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. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accreditation for DSO Training Division Programs will be requested unless otherwise noted. Program Credit hours will always be subject to each state's approval and credit rounding rules. Approved programs and credit hours will be made available at the conclusion of applicable programs.
For CLE information and available resources pertaining to your state, please visit the CLE Information Center.
If you have any questions about registering, please emailus.
May 31
UPDATED: The Mentorship Space Building Brave Spaces to Empower, Include, and Elevate
"When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that door of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back and give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed."--Michelle Obama
"A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself."--Oprah Winfrey
The Defender Services Office, Training Division (DSOTD) is pleased to announce the launch of a new online resource, The Mentorship Space, an on-demand video series offering practical tools and resources to create structured mentorship programs. Consider building a structured mentorship program or take your program to the next level by accessing The Mentorship Space here.
Through structured mentorship programs, an office can empower, include, and elevate its defenders. For new defender staff, a structured mentorship program provides support and training in client-centered advocacy skills and personal growth and provides an inclusive onboarding process. For more experienced defender staff, a mentorship program empowers and develops new leaders, includes and diversifies the voices in leadership, and creates community within the FPDO and throughout the defender nation. The Mentorship Space is a series of on-demand how-to videos offering practical tools and resources to create mentorship programs that empower, include, and elevate. The Mentorship Space can be accessed here: The Mentorship Space.
17
Evidence Wednesdays: A Defender’s Guide to Evidence in Sex Cases
The Federal Rules of Evidence overwhelmingly favor the prosecution in sex cases. For instance, unlike other type of cases, Rules 413 and 414 allow for prior acts to be used as propensity evidence in sexual assault cases and child molestation ones. Likewise, Rule 412 imposes significant barriers on what defense lawyers can do to challenge an alleged victim. This presentation equips defense lawyers with the tools to successfully navigate these challenges.
Presenter
Rene Valladares is the Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Boyd School of Law, and the UNLV Criminal Justice Department. He lectures nationally on various criminal law and procedure topics including evidence and the defense of conspiracy cases. Mr. Valladares serves on the Federal Defenders' Performance Measurement Working Group. Recently, Rene Valladares wrote a Defender's Guide to Federal Evidence: A Trial Practice Handbook for Criminal Defense Attorneys, published by NACDL.
CLE Information
We have applied for CLE accreditation in states that have mandatory requirements. We regret that we cannot respond to telephone inquiries regarding the status of CLE approval prior to the seminar. All information related to CLE will be emailed to attendees within 15-30 days following the program.
- To minimize reporting fees per attorney/program, if you are barred in more than one of the following states NM, TN, PA, NE, attendance will be reported to one state only.
- The attorney is responsible for making sure the appropriate state and bar number is on file with the DSO Training Division.
- For applicable states, attendance will be reported using the bar number and state(s) listed on the registration form submitted for this program.
- Failure to provide the state and bar number may result in the Training Division not being able to report your attendance.
24
Representing Juveniles in Federal Court
Representing a young person charged with an act of juvenile delinquency in federal court presents both unique challenges and unique opportunities for defense counsel. Juvenile cases differ markedly from adult prosecutions. The federal Juvenile Delinquency Act (JDA) provides the exclusive means for the prosecution of juveniles in federal court for violations of federal criminal law. This presentation is designed to provide federal defenders and CJA panel attorneys an overview of key provisions of the JDA, and an anatomy of a federal juvenile case from arrest through initial appearance, pretrial release and detention, speedy trial, motions hearing, disposition and transfer.
Most juvenile delinquency cases in the federal system have historically arisen in areas beyond state jurisdiction, primarily in Indian Country. As a result, some circuits have little case law interpreting the JDA, while others, like the Ninth Circuit, have a great deal. Participants will learn that courts, prosecutors, and probation officers in most districts—including those that include Indian Country—often have relatively little experience in handling juvenile cases and even fewer resources to support the juvenile client. After this webinar, participants will understand how the lack of institutional expertise gives rise to an opportunity for prepared defense counsel to set a positive direction for the juvenile client’s case from the outset.
