Region IV Fifth Annual Training Conference highlights "Maintaining Team Cohesiveness in the Face of Change"

By Lille A. Noel

Region IV Office of General Counsel (OGC) earlier this month kicked off its its Fifth Annual Training Conference with a focus on "Maintaining Team Cohesiveness in the Face of Change". Due to the pandemic, this year's event occurred virtually, but by all accounts it was a welcome opportunity for the team to come together and to learn from one another.

Attendees were greeted with welcoming and opening remarks from Gayle Bohling, OGC Deputy General Counsel for Operations, Denise Cleveland Leggett, Regional Administrator, Region IV, and Antonette Lettman-Sewell, Regional Counsel.

"Region IV OGC training conference was demonstrative of the competence and comradery shared by the attorneys and paralegals. Each presentation was important in refining the delivery of legal services to our clients here at HUD, as well as our external partners," said Lettman-Sewell. "Region IV OGC staff remain committed to the highest professional standards to support the agency's mission."

"The training was very informative. As a new employee, the timing was perfect because it gave me an introduction to many of HUD's programs," related one Region IV attorney.

The annual training event was highlighted by a initial team-building seminar entitled, "Maintaining Team Cohesiveness in the Face of Change," led by Betty Parker of Sharper Development Solutions, Inc.

Presenters from across the region provided training and updates on a wide range of topics including: COVID-19 and its Impacts on HUD Programs, 232 LEAN Coordinator Updates, Records Retention, Electronic Filing Systems Best Practices, Litigation Risks and Programs Services Intersections, the HUD Departmental Correspondence Handbook, Disaster Recovery and Section 8(bb) Transfers, a Single Family Litigation Practicum, OGC's Role in Subpoena Counseling, Reading Regulations and Statutes, Microsoft Teams Training and the New Document Management System.

Presentations were also made by OGC's partners and clients, including FHEO, PIH, DEC, NSC, REO, and the Departmental Debt Collection Center, who all provided an overview of their daily operations, and insights on ways they can best collaborate with and be served by OGC.

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