Disabilities in the Courtroom: A Primer for Litigators

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026

"DISABILITIES IN THE COURTROOM:
A PRIMER FOR LITIGATORS"

HON. SUEANNA JOHNSON
Judge, Colorado Court of Appeals

HON. JAMIN ALABISO
Magistrate Judge, 1st Judicial District Court

ALISON L. BUTLER, Esq.
Senior Disability Policy Advisor
State of Colorado's Disability Opportunity Office

SPENCER KONTNIK, Esq.
Partner, Kontnik Cohen

ELLEN BLATT, Esq., M.D.
Moderator

  12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

WEBINAR ONLY

• 1.5 EDI / 2 General CLE Credits requested.

  
  
  This presentation will address disabilities in the courtroom, and how they impact litigation. Specifically, the attendees will learn the following: 
  
  * Disability factsheet: the prevalence of disabilities in the courtroom--what you need to know and what that means as an officer of the court and an advocate;
  
  
  * Courtroom accommodations under the ADA and beyond--what is a reasonable accommodation;
  
  
  * What the ADA does not require, but what litigators are empowered to do to ensure equal access to justice for persons with disabilities in the courtroom;
  
  
  * How litigators with disabilities overcome courtroom obstacles and biases, and why this is important--personal narratives; and
  
  
  * Case updates: what you need to know about recent and ongoing disabilities rights litigation affecting attorneys.
  
  
  * Q & A: attendees will have the opportunity to ask the panel questions for the purpose of improving their advocacy for clients with disabilities and decreasing courtroom bias against persons with disabilities.

• 
  1.5 EDI / 2 General CLE Credits requested.