The Partners for Justice Conference takes place annually, and presents a unique opportunity for legal services program staff, the public and private bar, members of the judiciary, human services agencies, elected officials, and others to discuss critical issues facing people in poverty and the underrepresented across the mid-Atlantic region and how we can improve access to justice.

In 2027, we celebrate our 28th year of this conference, and we invite panelists from various public interest organizations, government agencies, and law firms across the mid-Atlantic and beyond to share their thoughts and ideas while leading discussions on key access-to-justice issues.

This conference typically draws an in-person audience of almost 350 attendees. About 50% of our typical audience includes staff of legal services providers.  The other 50% includes representation from judges, social workers, service organizations, private bar lawyers, government lawyers, paralegals, law students, elected officials, and more, providing an opportunity of engagement with various perspectives on access-to-justice issues.

1. Have at least 2, but no more than 3 panelists, and 1 moderator. Sessions submitted with more than 3 panelists will not be considered.
2. A panelist cannot be a moderator on the same panel.
3. Make sure your panel moderator and panelists all represent different organizations. No more than one representative per organization will serve on a single panel. Sessions with repeat organizations represented will not be considered.
4. Be diverse! Make sure that your topic includes diversity across the board. This includes diversity in race, gender, geography, program, and perspective.
5. Sessions should provide key takeaways and encourage discussion. Interactive sessions will be highly considered.
6. Have a well-thought-out submission. While you may leave some fields blank or with "TBD", full submissions are usually selected over ones that need more development.

Each session should last 70 minutes, with an additional 5 more minutes at the end for the audience to complete evaluations for the session (75 minutes total). Be mindful that your 70 minutes includes introductions, content, and questions from the audience. There will be 15-minute breaks between sessions.

Breakdown of the Day

• 8:15 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast & Registration
• 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Morning Plenary
• 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM: 1st Morning Sessions
• 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM: 2nd Morning Sessions
• 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch & Keynote Address
• 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM: Afternoon Sessions
• 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: PILC's Spring SPARK Social (Networking Reception)

• Your Name
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Organization
• Organization Location
• Session Title
• Draft a brief, 1-paragraph description of the session to be included in the program
• An informal description of why you think this session is relevant to the legal services community and the Conference
• Names, organizations, and locations of 2 or 3 potential panelists
• Name, organization, and location of 1 moderator

If your panel is selected, it is expected that you will:

• coordinate this session, and be the main point of contact for the panel when the Conference Planning Committee or Coordinator have inquiries about the session;
• collect and submit your session's final information, biography profile information, headshots, and electronic materials to be shared with attendees to the Conference Coordinator by deadline;
• provide slides, an outline or handouts for attendees;
• invite your colleagues and friends to register for the Conference; and
• make arrangements to be flexible for the full day of the Conference (Wednesday, May 19, 2027) in case you are unable to present at your preferred session time.

If your session is selected, it is expected that the Conference Planners: 

• reserve the right to make changes in the recommended presenters, program, and materials;
• may be in contact with you regarding planning;
• will provide a day-of meeting space, including a projector, laptop, and screen for presentations, and
• will provide complimentary all-day registration for the panel coordinator, panelists, and moderator.

If a proposal is selected:

• The panel coordinator will submit a final session submission form, which will include the contact information of all confirmed session participants (1 moderator, 1 coordinator, up to 3 panelists; there may be overlap between coordinator and the other 2 positions).
• The participants confirmed in the form will be provided a promo code for complimentary admission and a link to register.
• All presenters are expected to be available for the majority of the conference day in order to facilitate session scheduling.
• Financial support from PBRC is very limited and panel coordinators and presenters are expected to support all expenses outside of registration. To make a request for special accommodation, contact Kiah Pierre at kpierre@probonomd.org.
• All presenters are expected to attend the Conference, for their session only or for the whole day, in-person, but if travel expenses are a barrier, virtual options may be available. To make a request for virtual presenting, contact Kiah Pierre at kpierre@probonomd.org.