppard Retired — Presiding Judge 387th Judicial District Court Adjunct Professor University of Houston Law Center
9:30–10:00a	Protective Order Overview (TFC and CCP) Melissa Cass Pickett Associate Jenkins & Kamin LLP
10:00–10:30a	Unique Challenges related to disability/language access/LGBTQ+ The Honorable Richard T. Bell Associate Judge 387th Judicial District Court Adjunct Professor University of Houston Law Center
10:30–11:00a	Landlord/Tenant Rights in the Face of Family Violence LéJoi R. Toliver Managing Attorney – Fort Bend Office Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
11:00–11:45a	Family Violence in the Age of Technology Steven Bradley Safety and Technology Expert The OurFamilyWizard® Website
11:45a–12:15p	Intersection of Family Violence and Immigration Josephine Sorgwe Director of Immigration & Civic Engagement BakerRipley
12:15–12:45p	Dealing with High Maintenance Clients The Honorable Barbara J. Stalder Former Judge of the 280th Judicial District Court Attorney at Law Adjunct Professor University of Houston Law Center
12:45–1:15p	Attorney Risks/Safety Representing Family Violence Clients Maisha Colter, LCSW, JD Chief Executive Officer Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
1:15–1:30p	Final Questions and Closing

Speakers

Judge Richard (“Rick”) Bell

The Honorable Richard T. Bell
Associate Judge
387th Judicial District Court
Adjunct Professor
University of Houston Law Center

Steven Bradley, aka “Tech Cowboy”

Steven Bradley
Safety and Technology Expert
The OurFamilyWizard® Website

Maisha Colter

Maisha Colter, LCSW, JD
Chief Executive Officer
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse

Janet Heppard

The Honorable Janet B. Heppard
Retired — Presiding Judge
387th Judicial District Court
Adjunct Professor
University of Houston Law Center

Barbara J. Stalder

Melissa Cass Pickett
Associate
Jenkins & Kamin LLP

Barbara J. Stalder

Josephine Sorgwe
Director of Immigration & Civic Engagement
BakerRipley

Barbara J. Stalder

The Honorable Barbara J. Stalder
Former Judge of the 280th Judicial District Court
Attorney at Law
Adjunct Professor
University of Houston Law Center

Janet Heppard

LéJoi R. Toliver
Managing Attorney – Fort Bend Office
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse

The University of Houston Law Center is part of a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university and an EO institution.