While many attorneys do not have a clinical or educational background that
focuses on mental health issues, they often find themselves representing clients
who suffer from mental health issues. This program will feature Dr. Edersheim of
Massachusetts General Hospital, a joint JD and MD, who will discuss representing
and interacting with mentally ill individuals in the courthouse setting.
Recently, Dr. Edersheim spoke to Massachusetts judges on this topic. Dr.
Edersheim will discuss practical skills and strategies to use when representing
clients with mental health issues in criminal matters. This presentation will
then be followed with a panel discussion by mental health experts, judges, court
personnel, defense attorneys and prosecutors.
The panelists will discuss:
- How to effectively advocate for clients with mental
health issues
- Strategies to help attorneys identify clients with
mental health issues
- Practical tips when representing clients with mental
illness
- Interview techniques
- How to obtain HIPAA releases
- Solutions and resources for clients and their
attorneys
- Alternative sentences
Following the panel and discussion, there will be a reception.
The MBA is offering a special $25 rate for government and public sector
attorneys. Please contact MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530 to
register.
Faculty:
Hon. Barbara S. Pearson, Program Co-chair
D. Christopher Dearborn, Esq., Program Co-chair
Suffolk University Law School, Boston
Georgia Critsley, Esq., Program Co-chair
Massachusetts Trial Court, Boston
Judith Edersheim, JD, MD, Panelist
Director, MGH Center for Law, Brain, & Behavior
Gregory Clifford, Panelist
BMC Mental Health Court
Crystal Lyons, Esq., Panelist
Dr. Jeffrey Minor, Panelist
BMC Court Clinician