2024 AILA Paralegals Conference and Webcast
| Live Event Date: 08/05/2024 - 08/06/2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Format | Length | CLE Eligible |
| Conference | 2 Days | No |
At the heart of a successful immigration firm are highly effective and skilled paralegals and support staff.
This August, AILA is hosting a two-day, in-person conference and simultaneous webcast that will provide paralegals and support staff with insights into the complexities and practicalities of immigration law, preparing them to effectively assist their supervising attorneys and clients.
Designed by AILA members (including former paralegals) with experience training support staff, the program will feature expert faculty covering all aspects of what an immigration paralegal encounters in day-to-day practice. Faculty will begin by providing a foundational overview of the paralegal’s role before expanding into subject-matter-specific information on a range of topics. Sessions will delve into issues relevant to employment-based immigration, removal and relief, adjustment of status, immigrant visa processing, family-based immigration, and much more.
Each session will culminate with a question-and-answer period, allowing attendees to interact directly with faculty and gain further insights. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hone your paralegal skills and network with your colleagues from across the country!
But wait, there’s more!
AILA has launched a new AILA Affiliated Paralegals (AAP) program, a comprehensive program to support immigration paralegals and give them the tools and knowledge necessary to be successful through innovative training, products, and community building. When you join the AAP program, you will receive a $100 discount on your conference registration. That means that the $79 cost of becoming an AAP for one year immediately pays for itself and then some. It’s a no-brainer! (You must first become an AAP and then register for the conference to receive the $100 discount.)
Note:
All conference registrants will receive digital recordings of every presentation, allowing you to revisit panels of special interest and catch any sessions you may have missed during the live conference.
All registrations are subject to approval. In order to qualify for registration, all paralegals or support staff must attest that they work for an AILA member attorney. AILA restricts registration for this conference exclusively to AILA law student members, the paralegals of AILA members, and AILA members. All paralegals, whether part of the AILA Affiliate Program or not, must first create an account on AILA.org to register for AILA products and services.
2024 AILA Paralegals Conference and Webcast
At the heart of a successful immigration firm are highly effective and skilled paralegals and support staff. This August, AILA is hosting a two-day, in-person conference and simultaneous webcast that will provide paralegals and support staff with insights into the complexities and practicalities of immigration law, preparing them to effectively assist their supervising attorneys and clients. Designed by AILA members (including former paralegals) with experience training support staff, the program will feature expert faculty covering all aspects of what an immigration paralegal encounters in day-to-day practice. Faculty will begin by providing a foundational overview of the paralegal’s role before expanding into subject-matter-specific information on a range of topics. Sessions will delve into issues relevant to employment-based immigration, removal and relief, adjustment of status, immigrant visa processing, family-based immigration, and much more. Each session will culminate with a question-and-answer period, allowing attendees to interact directly with faculty and gain further insights. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hone your paralegal skills and network with your colleagues from across the country!
August 5–6, 2024
The Venetian Convention & Expo Center
Las Vegas, NV
Monday, August 5, 2024 | Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Times listed on the program are Pacific Time (PT)
Note: All sessions and events are subject to change without notice.
Monday, August 5, 2024
| 7:30 am – 6:30 pm | Registration and Exhibits |
| 8:00 am – 8:10 am | Welcome and Remarks
Flavia Santos Lloyd, Conference Program Committee Chair, Newport Beach, CA |
| 8:10 am – 9:40 am | Role of a Paralegal
Paralegals are indispensable assets in the operation of law firms, nonprofits, and in-house legal teams, playing a multifaceted role by supporting attorneys, assisting clients, and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to advance cases efficiently. Our panelists will discuss the qualities, skills, and crucial measures it takes to be a successful immigration paralegal.
|
| 9:40 am – 10:10 am | Networking Break |
| 10:10 am – 11:10 am | Using Artificial Intelligence Responsibly: A Powerful Ally for Paralegals
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable tool that has the potential to empower paralegals to work smarter, not harder. By responsibly embracing AI, paralegals can enhance their skills, improve their efficiency, and deliver better service to clients. But keeping up with the latest trends can be tough. Panelists will give you crucial updates and practical resources to stay abreast of the latest changes in AI, which will help you advance your career as an immigration paralegal.
