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| TRAINING
PROGRAMS |
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| Welcome
to our training page. The programs described below are Training Branch events
designed for appointed counsel, and other professionals who assist appointed
counsel, in federal criminal cases. Registration for each of these programs
is free. The page is divided into programs for panel attorneys, programs
for federal defender staff (which are coordinated through the Federal Judicial
Center), and programs for both panel attorneys and federal defender staff.
In addition, at the bottom of the page we have included links to training
events offered by Federal Defender or Community Defender organizations,
and organizations such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. |
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Panel
Attorney Programs
Combined Federal Defender Staff and Private CJA Practitioners
Programs
Federal Defender Programs
Death
Penalty & Habeas Programs
Training Programs Offered by Other Organizations
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| PANEL
ATTORNEY PROGRAMS |
| WINNING STRATEGIES SEMINAR |
| SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4-6, 2010 |
| Contact: Karen_W_Holsendorff@ao.uscourts.gov |
| REGISTER HERE |
| Draft Agenda |
Drawing its faculty from the ranks of federal judges, defenders, and practitioners, Winning Strategies presents legal techniques for use in securing pretrial, trial, sentencing and appellate relief in a variety of cases. The seminar will use plenary and break-out instructional sessions to present “nuts and bolts” defenses to firearms, drugs, child pornography, and immigration prosecutions – as well as to present defenses to more novel prosecutions such as mortgage fraud, identity-theft, etc. Participants will receive analysis of the Supreme Court’s recent criminal law decisions and insights into that Court’s pending criminal cases. They will also hear forecasts from the Sentencing Resource Counsel’s representatives on proposed guideline amendments and will learn strategies to better advocate for – and achieve – just sentences.
Though designed to meet the needs of the experienced and less-experienced attorneys alike, Winning Strategies will provide a one-day “Fundamentals Track” on Day I for the those attendees who desire a more basic “building blocks” examination of federal criminal defense practice. Participants will then flow back into the larger seminar on subsequent days.
Please note that you must register separately for the Fundamentals Track.
For more information, see the Fundamentals of Federal Criminal Practice listing immediately below.
In addition to the February 4-6 Winning Strategies Seminar in San Francisco, we will offer this program again on June 10-12, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois. (Note: At this time, there are no plans to offer the Fundamentals Track in Chicago.) |
| FUNDAMENTALS OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL PRACTICE |
| SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4, 2010 |
| Contact: Karen_W_Holsendorff@ao.uscourts.gov |
| REGISTER HERE |
| Draft Agenda |
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The Fundamentals of Federal Criminal Practice presentation is a one day mini-seminar specifically designed for practitioners who are new to federal criminal defense practice. The program takes place concurrently with the Winning Strategies Seminar (see above). It is an opportunity for new CJA panel attorneys and those seeking to join the panel to receive instruction in the areas most vital to providing an effective defense for their clients. Topics covered include plea negotiations and proffers, bail reform, dealing with BOP issues and client interviews. In addition, there will be sessions on specific Rules of Federal Criminal Procedure and an introductory session on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. |
| SENTENCING ADVOCACY WORKSHOP |
| NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 18-20, 2010 |
| Contact: Karen_W_Holsendorff@ao.uscourts.gov |
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The Sentencing Advocacy Workshop focuses on an often neglected, yet extremely important, area of practice. Since approximately 95% of federal criminal cases proceed to the sentencing phase, participation in the Sentencing Advocacy Workshop should not be missed. The program presents a comprehensive approach to sentencing advocacy. Participants will learn a process for the development of a persuasive, fact-based sentencing theory and the advocacy skills necessary to advance that theory in writing and during sentencing hearings. Among other subjects, presentations and demonstrations will address changes in federal sentencing law, judging at sentencing, use of a mitigation specialist, storytelling and persuasive writing. The workshop consists of plenary sessions and small group breakout sessions. In the small group breakout sessions, participants will use a case of their own to brainstorm facts, develop a theory and theme, tell a story, and persuasively write a portion of their downward departure motion or sentencing memo.
Enrollment for this program is limited to 64 panel attorneys certified to accept Criminal Justice Act appointments in federal court. Enrollment is further limited to CJA attorneys who have not participated in this workshop since 2006. Registration for this program will open soon. Early registration is encouraged.
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| LAW AND TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP |
| MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 22-24, 2010 |
| Contact: Karen_W_Holsendorff@ao.uscourts.gov |
The Law and Technology Workshop focuses on the use of modern technology to improve the persuasiveness of courtroom presentations. This workshop is an intensive program where participants will learn to use Trial Director and PowerPoint products to sharpen their courtroom skills. Attendees will enhance their direct-examination, cross-examination, and opening/closing argument abilities with detailed application and use of these litigation tools. Today, many federal courtrooms are “wired” to accommodate the latest computer programs, and this technology has proven to be an effective and persuasive addition to lawyers’ arsenals. Participation in the Law and Technology Workshop is particularly valuable for federal criminal defense attorneys.
