2026 ConnCASE Legal Conference

Peter Maher, co-chair of Shipman's Labor, Employment and Education Department and a Partner in the School Law Practice Group will present as part of a panel on state legal issues affecting special education at the annual ConnCASE Legal Conference. The conference is a "two-day journey of knowledge and networking at this premier legal conference featuring industry experts and insightful discussions at both the state and federal levels."

ConnCASE is a Connecticut-based association with over 300 members dedicated to improving the quality of special education in Connecticut.

Agenda:

Thursday, March 5, 2026

8:00am    Breakfast & Registration with Vendors & Sponsors

9:00am    Welcome & Introductions/ SDE Updates

9:30am      Session #1 Collaborating with Caregivers to Address      School Refusal Behavior

Speakers: Tom Brant, MA CAS, Eric Elias, MS Ed, ABSNP and Courtney E. Huguenin, MS, NCSP

This session focuses on actionable strategies for supporting caregivers of students with school refusal behavior, including communication systems, routine development, crisis planning, and culturally responsive engagement

11:00am  BREAK with Vendors & Sponsors

11:15am      Session #3 Panel on Disruptive Prevention: Collaboration/Communication

Moderator: Yvette Goorevitch, ConnCASE Executive Director

Panelists:  Jennifer Lussier, Partnership Programs Manager at CPAC; Josh Martin, Director of Student Support Services at East Granby Public Schools; Ann Paul, CT State Mediator at CSDE and Jennifer Hoffman, Assistant Superintendent at Hartford Public Schools.

12:30pm     LUNCH

1:30pm      Attorney Panel Discussion: State Legal Issues

Moderator: Katharine Gabrielson, Director of Student Services at Winchester Public Schools

Panelists:  Attorney Christine Chinni at Chinni & Associates; Attorney Michelle Laubin at Berchem Moses PC and Peter Maher at Shipman & Goodwin LLP

3:00pm    Networking Reception

Celebration IDEA/Networking Reception with our Vendors - PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN OUT (all attendees will be given a ticket at registration - must be present to win)

Friday, March 6, 2026

8:00am Breakfast

9:00am Welcome & Introductions                          

9:15am Keynote Presentation: Attorney Deanna Arivett:     The Year's Top Special Education Cases

10:15am BREAK with Vendors & Sponsors

10:30am Keynote: The Year's Top Special Education Cases

12:00pm Lunch with our Vendors

1:00pm    Keynote: Strategies for Managing Parental Threats, Demands, & Disruptions without Violating Parental Participation Rights

1:50pm        Break/Visit with Vendors

2:00pm      Keynote: From Identification to Plan: Educating Students with Mental Health Needs

3:00pm     Adjourn

For more information or to register, visit the ConnCASE website.