|
| 11:10 am – 12:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 12:00 pm– 1:00 pm | Practice Management and the Paralegal
The paralegal’s role assisting with practice management is evolving and becoming more demanding. Attorneys and clients are increasingly relying on paralegals for updates and assistance with cases. Panelists will provide helpful tips and tricks for dealing with practice management issues and difficult clients.
|
| 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Networking Break |
| 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Employment-Based Immigration 101
Panelists will provide an overview of employer-sponsored immigration, “from soup to nuts.” They will review the basics of both nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) and immigrant visas (IVs). Finally, they will discuss basic (but important) concepts that are inherent in employment-based (EB) immigration.
|
| 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Networking Break |
| 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Hot Topics in Employment-Based Cases
Panelists will discuss the latest developments and hot topics in employment-based immigration. They will synthesize what they have learned in 2024, and what may be in store for 2025.
|
| 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Networking Break |
| 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | NIV and IV Options for Extraordinary/Exceptional Individuals: Creative Approaches for the Exceedingly Talented
Expert panelists will provide an overview of NIV and IV options for those who possess extraordinary or exceptional abilities. From unusual cases to practical tips, the discussion will cover creative approaches and utilizing the evidence available for cases that don’t fit the typical H, L, or PERM mold.
|
| 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Networking Happy Hour |
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
| 8:00 am – 5:30 pm | Registration and Exhibits |
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing: “To Go, or Not to Go, That Is the Question”
Expert panelists will discuss the two different routes to permanent residency. They will provide a broad overview of the factors to consider when choosing between adjustment of status (AOS) and consular processing for employment– and family-based green cards. Next, they will carefully examine issues ranging from maintaining and changing existing status, through the practical consideration of processing an immigrant petition abroad versus filing with USCIS. The possible positive and negative effects of each of these issues will be discussed.
|
| 9:30 am – 10:00 am | Networking Break |
| 10:00 am – 11:00 am | Family-Based Immigration 101: “It’s All Relative”
Our panelists will lay the groundwork for the essential knowledge paralegals need to work on a family-based immigration case (from beginning to end). Most family cases follow a similar process. Speakers will discuss (in detail) common issues paralegals encounter throughout the process of working on a family-based case, including who can be sponsored, documentary challenges, and ethical issues.
|
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 11:30 am – 11:45 am | AILA Affiliated Paralegals (AAP) Presentation
Reid Trautz, Senior Director, AILA Practice & Professionalism Center, Washington, D.C. AILA is excited to introduce you to the benefits of being an AILA Affiliated Paralegal (AAP), an opportunity designed to elevate and empower paralegals with the tools needed to succeed. This new initiative builds upon AILA’s commitment to providing exceptional support to our members by expanding the association’s legacy of professional development to paralegals. Reid Trautz, AILA Senior Director of the AILA Practice and Professionalism Center, will quickly survey the career-enhancing resources available to AAPs, including new paralegal communities, greater access to technology and practice management resources, and AAP-only virtual roundtables. |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Removal 101: The “Who, What, Where, When, and How” of Removal Proceedings
The results of removal proceedings almost always have significant (and sometimes dire) consequences for noncitizen clients. Our panel of experts will provide an overview of removal proceedings, including who is placed in removal, how to locate them, significant milestones, common applications for relief from removal, and how to assist clients after proceedings have concluded.
|
| 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Networking Break |
| 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Humanitarian Cases: “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free”
Our panelists will provide a broad overview of the relief available to the most vulnerable immigration populations by discussing the “nuts and bolts” of humanitarian cases. The session will include how to screen and identify prospective clients, applying the facts of a case to potential protections, and what to do when the individual’s story does not add up.
|
| 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Networking Break |
| 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Removal, Family, and Humanitarian Hot Topics in an Election Year: New Trends, New Issues
The U.S. immigration system is subject to constant changes. Expert panelists will provide an overview of the current state of play in removal, family, and humanitarian cases. They will review the latest trends and important updates in immigration court. Finally, they will offer insights about what may unfold in this election year and beyond.
|
| 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Networking Break |
| 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Communicating with Vulnerable Migrants: Removing Barriers and Building Bridges
Effective communication with vulnerable migrants is crucial for ensuring equal access to rights and services in the immigration field. Our panel of experts will cover pressing issues—e.g., language barriers, cultural sensitivities, and accessibility concerns—offering practical and thoughtful solutions to help improve engagement and empower marginalized communities. Finally, they will provide suggestions and tips for paralegals to facilitate building more inclusive and equitable pathways for clients.
