The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence is proud to present “Intimate Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury & Legal Justice,” a two-part panel series designed to equip attorneys with the knowledge and tools needed to better support domestic violence survivors affected by brain injury.
Brain injury affects many domestic violence survivors, yet attorneys may not recognize the signs or understand how these injuries impact their clients’ legal needs. Without this knowledge, critical opportunities for advocacy, in the context of both litigation and client counseling, may be missed. Attorneys who understand the prevalence of brain injury, its legal implications, and the resources available to survivors will be better-positioned to secure just outcomes and promote long-term safety and stability for their clients. These panels aim to improve both legal and life outcomes for thousands of survivors.
Panel I: Understanding & Supporting Survivors of Intimate Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury
Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Register Here
The first panel will explore the phenomenon of partner-inflicted brain injury (BI), examining its prevalence, diagnosis, and long-term impacts. Panelists will discuss resources available to BI-affected survivors that support healing, stability, and quality of life. This panel will explore strategies for communicating with clients whose brain injuries affect their ability to convey or process information, as well as the ethical responsibilities associated with representing clients experiencing cognitive impairment resulting from brain injury.
Panelists:
- Eve Valera, PhD - Dr. Valera is an associate professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a research scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has worked in the domestic violence field for over 25 years and uses a range of methodologies to understand the neural, cognitive, and psychological consequences of brain injuries from intimate partner violence. She has been featured in news outlets such as NYT Magazine and Forbes. She was an inaugural recipient of the Women Making History Award from Safe Living Spaces and has also been the recipient of the prestigious Robert D. Voogt Founders Award, Rappaport Research Fellowship in Neurology, PINK Concussions Domestic Violence Award, and the Anne Klibanski Visiting Scholars Award. She is passionate about raising awareness and educating all relevant stakeholders about this tremendously overlooked public health problem.
- Hildegard Koenig - Hildegard Koenig is an advocate, survivor, and leader dedicated to human rights and social justice. A survivor of domestic violence and sexual abuse, she also lives with a disability acquired through crime, which fuels her passion for amplifying silenced voices. She has held impactful roles in victim advocacy and currently serves as the VOCA & Courts Language Access Program Manager at the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence. Hildegard is also the co-founder and president of the Ink Against Cancer Foundation, supporting Cancer Warriors and their families. Her story is one of resilience, strength, and unwavering dedication to justice and hope.
- Melissa Keyes, JD, MS - Melissa Keyes is the Executive Director for Indiana Disability Rights, the state’s protection and advocacy agency that provides legal services to individuals with disabilities. Melissa earned her law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. Before becoming an attorney, Melissa worked at Riley Hospital for Children as a Research Specialist, at which time she earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Melissa is a fierce advocate for self-determination, advocating at the state and federal level for mental health awareness and guardianship code modernization. Melissa represented Jamie Beck, the first person in Indiana to have her guardianship terminated in favor of Supported Decision-Making, and regularly speaks on the subject both locally and nationally.
- Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RASS - Rachel Ramirez is the Director of Health and Disability Programs and the Founder of The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury at The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). Her focus is on supporting professionals and systems to better understand traumatic stress and the impact of brain injury, which translates into more effective services. She provides extensive statewide, national, and international training, technical assistance, consultation, and program support. Rachel has co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and has been featured by National Public Radio, NBC News, The New York Times Magazine and The Washington Post. Rachel is a licensed independent social worker and a registered advocate with senior standing and has been with ODVN for 18 years.
Cost of attendance: $0 for ABA Members; $75 for non-Members
CLE Information: The ABA will seek 2.00 General CLE credit hours in 60-minute states, and 2.40 General CLE credit hours in 50-minute states. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.