Human services leaders and workforce development professionals are asked to solve some of society’s most complex challenges while building trust across political, organizational, and community divides. Whether collaborating with legislators, partner agencies, frontline staff, or the individuals and families they serve, productive communication has never been more important. Join Tami Pyfer, Chief Impact Officer at Dignity.Us and co-creator of the Dignity Index, as she introduces a simple yet powerful framework for recognizing the difference between dignity and contempt in moments of disagreement. Learn how the Dignity Index can strengthen leadership, improve collaboration, support workforce development, and foster the productive conversations needed to better serve individuals, families, and communities.

Abuse and systemic misconduct rarely occur in isolation. Instead, they develop within legal, institutional, and cultural ecosystems shaped by decisions, omissions, and norms established by those in positions of authority. While perpetrators commit the underlying acts, bystanders and enablers—through inaction or misuse of authority—often create the conditions that allow unlawful and unethical conduct to persist.

During this session, we will examine the legal frameworks governing bystander and enabler liability, including criminal accountability, prosecutorial discretion, and the evolving standards applied to individuals and institutions.  Drawing on real world examples and experience, Professor Guiora will speak to the threat that unchecked bystander conduct has upon civil society, and  explore when omissions and failures to act may give rise to criminal responsibility, how courts assess causation and duty, and the broader implications for compliance, governance, and risk management.

In addition, we will consider the challenges posed by instances where bystanders try to respond but are met with further authoritarian response.

Throughout, this presentation will consider the ethical and professional obligations of lawyers advising individuals and organizations, serving in leadership roles, or acting as gatekeepers of a civil society. The program challenges attorneys to assess how law can—and should—be used to disrupt cycles of abuse, protect victims, and impose accountability before harm escalates.

As a former General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Professor Bagenstos will discuss the role of government attorneys in advising public agencies, navigating leadership transitions, and helping leaders make decisions that are lawful, defensible, and practical. The session will focus on best practices for preserving independent legal judgment and understanding the line between legal advice, policy support, and advocacy.