Product Details

About the Seminar
This program will provide attorneys, judges and victim advocates with the essential information and skills needed to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking navigate safety options in both civil and criminal proceedings in South Carolina. The presentation will cover both the basic legal requirements as well as essential practice tips from experts in the field regarding how to overcome the various challenges, myths and systemic barriers clients face when considering and pursuing these options.  Participants will also learn about the critical role that attorneys can play in developing holistic, victim-centered legal safety plans that help a survivor find safety, maintain privacy, access available supportive resources and seek offender accountability.  Lastly, participants will learn about existing support resources for victims and opportunities to provide pro bono and low bono representation.

Seminar Agenda
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Tricia Ravenhorst, General Counsel, SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Understanding the Importance of Trauma-informed, Victim-Centered, Holistic Legal Safety Planning
Kimbrely Crain, Victim Advocate, Laurens County Safe Network
Tricia Ravenhorst, General Counsel, SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Overview of Civil Protective Orders in South Carolina & Key Research Findings of Report on Orders of Protection in SC
Prof. Lisa Martin, Asst. Professor, USC School of Law – Domestic Violence Clinic
Order of Protection Basics
Prof. Lisa Martin, Asst. Professor, USC School of Law – Domestic Violence Clinic
Panel: Hot Tips for Overcoming Common Challenges in Order of Protection Cases
Nicole Jackson, SC Legal Services, VOCA Unit Head – Columbia Office
Melissa Arnold, SC Legal Services - Greenville
Krystal Watson, President/CEO, Project R.E.S.T.
Kharimah Dessow, Paraclete Law Center
Accounting for Safety Concerns in Extended Family Law Cases
Scott McNeish, Family Law Unit Head, SC Legal Services – Charleston
Lunch & Learn Panel (Optional, does not qualify for CLE credit)
Olivia Jones, Executive Director, SC Bar Foundation
Betsy Goodale, Director of Private Attorney & Community Engagement, SC Legal Services, Sarah Ford, Legal Assistance to Victims Program Director, SC Victim Assistance Network
Marie Sazehn, Legal Assistance to Victims Program, Attorney, SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Stalking/Harassment Restraining Orders – From the Basics to Shattering Common Myths & Challenges
Shanise Greenfield, Greenfield Law LLC
Safety Options in the Criminal Justice System
Brittany Scott, Asst. Solicitor, 13th Circuit Solicitors Office
Jenny Desch, Asst, Solicitor,16th Circuit Solicitors Office
Victim Rights & the Role of a Victim’s Attorney in Criminal Justice Proceedings
Sarah Ford, Legal Assistance to Victims Program Director, SC Victim Assistance Network
Post-Conviction Civil Emergency & Permanent Restraining Orders in Magistrate Court & Common Pleas
Leslie Fisk, Law Office of Rhett Burney
Issue Spotting for Additional Administrative & Civil Legal Options for Increasing Safety
Meghan Gilmer, Senior Staff Attorney Legal Assistance to Victims Program, SC Victim Assistance Network
Tricia Ravenhorst, General Counsel, SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Trauma-Informed Lawyering & Attorney Self Care
Domestic violence and sexual assault programs across the country have increasingly adopted a trauma-informed approach within their organizations. But when we support survivors in a legal context, specific challenges may arise that make it harder for us to maintain a trauma-informed approach to our work. This session will provide a framework as well as concrete tips for applying a trauma-informed approach to supporting survivors in the context of legal proceedings, which includes strategies for the attorney to also engage in active self-care and safety planning to minimize stress, impact of vicarious trauma and burn out.
Tamika Cannon, Senior Staff Attorney, Legal Assistance to Victims Program, SC Victim Assistance Network
Jada Charley, CEO, Crittenton of North Carolina
Adjourn

Mandatory MCLE Credit Hours
This seminar qualifies for 6.33 MCLE credit hours, including up to 1.0 SA/MH hour and 6.33 Civil/Criminal Judges credit.

This seminar is a Basic level program.

Note: When submitting your compliance reports to the SC Commission on CLE and Specialization, if you completed this in 2025please use this course code: 250982ADO.  

Tags Criminal; Family; Big Ticket