MISSION STATEMENT
We provide members of the legal community with compelling, affordable, and accessible legal education.
OUR VALUES
- We meet attorneys and staff where they are, irrespective of the type of law or the size of the office. We offer live courses in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties at convenient venues and within the office.
- We boldly address culturally relevant topics, including issues in the news, regardless of their political nature. We offer instruction on new policies and procedures.
- We believe required education should not be cost-prohibitive, and that pro bono training to assist the community must be a top priority for all. We offer high-value education for low or no cost to meet these needs.
The Delaware Institute for Continuing Legal Education was created with you in mind! Our team has the experience and expertise to provide top quality education for our legal community. We are a full-service CLE provider offering a wide array of courses featuring dynamic speakers who are experts in their respective fields. Our courses are presented on-site at your office, or off-site at conveniently located event spaces.
Meet our Board
A collective of innovative minds and spirited individuals, whose broad experience enables the Delaware Institute to provide relevant course content in an ever-changing legal environment.
Caroleena Goldman
President
Former Assistant Executive Director and CLE Director of the Delaware State Bar Association. Caroleena balances creativity with thoughtful planning to help ensure the Delaware Institute provides premier CLEs while also advocating for Access to Justice.
Mark Vavala
Vice President for Education
Former Executive Director of the Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program and the Delaware State Bar Association. Mark’s wit and creativity will make every experience with the Delaware Institute exciting.
Tom Mraz
Vice President for Business Affairs
A current employee of the Corporation Services Company (CSC), and a former employee of Superior Court, Family Court and the Supreme Court of Delaware, Tom brings expertise in management and court issues.
Amalia Vavala
Director of Development
A seasoned development professional and graphic designer, Amalia drives support for the organization so your costs stay low. Her experience with nonprofits will help the Delaware Institute grow.
Joshua Brooks, Esq.
Board Member
An up and coming bankruptcy lawyer with the firm of Landis Rath & Cobb who has advised clients in mass tort bankruptcies, assisted with corporate and commercial litigation, and investigated potential claims against officers and directors.
Jacki Chacona, Esq.
Board Member
The Deputy Director of Delaware Volunteer Legal Services. She has worked in the legal services field for 27 years. She has assisted with coordinating and presenting at CLEs for DVLS for several years.
Jimmy Chong, Esq.
Board Member
Licensed to practice law in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey and focuses practice on personal injury, but handles a variety of practices. He is an elected supervisor in Lower Gwynedd Township, PA, and an active member and past chair of the Small Firms section of the Delaware Bar Association.
Bernard G. Conaway, Esq.
Board Member
A former Master in Superior Court handling civil cases including asbestos litigation, he now practices as a solo practioner specializing in ADR, commercial litigation, and other business transactions. Considered one of the best ADR practitioners in the state of Delaware.
Katherine Hewton, PMP
Board Member
Cybersecurity professional with a background in data analytics and OT project management for Level5Cyber, an Operational Technology Cybersecurity company with expertise in protecting infrastructure and national security.
Hon. Mary M. McDonough (Ret.)
Board Member
Retired Commissioner for the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware, Public service attorney for most of her life. Mary provides a depth of knowledge in planning our CLEs and an awareness of community needs.
Denise D. Nordheimer, Esq.
Board Member
A partner at Fox Rothschild that advises high-net-worth individuals and families on estate planning, trusts, and probate matters with compassion and discretion. She also assists with trust and estate disputes. Previously, she founded her own law firm, clerked in the Delaware Superior Court, and taught estate planning and business law at Wilmington University.
Joe Semet
Board Member
The Director for Parcels, Inc., a leader in the Delaware Community with decades of experience supporting the legal profession. He possesses significant experience in forensic discovery and data extraction as well as other ways to improve the practice of law.
Joseph R. Slights III, Esq.
Board Member
Former Vice-Chancellor for the Court of Chancery and former Judge of the Superior Court, Joe Slights is an experienced litigator and a partner with Wilson Sonsini. He is a respected mediator, arbitrator, and attorney.