|
| 5:30 pm | Conference Concludes |
Program Committee
Flavia Santos Lloyd, Conference Program Committee Chair, Newport Beach, CA
Tammy Lin, Conference Program Committee Vice Chair, San Diego, CA
Jesse Evans-Schroeder, AILA Family Section Steering Committee, Tucson, AZ
Charlotte Slocombe, AILA Business Section Steering Committee, London, UK
Mandi B. Bucceroni, AILA Verification & Documentation Liaison Committee, Philadelphia, PA
Janice A. Flynn, AILA CBP Liaison Committee, London, UK
Brenda Oliver, AILA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Reston, VA
Brian J. Ramsey, AILA USCIS Field Operations Liaison Committee, Las Vegas, NV
Ganesh Kalyanaraman, Sacramento, CA
Bademba Barry, Bethesda, MD
Flomy J. “FJ” Diza, San Francisco, CA
Samira Ghaderi, Mclean, VA
Jeff Joseph, AILA President-Elect, Denver, CO
JJ Area, AILA Education Program Manager, Washington, D.C
No CLE is available for this conference.
| Early Bird Rate (Through 07/12/24) |
Regular Rate (After 07/12/24) |
|
| Members (In-Person) | ||
| AILA Affiliated Paralegals* | $595 | $795 |
| AILA Law Student Members | $395 | $595 |
| Nonmembers (In-Person) | ||
| Non-Affiliated Paralegals | $695 | $895 |
| Members (Webcast) | ||
| AILA Affiliated Paralegals* | $495 | $695 |
| AILA Law Student Members | $295 | $495 |
| Nonmembers (Webcast) | ||
| Non-Affiliated Paralegals | $595 | $795 |
You can register for this event quickly and securely online by adding this item to your cart before the deadline and paying by credit card. We encourage you to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration and register by July 12, 2024.
Once you register online, the registration system will auto-generate a receipt to your paid registration.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Information and Protocols
AILA no longer requires proof of vaccination status to attend the AILA in-person conferences, meetings, or events. Mask-wearing is optional, at the discretion of each attendee. Please act responsibly and with consideration for the health and safety of others. For more information, please read the full protocols at: COVID-19 POLICY.
If you have any questions, please email conferences@aila.org.
Tuition Assistance
Full and partial tuition assistance will be offered for AILA National Conferences and Seminars based on need and availability. Please complete the tuition assistance application for consideration.
Paralegals*
Have you signed up to be an AILA Affiliated Paralegal (AAP)? While it isn’t a requirement to attend this conference, we highly recommend that you sign up as an AAP before you register. AAPs receive a $100 discount on their conference registration, which covers the $79 introductory annual fee for becoming an AAP and then some! You must become an AAP before completing checkout for this conference to take advantage of the discount. To become an AAP, go to www.aila.org/my-aila/application and select the AILA Affiliated Paralegal membership type.
AILA’s Meeting Code of Conduct:
AILA is committed to providing a professional and productive learning environment for all participants and staff. As a result, all participants are expected to follow all stated meeting and event instructions and guidelines in order to maintain an atmosphere of professionalism, mutual respect, and collegiality. AILA members in particular are expected to adhere to the principles set forth in AILA’s civility code. The guidelines herein apply to all AILA in-person, virtual, webcast and online programming including but not limited to AILA conferences, seminars, online courses, and roundtables. All participants must comply with the following guidelines to participate in the meetings and events:
- All participants are expected to maintain a professional and civil discourse throughout AILA’s in-person/virtual meeting and event space. Participants are prohibited from using any defamatory, abusive, profane, discriminatory, harassing, threatening, and/or offensive language during the sessions or events including but not limited to Q&A, chat rooms or any activity that takes place in the virtual space.
- All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderators and/or any event staff.
- Disruption of sessions, events or any activity that takes place in-person or in virtual space is prohibited.
- Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services unless preapproved by AILA. AILA reserves the right to remove any such communications that have not been preapproved.
- Participants may not record, transmit, copy, or take screen shots of any sessions or events including but not limited to Q&A, chat rooms or any activity that takes place in the event space without prior approval from AILA. Participants who do not comply or are in violation of any of AILA’s meeting guidelines may be denied further access and participation at the discretion of event organizers. AILA is not responsible for reimbursement or refund if you are denied access or participation due to violation of AILA’s Meeting Code of Conduct.
