You are here

P.O.W.E.R. Act CLE Event

Trauma-Informed Practices and Evidentiary Challenges in Domestic Violence Cases

Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Clemente Ruiz Nazario U.S. Courthouse
150 Carlos Chardon Ave.
San Juan, PR  00918

Speakers:

(Click on any speaker's name to view their bio)
  • Nelson D. Vélez-Colón, Esq. 
    Deputy Solicitor for Legal Affairs PRWAO
  • Fabiola Plaza-Rivera, Esq.
    Attorney, Legal Division, PRWAO
Materials:
Evaluation Form: Click here to submit your evaluation Form
Pro Bono Form: Click here to volunteer as Pro Bono attorney
Registration: Registration Deadline:  Friday, September 5, 2025
Cancellation: On or before Tuesday, September 16, 2025, send an e-mail to: prd-cle-registration@prd.uscourts.gov
Notice from the Clerk: Notice from the Clerk No. 25-08: P.O.W.E.R. Act Event:  Trauma Informed Practices & Evidentiary Challenges in Domestic Violence Cases

Women’s Advocate Office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (WAO), will host its annual Pro Bono Work to Empower and Represent Act (POWER Act)1 event on Friday, September 19, 2025, in Courtroom 2, at the Clemente Ruiz Nazario U.S. Courthouse, 150 Carlos Chardón Street, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

This event is part of a continuing series highlighting the increasing rates of gender violence in Puerto Rico, and how such violence or behavior harms vulnerable members of our society.

The 2025 POWER Act event will feature the following presentations:

  • Fabiola Plaza Rivera, Esq., Attorney, Legal Division, WAO
    “Trauma-Informed Legal Practices in Domestic Violence Cases”
    This session will provide practical guidance on integrating trauma-informed practices intolegal representation, with emphasis on minimizing re-traumatization and strengthening survivor-centered advocacy.
  • Nelson D. Vélez Colón, Esq., Deputy Solicitor of Legal Affairs, WAO
    Artificial Intelligence and the Challenges it Presents in Domestic Violence Cases”
    This presentation will focus on evidentiary challenges posed by artificial intelligence,including authentication, admissibility, expert testimony, privacy concerns andimplications for pro bono representation.

Attorneys interested in registering to attend the POWER Act event are advised that:

  • Event registration is on a first-come, first-served basis through the Court’s registration application link (sent via email).
  • Attorneys must be in good standing to register and commit to attending the entireevent (contact the Clerk’s Office Cashier at 787-772-3061 to verify your status).
  • Each attorney must make his or her own registration.
  • The registration deadline is Friday, September 5, 2025.
  • Cancellations must be notified by September 16, 2025, to the following e-mail address: prd-cle-registration@prd.uscourts.gov.
  • No telephone calls for registration will be accepted.
  • After the registration period has ended, the Office of the Clerk of Court will send theconfirmation notification by email to registered attorneys.:

After the reservation period has closed, a confirmation notice will be sent to enrolled attorneys to the email address registered in the CM/ECF system. Any cancellations must be notified by Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to  prd-cle-registration@prd.uscourts.gov.