The University of Houston Law Center
and Generation to Generation: Shaping Children’s Futures
co-convene
Zealous Advocacy: Helping Youth Defenders Become Better Advocates
About the Conference
This conference is designed for juvenile defense attorneys to be stronger advocates for youth in conflict with the law.
May 14 – 15, 2026
9:00AM – 5:00PM Central
Third Ward Multi-Purpose Center
3611 Ennis St., Houston, Texas 77004
Approved for 14.25 hours of Texas MCLE credit, of which 3.25 hours is ethics
This course has been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for certification and recertification continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and paralegals in the following specialty fields:
Criminal Law (14.25 hours)
Juvenile Law (14.25 hours)
Topics
- Use of AI
- Panel featuring youth from The Democracy Lab
- Immigration Law
- Updates Every Juvenile Defense Attorney Needs to Know
- Texas Children’s Hospital: How Attorneys and Medical Providers Can Work Together to Serve Children
- Girls in the Juvenile Justice System
- And more …
Space is limited. We encourage you to sign up early. If you register and it appears likely you will not be able to attend, please let us know so we can include others.
For more information email Rifqa Sa'Aadat at Rifqa@shapingchildrensfutures.org
| Time | Event Details |
|---|---|
| Thursday, May 14, 2026 | |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM |
Law Update (.5 hours) |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM |
Getting the Most from Your Client (1.5 hours; .75 ethics) |
| 10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break |
| 10:45 – Noon |
Juvenile Justice and AI (1.25 hours; .25 ethics) |
| 12:00 – 12:30 PM | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 1:15 PM |
What is Youth Leadership: Opportunity Center Youth (.75 hours) |
| 1:15 – 3:00 PM |
Update on Child Welfare (1.75 hours) |
| 3:00 – 3:15 PM | Break |
| 3:15 – 4:45 PM |
Immigration Law Updates Every Juvenile Defense Attorney Needs to Know (1.5 hours; .25 ethics) |
| 4:45 - 5:00 PM | Wrap Up |
| Friday, May 15, 2026 | |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Welcome |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM |
Ethics and Juvenile Justice (1.5 hours; 1.5 ethics) |
| 10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break |
| 10:45 – 12:15 PM |
Girls in the Juvenile Justice System (1.5 hours; .25 ethics) |
| 12:15 – 12:45 PM | Lunch Break |
| 12:45-1:45 PM |
Law Roundtable Discussion of the Film Children’s March – Encouraging Youth Voices (1.0 hour) |
| 1:45 – 3:15 PM |
Youth Health and the Juvenile Justice System (1.5 hours; .25 ethics) |
| 3:15 – 3:30 PM | Break |
| 3:30 – 5:00 PM |
Policy Changes in Juvenile Justice (1.5 hours) |
Partners
The University of Houston Law Center is part of a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university and an EO institution.