Participants can contact conferences@aila.org with any questions or concerns related to AILA’s Meeting Code of Conduct.
Registration Approval
All registrations and reservations are subject to approval. Registrations and reservations received without payment will be returned. Registrations are NOT transferable and cannot be split among conference attendees. Cancellations must be received by the cancellation deadline date in writing to be eligible for the full refund (less $50 processing fee). Exceptions to the cancellation deadline will be made for emergencies and valid medical issues submitted with supporting documentation. Any and all liability of AILA with respect to registration, reservations, cancellations, changes in the location or content of the program, and refunds is limited to a sum no greater than the registration fee paid. Under no circumstances shall AILA be liable for incidental or consequential damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, the cost of transportation or lodging. Submission of registration and payment constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions herein.
Non-member Registration
Attendance at in-person, virtual, webcast and online programming including but not limited to AILA conferences, seminars, online courses, and roundtables is solely restricted to AILA members and their employees, government employees, and nonmember attorneys. Non-attorney attendance is limited to the employees of AILA members in good standing, to HR professionals who have an AILA member reference, employees of accredited educational institutions providing support to international student and scholar services at their employing institutions, and accredited representatives under 8 CFR §292.2. AILA will reject conference registrations from persons who provide representation without authorization in violation of 8 CFR §292.1, such as for-profit "immigration consultants" and "notarios."
Registration Details
I understand that AILA will collect and store the data provided by the conference registrant to be included on the conference attendee list, and to provide me with information on AILA products and services. I may limit dissemination of information by AILA by updating communication preferences in my personal record at http://www.aila.org/myaila. I understand that AILA is based in the United States and that the European Commission does not consider United States laws to provide an adequate level of data protection. If I am a resident of a country of the European Union, I understand that my consent is the lawful basis for transfer of my personal data to the United States and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. I also understand that the transfer of my personal data to the United States in the absence of adequate protection and without safeguards deemed appropriate by the European Commission may pose certain risks, including that United States law may not provide for data processing principles, data subject rights, or enforcement of those rights analogous to those in the European Union. For a full description of AILA’s data collection and privacy policy, visit http://www.aila.org/privacy-policy.
Use of Photographic Images
Registration and attendance at the AILA conferences and events constitute an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant's image, voice, and/or electronic communication in photographs, video recordings, electronic reproductions and video/audio recordings of such events by AILA. Your registration may include technology that monitors your activities throughout the meeting, such as session attendance and booths visited.
ADA Request
AILA will provide ADA assistance if requested. Please e-mail conferences@aila.org with your special needs at the time of conference registration. Assistance may not be available if an adequate notice period is not provided.
The conference will take place at the:
The Venetian Convention & Expo Center at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas
3355 and 3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South
3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South (Palazzo Tower)
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South (Venetian Tower)
Las Vegas, NV 89109
The Venetian Convention & Expo Center is equidistant from the Palazzo Tower and the Venetian Tower.
AILA Block of rooms has sold out. Please check the hotel website for the current best available rate.
Southwest
Southwest Airlines is pleased to offer 2024 AILA Paralegals Conference attendees discounted fares. Discount valid for travel 8/3/2024 to 8/8/2024.
Go to https://www.swabiz.com/, enter the Company ID 99311376, and select flight details to get the discount. Contact 888-479-2249 or SouthwestAirlines@iluv.southwest.com for customer service needs.
United
United Airlines is pleased to offer a discount for attendees traveling to LAS VEGAS (LAS) for the 2024 AILA Paralegals Conference. Valid travel dates to/from LAS are 8/3/2024 to 8/8/2024.
Go to www.united.com (Advanced Search page), enter your flight details, click on “Upgrades, certificates, and promotion codes” pull down menu, and enter promo code ZP2R163992 under “Promotions and certificates” to get the “Special offer” rates. MileagePlus members will earn valuable miles for their travel when using the Meetings discount code.
Please contact meetings@united.com with any questions or booking issues. US and Canada based attendees may also call United Meeting Reservations at (800) 426-1122. Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations.
Cancellations received by July 12, 2024, entitle registrants to a full refund (less $50 processing fee). Cancellation requests will not be accepted after July 12, 2024, but the conference materials will be made available to all registrants in their AILA Shop Digital Libraries. Exceptions to the cancellation deadline will be made for emergencies and valid medical issues submitted with supporting documentation. All cancellations must be submitted by email to conferences@aila.org.