This session offers an immersive courtroom simulation designed to equip social workers with the skills needed to provide effective testimony. Participants will engage in role-playing exercises, receive expert guidance on courtroom procedures, and learn strategies for clear, concise, and impactful communication. This hands-on experience aims to demystify the courtroom process and empower social workers to advocate effectively for their clients.
SPEAKERS
Karen Hallstrom
Kären A. Hallstrom, retired after 22 years as the Deputy Judicial Administrator for Children & Families at the Louisiana Supreme Court, is currently a contract consultant and trainer. Kären has worked in the Louisiana juvenile system for over 35 years at both local and state levels. For many years she taught Child Advocacy as an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School and provided training and technical assistance to numerous juvenile justice and child welfare stakeholder groups. Ms. Hallstrom co-chaired the LSBA Children’s Law Committee and was the Reporter for the Children’s Code Committee of the Louisiana Law Institute for many years. She serves on the board of the Pelican Center for Children & Families. Karen received her JD/MSW from Tulane University.
Jennifer Womble
Judge Jennifer Guillot Womble was elected in 2023 to Section A of the Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court. Previously Judge Womble was a public defender representing children and indigent parents in thousands of cases in Jefferson Parish and the surrounding parishes in Southeast Louisiana and had a private practice for over 20 years. Judge Womble earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Newcomb College of Tulane University and her Juris Doctorate from Tulane Law School in 1997, where she was selected to be a member of the Juvenile Law Clinic.
Judge Womble was certified as a National Association of Counsel for Children – National Child Welfare Specialist and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Judge Womble has been a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association Children’s Law Committee. Judge Womble is the recipient of the Louisiana Public Defender Blackstone Award and the 2022 Crimefighters Crime Prevention Advocate of the Year Award. Jennifer is married to John Womble, who is a practicing attorney in Jefferson Parish. Judge Womble is proud to be a life-long resident of Metairie.
