Please be advised that registration for all Training Division Events is limited to persons who provide services pursuant to the Federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA). For more information please read our Training Events Registration Disclaimer.
If you have any questions about registering, please emailus.
23 - 25
Trial Skills Workshop I: Advocacy Strategies & Skills to Maximize Use of Experts
This is an excellent opportunity for attorneys to learn about the value of experts to (a) help them understand complex areas that impact representation of clients and (b) to develop their courtroom skills, when presenting expert testimony in their cases and cross-examining government experts. Participants will learn from an experienced and highly skilled faculty in both plenary and small-group sessions. During the small-group sessions, participants will practice skills and receive feedback. Areas covered include: (1) identifying and screening experts to support the theory of the case, with practice sessions on screening, interviewing, records collection and qualifying the experts to testify, (2) using the Federal Rules of Evidence to make sure that experts are qualified and the reports and documents that further the defense theory are admitted into the record, (3) cross-examining the government’s expert witness and (4) preparing and examining the defense witness.
24
Webinar: Admissibility of Electronic and Digital Evidence (REPEAT)
We live in an increasingly digital world. Computers, smart phones, social media communications, cell tower location information, and now—on the horizon if not yet actually being presented during trials—artificial intelligence applications. It is unusual to see a criminal trial where electronic evidence is not introduced. Counsel need to be familiar with the rules of evidence that govern admissibility of this type of evidence. This presentation will focus on these rules, from the role of the trial judge as the evidentiary gatekeeper, to relevance, authentication, hearsay, the original writing rule, and concerns about excessive prejudice. Included will be a discussion of recently enacted Fed. R. Evid. 902(13) and (14) that deal with self authentication of certified records generated by an electronic system or process, and certified data copied from an electronic device, storage medium or file.
This webinar will be presented by the Honorable Judge Paul W. Grimm, District Judge, United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
30
Fundamentals of Federal Criminal Defense Seminar I
This program is designed for those new to federal criminal defense practice and addresses topics such as discovery and motion practice, pleas and proffers, the Bail Reform Act, and the basics of the sentencing guidelines. Limited financial assistance may be available to non-federal defender registrants for travel purposes.
Feb 1
Winning Strategies Seminar II
The Winning Strategies Seminar brings together a dynamic group of attorneys and other legal professionals to speak on a wide variety of topics, all specifically designed to keep CJA practitioners abreast of the most recent and important developments in federal criminal defense. Sessions include both large plenary lectures as well as smaller breakout sessions that meet the specific needs of the advanced practitioner and the less experienced attorney alike. The anticipated sessions will include such topics as a Supreme Court update, busting bond myths and winning pretrial release, dismantling the conspiracy charge (pretrial through trial), defending drug, conspiracy and immigration cases, implicit bias, sentencing issues, ethics and more. For those new to federal criminal defense practice, the Fundamentals of Federal Criminal Case will occur concurrently on January 30, 2020. Please register separately for the Fundamentals program.
6 - 8
Race in the Federal Criminal Court: Strategies in Pursuit of Justice
Race in the Federal Criminal Court: Strategies in Pursuit of Justice is designed to educate attorneys appointed pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act and those who work with them, about the many ways race impacts the administration of justice in federal court and provide them with strategies to combat racial injustice in the criminal justice system. Areas to be addressed include implicit bias, jury selection and Batson challenges, and racial disparities in detention hearings, charging, pleas, and at sentencing. In addition, sessions devoted to motions practice, and racial disparities in assessment tools employed in the context of pretrial detention hearings and under the First Step Act, as well as litigating race under the Fourth Amendment will be presented in both plenary and breakout sessions.
27 - 29
Non-Capital Sentencing Mitigation Skills Workshop
Using a storytelling approach, this workshop presents a hands-on method on the development of non-capital mitigation and its integration into persuasive sentencing advocacy. Through plenary and small group sessions, participants will further their understanding on non-capital mitigation evidence and the skills necessary to effectively interview for mitigation; investigate, collect and analyze records; and write reports and/or sentencing memorandum to present mitigation at sentencing. In the small group sessions, participants will use pending cases of their own to practice interviewing, storytelling, and persuasive writing. This workshop is specifically designed for non-capital mitigation social workers, sentencing advocates, attorneys and other professionals who provide this work under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA). Please note that due to the workshop format of this program, participation in all of the sessions is mandatory.
Enrollment for this program is limited to 45 federal defender staff and non-capital mitigation social workers, sentencing advocates, attorneys and other professionals who provide this work under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA).
