2026 MIE National Conference for Legal Aid Managers

This session examines the malpractice exposure and ethics questions that most affect those who manage and supervise legal work in legal aid organizations. We will discuss the recent US Supreme Court case, Berk v. Choy, and its impact on litigation. We will explore how to define and document the scope of representation and frequent missteps which may impact legal aid organizations. We will address the responsible use of artificial intelligence—by lawyers and staff, and increasingly by the clients they serve—and what that means for competence, confidentiality, and supervision. We will discuss obligations regarding supervision of lawyers and non-lawyers and how best to meet those obligations through policies, procedures, and effective training. We will also cover the growing complexity of multijurisdictional practice in this remote world. Finally, we will explore the ethical and practical considerations that arise when withdrawing as counsel. Drawing on the ABA Model Rules, ABA Formal Opinions, and real-world scenarios relevant to legal aid practice nationwide, this session equips managers to spot emerging issues early, strengthen their organizations’ internal safeguards, and support the attorneys they supervise in meeting their professional obligations.

Managing attorneys wear a lot of hats. Client advocate. Supervisor. Trainer. Compliance officer. But somewhere between the caseload and the compliance calendar, there's a job that rarely gets named: project manager.

This session is designed for managing attorneys and legal aid managers at any level who are looking for practical, low-barrier tools and systems to bring more structure, visibility, and collaboration to their teams. Whether you're managing a team of two or twenty, coordinating across offices or time zones, or just trying to reduce the number of things that fall through the cracks, this session will give you a working toolkit you can put into practice.

We'll explore how managing attorneys can apply project management principles and tools, from simple task tracking systems to shared collaboration platforms, and even Generative AI tools, without requiring a technology background or a dedicated IT department. We'll cover how to match the right tools to your team's actual workflow, how to build buy-in from staff who are already stretched thin, and how to create systems that don't collapse when key people are out.

Attendees will leave with a framework for evaluating project management tools, practical examples of what can work in legal aid environments, and concrete first steps for building or strengthening the organizational infrastructure behind their team's legal work.