Federal Bar Council presents
Trauma-Informed Advocacy and Lawyering
Recorded on April 23, 2026
CLE Credit Info: 0.5 Non-transitional credit in Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias, 1.0 transitional/ non transitional credit in Skills
This panel examines how attorneys can effectively advocate for clients whose claims involve trauma, in a legal system that may not fully account for its impact. Moderated by Judge Robert Levy, a diverse panel—including a practitioner, academic, psychiatric expert, and someone with lived experience—will share strategies for presenting trauma-related evidence, countering misconceptions about prior trauma and damages, and protecting clients while strengthening the credibility of their claims.
Moderator
The Honorable Robert Levy
United States Magistrate Judge, EDNY
Panelists
Professor Amber Baylor
Columbia Law School
Dr. Elizabeth Ford
Columbia University Department of Psychiatry
Margaret Gandy, Esq.
Corva Law LLP, and
former AUSA, EDNY
Dr. Derrick Stroud, DSW, LCSW, CASAC
Interborough Developmental & Consultation Center
Coordinators
Eleanor Davis, Esq.
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Deborah Francois, Esq.
David B. Shanies Law Office
Civil Rights Committee Co-Chairs
David Shanies, Esq.
David B. Shanies Law Office
Deborah I. Francois, Esq
David B. Shanies Law Office
Federal Bar Council Program Committee Co-Chairs
Celeste Koeleveld, Esq.
Clifford Chance US LLP
Julian S. Brod, Esq.
Shapiro Arato Bach LLP
In order to register, you must sign in to your Federal Bar Council account. If you do not have an account, you can create one using this link.
This program is free for Federal Bar Council Members and $75.00 for Non-Members. For more information about the benefits of membership in the Federal Bar Council, click here.
Financial Hardship Policy
The Federal Bar Council is pleased to offer a 50% discount on the cost of its CLE Programs to attorneys who are unemployed, who are employed in the public sector or who work for a not-for-profit entity and are able to establish financial hardship. The original application for this discount must be submitted to the Federal Bar Council at least two weeks prior to the CLE Program for which it applies. Please contact the Council for an application form. If you have any questions, please contact CLE@federalbarcouncil.com.