OUR THEME
A Kaleidoscope of Transformative Justice
Wednesday, September 25 - Friday, September 27
Open Call for Contributors
The Social Work and Law Symposium exists to harness energy, passion, and wisdom to advance the field of forensic social work and the capacity of forensic social work practitioners. This is a future forward event bringing together educators, researchers, community practitioners, justice-oriented leaders, and students for synergistic learning collaborations. We are seeking dynamic contributors to use our virtual spaces to engage audiences in thought-provoking presentations, workshops, interactive discussions, inspirational talks, and exhibits. Click the button below to submit your proposal for this year's event TODAY!
The Speakers
Keynote
@SankofaRose
Angela Olivia Burton, Esq.
Community Lawyer & Scholar
Angela has over 30 years of dedicated service to the public. Throughout her extensive career, she has tirelessly advocated for the protection of human, constitutional, and civil rights of parents and children entangled in the family policing and regulation system, referred to variously as the child protective services (“CPS”), child welfare, or foster care system.
Angela's commitment to social justice is rooted in her deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable families. She has consistently championed the rights of those who are often marginalized and excluded from decision-making, ensuring that their legal and human rights are upheld. Her public service includes roles in various governmental and non-governmental organizations where she has designed and implemented policies and programs to protect the rights of children, parents, and families and support their well-being. Her work spans various facets of law and public policy, with a particular focus on challenging injustices inflicted on Black families by the family policing and regulation system.
Angela’s expertise is widely recognized, and she is often sought out for her deep knowledge and innovative approaches to family law and child welfare issues. With a career marked by unwavering dedication and impactful advocacy, Angela Burton’s legacy is one of empowerment, liberation, and relentless pursuit of justice for all.
Special Session
Christopher Ochoa
Attorney
Christopher Ochoa is a remarkable individual who has overcome tremendous challenges and emerged as a beacon of justice and resilience. Wrongfully convicted in 1989 in Austin, Texas, after being coerced into a false confession, he pleaded guilty to a murder he did not commit, and was sentenced to life. Mr. Ochoa spent years behind bars before being exonerated in 2001.
Driven by his own harrowing experience with the justice system, Christopher Ochoa pursued a law degree at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 2006. He dedicated the early years of his legal career to advocating for justice as a criminal defense attorney from 2006 to 2011, passionately defending the rights of the marginalized and wrongfully accused.
Currently, Christopher Ochoa serves as the Director of Legal Affairs for a prominent New Mexico oil company, where he brings his legal expertise and commitment to ethical practices to the corporate world. In addition to his role in the corporate sector, Mr. Ochoa remains connected to his passion for justice as a consultant with the Illinois Innocence Project, lending his insights and experience to the pursuit of exoneration and reform within the criminal justice system.
Christopher Ochoa's journey from wrongful conviction to legal advocate and corporate leader is a testament to his unwavering determination, resilience, and commitment to promoting justice and integrity in all aspects of his life and work.
The Trainers
DR. ALLAN BARSKY
CECILIA POWERS, LCSW-S
BRADLEY S. CRAIG, LMSW-IPR
