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Strategic Advocacy Across Courts, Agencies, and the Legislature: 4 Part CLE Series

  • jmobley39
  • Feb 17
  • 4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

This CLE Series provides a strategic framework to identify the nexus of administrative, legislative, and litigation advocacy to effectuate desired outcomes in legal matters. This four-segment series utilizes a case study (with designated fact patterns, case law, statutes, and rules) to analyze distinctions between the law, legislative intent, practical application of the law, and strategic methodologies to effectuate change. Guest judges and other co-presenters provide additional insight and comprehensive strategies. Each segment is presented as a one-hour lunch-and-learn.


Across the series, participants will examine ethical and professionalism considerations inherent in strategic advocacy, including the lawyer’s duty to the client, duty to the justice system, and duty to the public. The series emphasizes adversarial collaboration, reflective professional judgment, and the lawyer’s role as an officer of the court when engaging in impact advocacy and systemic reform. Attendees will actively engage through chat, polling, and guided reflection exercises designed to prompt introspection about advocacy choices, professional conduct, and how those choices affect public trust in the legal system.


For those who complete the full series (live or via recording), the total CLE credits available are:

  • 4.0 General CLE Credits

  • 4.0 State & Federal Government and Administrative Practice Certification Credits

  • 2.0 Ethics Credits

  • 2.0 Professionalism Credits

  • 1.0 Appellate Practice Certification Credit


Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services Statewide Training Initiative, the Administrative Law Section of the Florida Bar,  and  the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!


Video Links: 

Segment I: Nexus of Admin, Legislative & Lit Advocacy: https://youtu.be/0ST6y33R3Os

Segment II: Purpose and Utility of Test Cases: https://youtu.be/w25keghvdgA 

Segment III – Law vs. Legislative Intent: https://youtu.be/a3KPgb_fGcA 

Segment IV – Strategies for Change: https://youtu.be/1KTQ2oGTHUU 

*Scroll below for detailed info on each segment


Segment I: Nexus of Administrative, Legislative, and Litigation Advocacy

Date: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

This first segment provides a strategic framework to use a combination of administrative, legislative, and litigation advocacy to effectuate desired outcomes. The presentation utilizes a case study to provide context for issue analysis of designated case law, statutes, and rules; analyzes distinctions between the law, legislative intent, and practical application of the law; and applies strategic methodologies to effectuate change. This segment also explores ethical considerations in strategic advocacy, including conflicts between the lawyer’s duty to the client, duty to the justice system, and duty to the public. Through interactive polling and chat-based discussion, attendees will reflect on professional judgment, adversarial collaboration, and how advocacy decisions can promote integrity, professionalism, and public confidence in the legal system.

Speakers: Viletta Coombs, Robert Jurand, Dr. Amy Wetherby

CLE: This segment was approved by the Florida Bar for 1.0 General CLE Credit, 1.0 State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice Certification Credit, .5 Professionalism Credit & .5 Ethics Credit! 

The CLE Code is   2600938N (Approval Period: 03/03/2026 - 09/30/2027)


Segment II: Purpose and Utility of Test Cases

Date: Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

The second segment explores the purpose and utility of test cases; demonstrates how to identify and create test cases; utilizes the case study to clarify, interpret, and challenge existing law; and analyzes conflicting case law between the Florida District Courts of Appeal (DCAs) in the context of appealing a decision of the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission (RAAC).

Speakers: Viletta Coombs and Judge Anthony Miller

CLE: This training was approved by the Florida Bar for 1.0 General Credit, 1.0 Appellate Practice Certification Credit, 1.0 State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice Certification Credit, .5 Professionalism Credit & .5 Ethics Credit!

CLE Code is  2600948N (Approval Period: 03/10/2026 - 09/30/2027)


Segment III: Distinctions Between the Law, Legislative Intent, and Application of Law

Date: Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

The third segment explores the difference between legislative intent and the application of the law in the context of the case study and appeals; analyzes how to identify statutory language that is outdated or does not reflect current practices; and discusses how to identify and address unpromulgated rules as a basis to change the law.

Speakers: Viletta Coombs and Bradley Butler Jr. 

CLE: 1.0 General | 1.0 State & Federal Gov/Admin | 0.5 Ethics | 0.5 Professionalism

CLE Code is  2600950N (Approval Period: 03/17/2026- 09/30/2027) 


Segment IV: Comprehensive Strategies to Effectuate Change

Date: Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

The fourth segment discusses the difference between direct client representation and impact work in the context of the RAAC Appeal; the value of adversarial collaboration to amend statutes, rules, and regulations; identifies methodologies and strategies to obtain evidence of noncompliance to change policy, practices, and procedures; and analyzes how discrete issues can have a huge impact in the context of the case study.

Speakers: Viletta Coombs and Don Winstead 

CLE: This training was approved by the Florida Bar for 1.0 General CLE Credit, 1.0 State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice Certification Credit, .5 Professionalism Credit & .5 Ethics Credit!

The CLE Code is  2600951N (Approval Period: 03/30/2026 - 09/30/2027)


Bookmark websites and follow on Social Media!

Administrative Law Section of the Florida Bar


Public Interest Law Section of the Florida Bar


Florida Legal Services: 



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