The Pre-Conference Institute will be in-person on May 19 ,2025. If you intend to attend both the Pre-Conference Institute and the Crime Victim Law Conference, please make sure to purchase both tickets on the Registration Page. This in-person only training will be a focused session during which attendees learn about best practices and current challenges in victims’ rights enforcement for hate crime victims. This session is primarily for attorneys and will be law heavy. CLE credits will be applied for.

The Pre-Conference Institute is a separate ticket purchase from the Conference and is an in-person event only.

Here is a tentative agenda for May 19, 20, and 21.

Here are details about all of the speakers!

The 2025 Crime Victim Law Conference will be held at Hilton Portland Downtown.

To reserve a discounted room at the venue, Click Here!

Information about the total number of CLE credits available to Pre-Conference Institute and Conference attendees will continue to be updated as it becomes available.

• California.  NCVLI is a MCLE Multiple Activity Provider for the State Bar of California. The 2025 Pre-Conference Institute is approved for 3.5 California CLE credits and the 2025 Conference is approved for 11.25 CLE Credits. 
• Colorado.  NCVLI has applied to the Colorado Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel for CLE accreditation for the Pre-Conference Institute and Conference.  NCVLI has requested Colorado CLE 4.2 credits for the Pre-Conference Institute and 13.5 credits for the Conference.  The application is pending.
• Oregon.  NCVLI has applied to the Oregon State Bar for 3.5 CLE credits for the 2025 Pre-Conference Institute and 11.25 CLE credits for the 2025 Conference.  In the past, the Oregon State Bar has approved the Pre-Conference Institute for up to 3.25 CLE credits and the Conference for between 10-12 CLE credits.  
• Texas.  The Pre-Conference Institute and Conference have been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 18.75 credit hours, of which 0 credit hours will apply to legal ethics/professional responsibility credit. 
• Washington.  The Washington State Bar Association has approved the Pre-Conference Institute for up to 3.5 CLE credits, including up to 2.5 credits of Law and Legal Procedure and 1 credit of Other, and the 2025 Crime Victim Law Conference for up to 11.25 CLE credits, including up to 9.25 credits of Law and Legal Procedure and 9.5 credits of Other including up to 2.5 credits of Law and Legal Procedure and 1 credit of Other.

Attendees seeking CLE credit outside of California, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, and Washington will be provided with a certificate of attendance that notes the total number of hours of the Pre-Conference Institute and Conference and allows the conference attendees to self-certify the sessions they attended.  Attendees can then petition their state Bar Association for credit. NCVLI will not seek certification for other states.

Q: What is different about this Conference?

A: The Crime Victim Law Conference is the only national conference focusing on victim law, including enforcement of victims’ rights in criminal cases.  So while many trainings are about services and support for victims, this Conference looks at the law of victims’ rights in all systems (criminal, civil, military, administrative).  While many sessions are taught by lawyers, we integrate a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the impact of law, rights, and the justice system on victims.  We also ensure that while the focus is law, advocates and allied professionals benefit from many sessions as increased understanding of the law and its impact is good for everyone who works with victims.

Q: Who is the target audience? 

A: Our primary audience are attorneys who work with victims as they navigate justice systems (criminal, civil, military  administrative).  We also include sessions to aid advocates and allied professionals working with victims.

Q:  Is this Conference a look at victim’s rights at a national level? 

A: The Conference includes breakout sessions and plenaries that address national and (sometimes) international victims’/human rights issues and themes that present across jurisdictions.  The Conference also offers glimpses of state- and local-level work so that individuals from different jurisdictions can learn from each other’s practices. 

Q: In the overview it states the Conference includes a focus on rights enforcement in criminal cases. What does this mean? 

A: Most states have constitutional amendments and every jurisdiction has a statutory scheme that affords victims’ rights during the criminal investigation and prosecution of an accused.  These rights generally include the rights to be notified, present, and heard at certain times, to privacy and protection, and to seek restitution.  Often these rights are left to the prosecutor to assert on the victim’s behalf, which can mean that the rights are not advocated for as aggressively as a victim may hope, and at other times despite the prosecutor’s advocacy courts ignore the rights and no one seeks appellate relief.  “Victims’ rights enforcement” is that part of Victim Law that is about victims asserting and seeking enforcement of their rights independently in criminal courts and seeking appellate review when those rights are denied.

Q: What is included in the virtual Conference?

A: Plenaries and one breakout topic per session will be streamed and recorded. The recorded sessions will be available online for 90 days after the event for all attendees.

Q:  Is this an OVW-approved training?

A: OVW has indicated that they are no longer separately approving non-OVW sponsored events and that instead grantees should simply contact their OVW program specialist to seek approval to attend based on their specific award. Following approval from one’s program specialist, grantees will submit a Grant Adjustment Modification (GAM) before committing or expending any funds related to attending this conference.

Q:  Can I get a refund once I have purchased my tickets?

A:  Refunds can be processed until 30 days before Conference. Refunds will include all but $100 to capture staff processing time. No third-party fees will be refunded. Once we are less than 30 days away from Conference, we will no longer provide any refunds. For the days of May 20-21, you are welcome to request a switch from in-person to a virtual Conference ticket at no charge until May 19th.  Alternatively,  you may transfer your registration (for any part of the Conference) to another person for no fee if the request is submitted to ncvliconference@lclark.edu by Friday, May 2, 2025. We look forward to seeing you in Portland!

Q:  How many CLE credits are available through Conference?

