The 2026 LSA Building Bridges for Access to Justice Public Interest Law Conference successfully brought together legal professionals, support staff, and advocates from across the state in Birmingham for two days of learning and fellowship. The event served as a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and reflecting on the impact of advocacy in Alabama.
This year’s conference included three conference tracks: introductory and advanced legal training on LSA’s core service areas (housing, consumer, family, and public benefits) as well as an additional track for developing client management skills and generating personal growth in the workplace.
Conference Highlights
Day 1: Tuesday, September 22
Intro to Landlord/Tenant Law: LSA Housing Lead Attorney, Jennifer Blazer
Foreclosures & Ejectments: LSA Mobile Lead Attorney, Gabriel De Moske
TRUE Listening – Listening Better Together: Elizabeth Vander Kamp, TRUE Founder
Tips & Tricks from the Bench Plenary: Judges Debra Weston-Pickens, Tiffanie Agee, W. Casey Duncan & Brian Huff
Intro to Consumer Law: LSA Consumer Lead Attorney, Rachele Reis
Consumer Issues in Car Cases: Chris Donald, Alabama Car Lawyers, LLC
Effective Client Interviews: Crystal Gregory, Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations
Intro to Domestic Violence: Sam Armstrong, Safehouse of Shelby County
Filing Emergency Motions in Divorces: Brian Turner, Gregory Fann Turner Law, LLC
Conflict Management: Randy Gibson, Hughes Harper Gibson
Day 2: Wednesday, September 23
The second day continued with specialized sessions and culminated in the LSA Awards Luncheon:
Intro to Unemployment Lead Attorney: Rachelle Greczyn, LSA Empowerment Lead Attorney
Social Security Hearings from the ALJ Perspective: Judge Cynthia Brown
Dealing with Burnout & Time Management: Jack Carney, Certified Elder Law Attorney
Advocacy in Action – The Work of Public Interest Partners in Alabama Plenary: Robyn Hyden (Executive Director, Alabama Arise), Scott Fuqua (Legal Director, Alabama Appleseed), Leah Nelson (Senior Research Associate, Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
LSA STAFF ADVOCACY AWARDS
Support Staff of the Year
Tanya Snow
Montgomery Administrative Assistant
Pam Barnes
Tuscaloosa Administrative Assistant
Rising Star of the Year
Amira Calhoun
Montgomery Staff Attorney
Advocate of the Year
Kendra Johnson
Birmingham Lead Attorney
LSA Office of the Year
Huntsville Office
YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS
5 YEARS
Kyle Anderson, Tuscaloosa Managing Attorney
Bennett Hand, Help Desk Analyst I
Antoinette Harris, Development Coordinator
Pharthina Moppins, Mobile Administrative Assistant
Robert Rygiel, Assistant Development Director
Louise Seale, Data Analyst I
Tanya Snow, Montgomery Administrative Assistant
10 YEARS
Rachelle Greczyn, Dothan Managing Attorney//Call Center Staff Attorney
Rachele Reis, Mobile Staff Attorney
15 YEARS
Austin Gaines, Call Center Paralegal
Laurie McFalls, Director of Operations
20 YEARS
James Chipley, Call Center Managing Attorney
Maceo Kirkland, Montgomery Staff Attorney
Lydia Mann, Call Center Intake Specialist
Doris Pincheon, Call Center Intake Specialist
Patricia Trabanino, Birmingham Administrative Assistant
25 YEARS
Angela Newton, Dothan Administrative Assistant