In order to participate in this program, participants are required to provide their own laptop computers. General presentations and demonstrations are supplemented by concentrated small group workshops. In the smaller breakout groups, attendees receive hands-on guidance to apply the information presented in the plenary sessions using facts from a mock case file. Each participant will practice direct and cross-examination, and opening/closing arguments, using Trial Director and PowerPoint software.
Registration for this program will open shortly. Please check this page in the coming weeks for further information.
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| COMBINED
FEDERAL DEFENDER STAFF AND PRIVATE CJA PRACTITIONERS PROGRAMS |
| TRIAL SKILLS ACADEMY |
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 25-30, 2010 |
| Contact: Bob_Burke@ao.uscourts.gov |
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The inaugural skills-based Academy was a tremendous success. This program focuses on (1) the use of a trial advocacy process to facilitate development of a persuasive, fact-based theory and supporting themes, and (2) the advocacy skills necessary to persuasively advance that theory and those themes. The program is conducted by very experienced and skilled faculty as a series of plenary sessions and workshops. The elements of effective litigation advocacy skills are presented in the plenaries and participants then engage in hands-on practice of those skills and receive feedback in small group workshops. Participation is limited to 50 attendees.
Information regarding registration for this program will be posted on this page in December.
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| SPECIALTY PROGRAM |
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MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 12-14, 2010 |
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Please check this page in the coming months for more information on this program.
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| FEDERAL
DEFENDER PROGRAMS |
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ORIENTATION SEMINAR FOR ASSISTANT FEDERAL DEFENDERS |
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO - NOVEMBER 16-20, 2009 |
For more information regarding this program, including registration materials, contact Chuck Arberg at the Federal Judicial Center at (202) 502-4050 or e-mail him at carberg@fjc.gov |
| This seminar for new assistant federal defenders includes a mix of topics on substantive federal criminal law, sentencing issues, trial tactics, evidence, and computer technology. Most topics are presented in plenary lectures while some are offered in breakout sessions. |
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SEMINAR FOR FEDERAL DEFENDER INVESTIGATORS AND PARALEGALS |
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 7-9, 2010 |
For more information regarding this program, including registration materials, contact Chuck Arberg at the Federal Judicial Center at (202) 502-4050 or e-mail him at carberg@fjc.gov |
| This seminar is held annually in conjunction with the National Defender Investigator Association (NDIA) for Federal Defender investigator and paralegal employees. The NDIA programming includes a “federal breakout track” to provide a variety of topics of interest to those working on federal criminal cases. Topics covered include forensic science, selected issues of federal substantive and sentencing law, crime scene investigation, interviewing techniques, and report writing.
Please note that you must register separately for the NDIA portion of this conference, at ndia.net.
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NATIONAL SEMINER FOR FEDERAL DEFENDERS (aka, "ADVANCED FEDERAL DEFENDER SEMINAR") |
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 2-4, 2010 |
For more information regarding this program, including registration materials, contact Chuck Arberg at the Federal Judicial Center at (202) 502-4050 or e-mail him at carberg@fjc.gov |
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This seminar is held annually and is designed for assistant federal defenders who have been practicing criminal law a minimum of three years. It includes a mix of topics on substantive federal criminal law, trial tactics, evidence, computer technology, ethics, and sentencing issues. The topics are presented in both plenary and breakout sessions.
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LAW AND TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP FOR FEDERAL DEFENDER STAFF |
DATES AND LOCATION TBA |
For more information regarding this program, including registration materials, contact Chuck Arberg at the Federal Judicial Center at (202) 502-4050 or e-mail him at carberg@fjc.gov |
| This workshop is designed for teams from federal defender offices and participants include attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and computer systems administrators. It aims to give the participating teams knowledge of the computer-based technology that is available to make a powerful trial presentation. The program also seeks to develop, from the outset of a case, a cohesive working relationship between attorneys, CSAs, investigators, and paralegals.
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SENTENCING WORKSHOP FOR FEDERAL DEFENDERS |
DATES AND LOCATION TBA |
For more information regarding this program, including registration materials, contact Chuck Arberg at the Federal Judicial Center at (202) 502-4050 or e-mail him at carberg@fjc.gov |
| This annual national workshop brings together attorneys from offices across the country who have agreed to act as resources within their own districts. Strategies for success in advocating for just sentences for clients are the focus of discussions. There are a mix of plenary and small group sessions.
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| TRAINING
PROGRAMS OFFERED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS |
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Financial Assistance for Trial Skills Training
Association of Federal Defense Attorneys (AFDA)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
NACDL & Federal Bar Association: Federal Sentencing Guidelines Conference
National Criminal Defense College (NCDC)
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)
National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA)
Western Trial Advocacy Institute (WTAI)
National Defender Investigator Association (NDIA)
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| Office
of Defender Services/Training Branch, Administrative Office of the United
States Courts * One Columbus Circle, N.E. * Suite G-430 * Washington, DC
20544 Phone (202) 502-2900 * Hotline (800) 788-9908 * Fax (202) 502-2911 |