A: We will continue to update this answer with the expected number of CLE credits as we get closer to Conference.  The 2025 Pre-Conference Institute and Conference are currently approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California, State Bar of Texas, and State Bar of Washington.  The Pre-Conference Institute is approved for 3.5 California MCLE credits and Conference is approved for 11.25 California MCLE Credits.  The Pre-Conference Institute and the Conference have been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 18.75 credit hours, of which 0 credit hours will apply to legal ethics/professional responsibility credit.  The Washington State Bar Association has approved the Pre-Conference Institute for up to 3.5 CLE credits, including up to 2.5 credits of Law and Legal Procedure and 1 credit of Other, and the 2025 Crime Victim Law Conference for up to 11.25 CLE credits, including up to 9.25 credits of Law and Legal Procedure and 9.5 credits of Other.  NCVLI has applied to the Oregon State Bar for 3.5 CLE credits for the 2025 Pre-Conference Institute and 11.25 CLE credits for the 2025 Conference.  It has also applied to the Colorado Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel for CLE 4.2 credits for the Pre-Conference Institute and 13.5 credits for the Conference.  The Oregon and Colorado applications are pending.

For Attorneys practicing in states other than California, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, please see the next FAQ.

Q:  Are my CLE credits earned at Conference applicable outside of Oregon?

A:  Attendees seeking CLE credit outside of California, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, and Washington will be provided with a certificate of attendance that notes the total number of hours of the Pre-Conference Institute and Conference and allows the conference attendees to self-certify the sessions they attended.  Attendees can then petition their state Bar Association for credit.

Q:  Are CEU credits available through Conference for Social Workers?

A:  NCVLI is not applying for CEU credits.

Q: Can my organization provide information to Conference attendees? If so, how?

A:  We would love to have your organization provide information.  For a modest fee, NCVLI will have an unstaffed Exhibit Hall to display literature such as brochures, pamphlets, and leaflets. Please contact ncvliconference@lclark.edu to learn more about exhibiting at the conference. 

Q:  Who is eligible for the Student Discount?

A:  To be eligible for the student discount individuals must be attending a university, college, law school, graduate school, community college, or vocational school as at least a half-time student.  High school or GED enrolled students over 18 are also eligible if they are enrolled full time. 

Q:  Are scholarships available for attendees?

A:   Professional development scholarships may be available through OVC-TTAC (https://www.ovcttac.gov/views/HowWeCanHelp/dspPDScholarship.cfm). 

Q:  Can I register for just one day of Conference?

A:  No, Conference registration is for both days. The Pre-Conference Institute is a half day and participants can choose to attend only the Pre-Conference Institute. 

Q:  I registered for Conference but am unable to attend the event, can I transfer my registration to someone else?

A:  Registrations may be transferred to another individual for no fee if the request is submitted by Friday, May 2, 2025 . Registration transfers will not be allowed after that date. Transfer requests can be emailed to ncvliconference@lclark.edu and need to include the original registration confirmation along with the name and contact information of the new person who is being registered. Partial registration transfers are not allowed.

Q: I am unable to attend Conference but would like Conference materials. How do I obtain the Conference materials if I am not an attendee?

A: All materials (e.g. PowerPoints, cases, pleadings) provided at Conference or made available to attendees on a Conference app will be available even if you cannot attend.  If you are a paid attendee but simply cannot attend you will still have access to the materials through this App. If you are not a paid attendee, we cannot provide you the materials.

Q:  Is transportation provided to the Conference?

A: The Conference is located within the recommended Conference hotel and is within walking distance of many nearby restaurants and shops.  Transportation from the airport to/from the Conference hotel is the responsibility of the attendee.  Public transportation options can be found using The TriMet Trip Planner or you can contact the hotel for particular guidance regarding your best airport transportation options.

Q: What is the Conference hotel?

A:  This year, the Conference venue is the Hilton Portland Downtown and is located at 921 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204. It is walking distance from bus stops, the MAX light rail, parks, and the Willamette River. The code to book rooms is: https://book.passkey.com/gt/220417344?gtid=eb33c63b7fa72c37bd12feb39be8e8b1

Q: What is the Conference App?

A: The Conference app this year is Whova. Within this app you can conveniently access the Conference agenda, communicate with Conference organizers and attendees, and pose questions to presenters. Many important announcements regarding the Conference will be communicated within this app so it is recommended that attendees download Whova. To download this app, click this link if you use iPhones or iPads.  Use this Link if you use Android phones and tablets. Alternatively, navigate to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for Whova. 

Q:  How much does it cost to attend the Conference?

A:  There are a few levels for Conference registration. Please see the registration form for details. If you have additional questions, please contact ncvliconference@lclark.edu

Q: If I register for the Conference do I get to attend the Pre-Conference Institute?

A: Conference registration and Pre-Conference registration are two different registrations.  You must register for each separately.  So you must specifically register for the Pre-Conference Institute to attend the Pre-Conference Institute. Registration to the Conference is only valid for May 20th-21st.  Registration for the Pre-Conference Institute is only valid for May 19th.

Q:  If I register for the Pre-Conference Institute do I get a discount on Conference?

A:  No, registration is unique for each event and does not create eligibility for a discount.  

Q: Do NAVRA members receive a discount?

A: Enhanced NAVRA members are eligible for a discount for both the in-person and the virtual Conference. Please contact ncvliconference@lclark.edu to receive the discount code. Enhanced NAVRA members also have access to tremendous resources including a searchable database of: sample pleadings (180+); legal memoranda (80+), amicus curiae briefs (150); significant discounts on NAVRA CLEs; and priority access to NCVLI’s Legal Team for technical assistance!. 

Q:  What is the attire for the Conference?

A:  Casual or business casual.  There will likely be military members in uniform.

Q: What is the difference between the Conference & the Pre-Conference Institute?

A:  The Pre-Conference Institute is a half day intensive educational event that is held the day prior to the full Conference. This year will examine hate and bias crimes and victims’ rights enforcement.  The Conference is a two day event with a variety of plenary and breakout sessions and will cover a variety of topics. 

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