Representing a client with mental health issues and/or other developmental disabilities can be a challenge to the immigration practitioner. How does one work with a client facing these issues? How does one effectively represent the client's best interests? What are the client's best interests? How to wend one's way through the removal proceedings labyrinth?
Topics Include:
- Representing Clients Facing these Challenges
- Evolving Government Policy
- Determining Competency
- Detention
- Matter of M-A-M-, 25 I&N Dec. 474 (BIA 2011)
- Matter of L-T- (BIA 2010), appeal dismissed Nov. 8, 2010
- Matter of B-Z- (BIA 2011) (decision pending)

Faculty:
- Maria Baldini-Potermin (dl), Chicago, IL
Maria Baldini-Potermin founded Maria Baldini-Potermin & Associates, P.C. She focuses on removal defense, federal litigation, waivers, naturalization, family-based cases, and immigration consequences of criminal dispositions. She is the author of Immigration Trial Handbook (2010); Defending Non-Citizens in Minnesota Courts (2010); and Defending Non-Citizens in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin (2009). She received the Edith Lowenstein Award for Excellence in Advancing the Practice of Immigration Law (2010) and the AILA Chicago Chapter Minsky Mentor Award (2004).
- Craig R. Shagin, Harrisburg, PA
Craig Shagin is the founding member of the Shagin Law Group LLC in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His firm addresses all areas of immigration law and he is a volunteer with AILA MAP. He is a graduate of Haverford College and Villanova School of Law.
- Hon. Mimi Tsankov, EOIR, Denver, CO
Hon. Mimi E. Tsankov is an immigration judge in Colorado. Currently, she serves as Chair of the BIA Precedent Committee and as a Pro Bono Liaison Judge. In addition, she is Vice-Chair of the FBA Colorado Chapter, secretary of the FBA Immigration Law Section, and a liaison member of the Colorado Chief Justice's Commission on the Legal Profession. Ms. Tsankov completed degrees in law and foreign affairs at the University of Virginia in 1990.
(dl) = discussion leader * = invited, not yet confirmed

Cost and Registration:
The cost of this webinar is a special rate of $59. You can register securely online using a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card. Please note that if you use the online registration, you do not need to download the registration form and send it in. You can also download and complete the registration form. Please fax the completed form with payment information to the AILA National Office at 202-783-7853. Registration fee includes toll-free number for callers in the U.S. Callers outside the U.S. should contact teleconference@aila.org for information about how to connect to the call and additional direct dial charges that apply. Registration is limited to one participant per connection for the event. Please do not share call-in information with other users, as you will be billed for each connection associated with your name. The deadline to register is Monday, February 6, at 11:59 pm eastern time. No refunds will be given after the session has started. Registrants will receive confirmation of their participation via email the day before the session starts. No additional notices will be provided.

Tuition Assistance Program:
Full and partial tuition assistance will be offered for all AILA National CLE programming based on need and availability. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, attorneys in non-profit or legal service organizations, attorneys seeking to devote their skills to public service, law students, and unemployed attorneys. Preference will be given to AILA members and applicants who have not received a prior award. Please complete the Tuition Assistance Application for consideration. No phone calls, please.