Effective Advocacy with a Focus on Hard-to-Win Cases – Track II [Day 3] (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Sarah Thompson | Homeless Action Center (HAC)

Sarah Thompson, Esq. is a senior staff attorney at the Homeless Action Center (HAC) in Oakland, California where she represents disabled unhoused and low income folks in public benefits cases. At HAC, she is an original member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee which is devoted to interrogating bias and ensuring equitable outcomes for HAC’s diverse client population. Additionally, she has conducted trainings for law students and CASA volunteers on solidarity vs saviorism in the legal profession. Sarah went to law school at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. While there, she interned for State Senator Karen Spilka and for Patti B Saris, US district court judge for the district of Massachusetts. In addition to her legal work, she is the parent of a 12-year-old who attends San Francisco Unified School District. Prior to going to law school. Sarah was a Teach for America Corp member in Baltimore, Maryland.

Yasamin Elahi-Shiraz | Homeless Action Center (HAC)

Yasamin Elahi-Shirazi, Esq. is a Staff Attorney at HAC. She joined the organization in 2022. Yasamin was born in Tehran, Iran and immigrated to San Diego, CA. She received a B.A. in Politic Science from UC Riverside and graduated from Golden Gate University, School of Law in San Francisco with a specialization in Public Interest Law. Yasamin is a part of the National Lawyers Guild and likes to volunteer her services to local communities. In her free time, she enjoys engaging in civil advocacy by bringing awareness to injustices taking place locally and around the world by sharing ways we can all take part in helping our neighbors and fellow humans.

I. Overcoming challenges such as limited medical documentation and substance use | 5:00pm – 5:20pm

II. Strategies for effective advocacy using harm reduction and trauma-based approaches | 5:20pm – 5:40pm

III. Empowering attorneys through relationship building and cultural competency | 5:40pm – 6:00pm