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New Mexico Legal Aid

Elevate Your Legal Practice with the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO CLE Program

For attorneys passionate about making a difference and eager to expand their legal expertise, the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) of New Mexico Legal Aid offers a unique and rewarding opportunity: the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO – CLE Program. This innovative program provides volunteer attorneys with free, high-quality Continuing Legal Education (CLE) sessions and a robust learning platform, all designed to enhance your practice while making a meaningful impact on the community. 

What is the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO? 

The VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO – CLE Program is an accredited CLE provider that uses the ECHO model to create a virtual community of practice. Each session includes a topic presentation by an experienced attorney and a hands-on case presentation, allowing participants to address practical issues related to the topic. This approach fosters interactive learning and builds a collaborative community focused on the legal needs of low-income rural New Mexicans. 

Exclusive Benefits for Volunteer Attorneys 

By joining the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO – CLE Program, volunteer attorneys gain access to: 

  • A Comprehensive Learning Platform: This includes detailed information on past and upcoming CLEs, access to CLE recordings, and downloadable presentation and resource materials. 
  • Continuous Professional Development: Volunteers can earn CLE credits while expanding their knowledge and skills through interactive sessions. 
  • Supportive Community: The program offers peer support, mentoring, and opportunities to share insights and feedback with fellow attorneys. 

Empowering Pro Bono Attorneys 

The mission of the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO is to expand the knowledge and expertise of volunteer attorneys across New Mexico through tele-mentorship. This program aims to build a supportive and knowledgeable pro bono community that can effectively address the legal needs of low-income individuals, especially in rural areas. 

Diverse and Practical CLE Sessions 

The CLE sessions offered through the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO are designed to be practical and directly applicable to pro bono work. Recent sessions have covered a wide range of topics, such as: 

  • Succession Planning: Addressing the essentials of estate planning and the importance of having a comprehensive plan in place. 
  • Navigating Foreclosure: Offering insights into the foreclosure process and strategies for representing debtor clients. 
  • Adult Guardianship: A multi-part series that guides attorneys through the complexities of guardianship cases, from petition to post-adjudication issues. 
  • Income Tax for Low- and Middle-Income Families: A series focused on helping families maximize their tax benefits and navigate income tax challenges. 

These sessions are not your ordinary CLEs. They are interactive, using an All-Teach/All-Learn framework to ensure that participants not only gain knowledge but also contribute to the learning experience. 

Join the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO 

Participating in the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO – CLE Program is simple and rewarding. Once registered, you gain full access to all CLE sessions offered by the program without the need to sign up for individual sessions. You will receive reminders for all upcoming sessions, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to learn and grow. 

The program welcomes: 

  • Current and New Volunteer Attorneys: Those interested in attending free CLE sessions. 
  • Legal Practitioners: Those interested in presenting a CLE on a topic of interest. 
  • Case Presenters: Those who would like to introduce a case study or problem of practice for discussion. 

If you are interested in presenting on a specific topic or submitting a case study, please email vapecho@nmlegalaid.org. 

Make an Impact Today 

By joining the VAP Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO, you become part of a dedicated community of legal professionals committed to ensuring justice for all New Mexicans.  

Click here to join the Pro Bono Collaborative ECHO and attend upcoming sessions. Empower yourself and your community through this innovative and impactful program. 

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