Upcoming Events
The following events may be of interest to panel attorneys and generally provide MCLE credit.
CAP-LA “Appellate Practice Selected Topics” Seminar
January 21, 2025 from 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Hybrid
Presented by CAP-LA
Panel members from all appellate projects are welcome and encouraged to attend. Topics include Updates in Criminal Case Law, the Racial Justice Act & the Improper Use of Peremptory Challenges, Perspectives from the Bench, Protecting Your Client at Resentencing, and Ethics.
5.0 hours of general and appellate and criminal specialization MCLE credit is offered for this training, including 1.0 hour of Recognition and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession and 1.0 hour of Legal Ethics.
The Power of Story
January 28, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Hybrid
Presenter: Vincent Brunkow, Chief Appellate Attorney, Federal Defenders on San Diego, Inc.
Hosted by ADI
Philosophy, science, and research all support the use of story-based narratives to most effectively communicate with others. The goal of an appellate brief is to persuade judges to rule in favor of our client. But appellate briefs too often overlook storytelling techniques. This hybrid training will discuss the structure and components of good storytelling to empower participants to tell winning stories in their cases.
We highly encourage in-person attendance. ADI staff attorneys will be there, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
1.0 hour of general MCLE credit is offered for this training.
If you are joining us in-person, please RSVP by January 24, 2025 to Deanna Lopas at dll@adi-sandiego.com, or Siri Shetty at sds@adi-sandiego.com.
For those who wish to attend virtually, the Zoom link is below. Zoom registration for the event will end at 8:30 a.m., two hours before the event begins.
Upholding Civility in Appellate Advocacy: Professionalism and Respect in the Practice of Law
February 19, 2025 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Hybrid
Presenter: Donna Chirco, ADI Staff Attorney
In this virtual program, ADI Staff Attorney Donna Chirco will discuss the definition of civility, its impact on our practice and advocacy, and more.
1.0 Civility in the Legal Profession MCLE credit is offered for this training.
The registration link will be posted closer to the event. Registration will be open up until 2 hours before the event.
MCLE Programs Offered by Other Defense Organizations
Measure Twice, Object Once
January 23, 2025 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Remote
Presented by OSPD
Ninety-Seven percent of Americans now own a cell phone. And now more than ever, law enforcement is seeking location data generated by these devices. This presentation explains how location data is generated by mobile devices and provides an overview for attacking this data. It also provides practical advice for dealing with these materials in a case.
1 hour of MCLE Credit in Technology in the Practice of law is offered for this training.
What is AI?
January 25, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Hybrid
USD School of Law Community Defenders, Inc.
As uses of artificial intelligence expand, including its use in case preparation and courtrooms, criminal defense attorneys must learn its uses, ethical considerations, and potential challenges in criminal trials, appeals and postconviction cases. This seminar will present updated information in the rapidly-changing and developing field of AI and related strategies by speakers well-versed in this field.
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
January 27, 2025 from 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. | Remote
Presented by OSPD
Suicide is a significant public health concern, and lawyers are at an elevated risk. A 2023 study concluded that attorneys are twice as likely as other working U.S. working adults to have suicidal thoughts and many suffer in silence given the associated stigma within the legal profession. In part two of this series addressing suicide, attendees will learn what’s driving the higher rates of suicidal thinking among lawyers, how to identify those most at risk, what we as the public defense community can do create awareness and support, and the strategies that prevent suicide.
1.25 hours of MCLE Credit in Wellness Competence is offered for this training.
CDCR Credits, Release Dates, and Parole Consideration Dates
January 28, 2025 from 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Remote
Presented by OSPD
Knowing how the CDCR calculates credits and sets release and parole dates is necessary for evaluating case options and advising clients. Heather MacKay will share her expertise in deciphering CDCR’s current policies, including how release and parole dates are recalculated after re-sentencings. Questions will be answered at the end of the presentation.
1.25 hours of MCLE Credit is offered for this training.
Identifying and Challenging Digital General Warrants
January 30, 2025 from 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. | Remote
Presented by OSPD
Law enforcement agencies are obtaining warrants to identify any digital device present in an area, to uncover anyone who searched for particular topics on Google, and to search entire devices. This presentation will explore these unconstitutional techniques, including how to identify their use and how to challenge them.
1 hour of MCLE Credit is offered for this training.
On-Demand Courses
New Racial Justice Act Online On-Demand Course
OSPD is excited to open a new on-demand course on the Racial Justice Act. You will learn all the basics,
refresh your knowledge, and stay up to date on RJA developments! These videos and written materials have
been collected from around the state and are meant to help practitioners regardless of their experience in
litigating the RJA.
Participants are able to receive MCLE Self Study and Specialty Credit for their hours working on the course (up to 10-hours).
SVP Course
This course is intended for anyone in Indigent defense looking to learn more about Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) petitions and defending against these civil commitments. Those taking this course from start to finish can expect to spend approximately 9 hours to complete. However, registrants should also feel free to take this course at their own pace. Completion of this course earns 8.25 hours of general MCLE credits.