Pro Bono Week | Racial Impact Sensitivity Education

Celebrating Pro Bono Week: October 20 - 24.

Join us for a week of free CLES presented by the MSBA Access to Justice Committee and in collaboration with the American Bar Association. 

This national initiative honors the work of Minnesota lawyers who dedicate time to pro bono. Learn new skills. Discover opportunities. Make a difference. And thank you for providing Pro Bono services during the year. 

Select from five CLE webcasts during the week. Or attend them all. 

Presentation:

Unlock the skills to advocate with impact, where racial truth meets legal action. Racial Impact Sensitivity Education (RISE) training empowers volunteer attorneys to confront Minnesota’s deep racial disparities, grasp the weight of racial trauma and sharpen their advocacy for pro bono clients through practical, equity-driven resources.

RISE training is a premier professional development experience designed to transform how legal professionals understand and practice law through the lenses of trauma, racial equity and systemic justice. Developed by Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP) in partnership with Minnesota’s Corporate Pro Bono Council, RISE bridges the gap between traditional legal advocacy and trauma-informed, racially equitable practice.

RISE was born from a recognition that trauma and racism are inseparable from the practice of law. Whether representing clients navigating eviction, incarceration, immigration, or civil litigation, lawyers routinely encounter the lasting effects of structural violence and inequity. Yet, few have been trained to identify and respond to those impacts in ways that build trust, promote dignity and support resilience. RISE addresses this critical gap.

Featured Presenters:

Miriam Itzkowitz, MSW, LICSW, Senior Specialist of Interdisciplinary Practice & Student Well-Being | Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Judge Nicole Starr, District Court Judge | Second Judicial District (Ramsey County)

Moderator and Introductions:

Danielle Matthias, Program Manager | Twin Cities Diversity in Practice

Summra Shariff, Executive Director | Twin Cities Diversity in Practice

CLE Credits
1.0 Elimination of Bias CLE Credit Approved | Event Code: 538529

Registration Deadline
October 23, 2025. To register after that time, email the program manager.

Additional Pro Bono Week CLE Series Dates: 

• Pro Bono Week | Empowering Justice: The Imperative Need for Pro Bono
• Pro Bono Week | Legal Tools in Action: Power of Attorney and Parental Delegation in Pro Bono Practice
• Pro Bono Week | Stepping into Housing Court: A Practical Guide for Volunteer Attorneys
• Pro Bono Week | ID Document Corrections in Minnesota

Remote instructions will be emailed to you the day prior to the event.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all members can participate fully. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please notify the program manager with at least 72 hours notice prior to the meeting to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for accommodations.