5 - 7
Law & Technology Series: Techniques in Electronic Case Management (TECM) Workshop
In the digital era, knowledge about managing, reviewing, and analyzing electronic discovery or voluminous discovery is a critical skill for criminal defense attorneys. In fact, the first principle of the national joint electronic discovery protocol developed by representatives of the Federal Public Defenders, CJA panel attorneys, the Department of Justice and the Defender Services Office reflects this trend in the law: “[l]awyers have a responsibility to have an adequate understanding of electronic discovery.” (See ESI Protocol). This position has been adopted by the ABA. See, Commentary to Model Rule of Professional Responsibility 1.1.
The Law & Technology Series: Techniques in Electronic Case Management (TECM) Workshop exposes CJA panel attorneys and FDO staff to the legal, strategic, and technological considerations involved with electronic and/or voluminous discovery. This two-and-a-half-day program uses a combination of plenary presentations and small group, hands-on instruction. Besides gaining an understanding of the legal, practical, and technological issues in these types of federal criminal cases, participants will learn basic and advanced features of three litigation support software programs (Adobe Acrobat Pro, dtSearch, and CaseMap/TimeMap suite). Attendees will better understand how legal litigation support programs work, and how to coordinate thoughtful workflow processes with co-counsel, staff, and potential vendors. Workshop participants will also improve their overall ability to master case information, in order to better prepare a defense.
26 - 28
The Andrea Taylor Sentencing Advocacy Workshop
The Andrea Taylor Sentencing Advocacy Workshop focuses on a vital area of federal practice that has evolved since the Supreme Court declared the federal sentencing guidelines were advisory and no longer mandatory. Since approximately 97% of federal criminal cases continue to the sentencing phase, participation in the Sentencing Advocacy Workshop should not be missed. The Sentencing Advocacy Workshop teaches a comprehensive approach to sentencing where participants are trained to develop persuasive, fact-based, sentencing theories, and are provided with the advocacy skills necessary to advance their theories both in writing and during sentencing hearings. Presentations and demonstrations at the workshop include client relations and interviewing for mitigation, fact busting, developing persuasive theories and themes, storytelling at sentencing, persuasive writing, and persuasive presentation. The workshop consists of plenary sessions and small group breakout sessions. In the small group sessions, participants will use pending cases of their own to bust the facts, develop theories and themes, practice storytelling, persuasively write part of their sentencing memorandums and discuss how best to conduct sentencing hearings. Please note that due to the workshop format of this program, participation in all of the sessions is mandatory.
Enrollment for this program is limited to 65 participants – priority will be given to those people who have not attended this workshop in the past. Limited financial assistance may be available to non-federal defender registrants for travel expenses.
9 - 11
Trial Skills Workshop 2: Advocacy Strategies & Skills To Maximize Use Of Experts
The Trial Skills Workshops are two and a half day programs that center upon specific components of criminal trial litigation. This first iteration focuses on expert testimony and is the same workshop that we are offering in January. We will not offer this iteration again in 2020. The skills targeted include: (1) Identifying & screening experts to support the theory of the case, with practical workshops on screening, interviewing, records collection and qualifying the experts to testify; (2) Understanding competency procedurally and strategically, including the strengths and pitfalls of diagnostic modalities; (3) Effective use of the Federal Rules of Evidence to make sure that your experts are qualified and the reports and documents that further your theory are admitted into the record; (4) Advanced theme-based cross examination of the government’s expert witnesses; and (5) Advanced direct examination and understanding how to navigate the direct examination of a “hostile” witness. An experienced and skilled faculty will lead this program. Elements of effective litigation advocacy skills will be presented in the plenary sessions. Participants will practice those skills and receive feedback in small group sessions.
Attendance at this program is limited and requires an application which will be made available when registration opens. Accepted applicants will be notified in advance.
12 - 14
Federal Defender Investigator and Paralegal Seminar
This two-and-a-half-day program will cover a wide range of criminal defense topics specifically targeted toward investigators and paralegals, who work at the federal level. A mix of plenary and concurrent breakout sessions will include presentations on areas such as sentencing mitigation, mental health, document management and analysis, online investigation, BOP issues, and offense-specific tips for building a defense in a variety of federal cases. Topics might be of interest to mitigation specialists and social workers as well. In addition, the seminar will include an interpreter track, with topics of interest to those who perform interpreter duties in their offices, as well as paralegals and investigators who work with interpreters.