News Archive

The annual Cohen and Malad, LLP Symposium took place at IU McKinney on November 2. Medical professionals, public officials, and legal experts gathered to discuss the topic "The Opioid Scourge: Social Justice in Helping Victims, Families, and Communities."

IU McKinney dual-degree student Emily Beukema, in the photo at left, is the Cohen & Malad Fellow for 2018, who played an extensive role in organizing the symposium. She is a Master of Public Health student at the Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, and has been involved in Indiana University's Addictions Crisis Grand Challenges Project since work began in Spring 2018.

"I really enjoyed seeing all the support from the medical and legal community at the event," Beukema said. "It made me hopeful there is a common goal to work together and fix the substance abuse crisis. I think it was really important for people to see and understand a public health approach is what will fix this crisis. Ultimately, this will provide infrastructure for healthier populations."

Cohen & Malad established the fellowship in 2013. The Fellow works on cases involving clients with consumer law matters through the law school's pro bono partner organizations or through the law school's clinical programs. The Fellow also serves an integral role in planning and implementing the annual symposium.

"Substance dependency and addiction are epidemics across the country and it is important for legal and health professionals, and the public to understand that there are critical medical issue," said by Jennifer Thuma, Associate Director of Professional Development and Pro Bono. She coordinated the program. "We were pleased to further public education on this important topic."

Dr. Andrew Chambers of IU Health began the program with a talk titled "Addiction: A Disease and Health Issue." He was followed by Jeff Gibson and Jonathon Knoll of Cohen & Malad. They discussed "Social Justice for Victims of Opioid Dependency." Judge Jose Salinas, '97, talked about "Problem Solving Drug Courts," followed by Indiana Senator Jim Merritt, who provided a "State and National Legislative Update." This was followed by a panel discussion with Senator Merritt and Justin Phillips, Executive Director of Overdose Lifeline. Their discussion was moderated by Thuma. The program concluded with a presentation on IU Grand Challenges Initiatives by Professor Aila Hoss.