Presenters:
David F. Ness began work as an Assistant Federal Defender in the Great Falls office in 2000. He was in private practice in Montana from 1991 through 1997, during which time he was a member of the Criminal Justice Act panel, then served as an Assistant Federal Defender with the Federal Defender Service for Eastern Tennessee, Inc., in Chattanooga. David was a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Russell C. McDonough of the Montana Supreme Court (1989-91). Coordinator for this organization’s quarterly CJA panel training sessions, he is a twice-published legal author. A 1985 graduate of Montana State University, David received his law degree (cum laude) from the University of Montana School of Law in 1989. David was honored as the Montana Trial Lawyer of the Year (1997-98). An outstanding habeas corpus litigator, David’s advocacy has been praised by both the Circuit and District Courts. In large part due to post conviction work in the Johnson cases, David was tapped as the 2017 Lawyer of the Year by the Montana Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Rachel Julagay joined the Federal Defenders of Montana in July 2018 as Assistant Federal Defender. She was selected to become the new Executive Director for the Federal Defenders of Montana and assumed that role on April 01, 2022. Rachel was formerly a senior level attorney with the Solano County (California) Public Defender’s Office where she tried numerous jury, non-jury, and juvenile matters dealing with the full gamut of criminal accusations. She worked for thirteen months with the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of California trying misdemeanors, as well as researching and writing appellate briefs and trial level memoranda. Rachel attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, graduating with distinction. Among her many academic honors, she was selected to the National Moot Court Team, named Top Oral Advocate, and received the Thomson Reuters sponsored Witkin Award for Academic Excellence.
CLE Information
We have applied for CLE accreditation in states that have mandatory requirements. We regret that we cannot respond to telephone inquiries regarding the status of CLE approval prior to the seminar. All information related to CLE will be emailed to attendees within 15-30 days following the program.
- To minimize reporting fees per attorney/program, if you are barred in more than one of the following states NM, TN, PA, NE, attendance will be reported to one state only.
- The attorney is responsible for making sure the appropriate state and bar number is on file with the DSO Training Division.
- For applicable states, attendance will be reported using the bar number and state(s) listed on the registration form submitted for this program.
- Failure to provide the state and bar number may result in the Training Division not being able to report your attendance.
14 - 16
2024 Federal Defender Investigator and Paralegal Seminar (FDIPS)
This two-and-a-half-day seminar will cover a wide range of topics specifically targeted toward investigators, paralegals, and other staff who contribute to defending federal criminal cases. A mix of plenary and concurrent breakout sessions will address areas such as online investigation, BOP issues, sentencing mitigation, mental health, document management and analysis, and offense-specific tips for building a powerful defense. Also, this program will include presentations on issues relevant to all members of the defense team including mitigation specialists and social workers. Finally, this training event will incorporate presentations centered on interpreters and those who perform interpreter duties in their offices or cases, as well as paralegals and investigators who work with bi-lingual clients and staff.
As with all DSOTD programs, there is no registration fee. This seminar is designed for, and attendance is limited to, federal defender staff.
If you have any questions about this seminar, email Joan Politeo at Joan_Politeo@ao.uscourts.gov.
6 - 7
Fundamentals of Federal Criminal Defense Seminar
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.
The Fundamentals of Federal Criminal Defense program is a 1 1/2 day program, ending at 2:00 PM PT on Friday, June 7, 2024. Fundamentals will occur concurrently with the HYBRID: Winning Strategies Seminar (a 2 1/2 day program), which runs from June 6-8, 2024, at the same hotel. Fundamentals registrants are welcome and invited to stay over and attend the Winning Strategies Seminar. Separate registration is not required; however, when you register for Fundamentals, please answer "yes" to the registration question about whether you also plan to stay and attend Winning Strategies.
CLE & CIN
We have applied for CLE accreditation in states that have mandatory requirements. We regret that we cannot respond to telephone inquiries regarding the status of CLE approval prior to the seminar. All information related to CLE will be emailed to attendees within two weeks following the program.
- In an effort to minimize reporting fees per attorney/program, if you are barred in more than one of the following states NM, TN, PA, NE, attendance will be reported to one state only. The attorney is responsible for making sure the appropriate state and bar number is on file with the DSO Training Division.
- For applicable states, attendance will be reported using the bar number and state(s) listed on the registration form submitted for this program.
- Failure to provide the state and bar number may result in the Training Division not being able to report your attendance.
For those attending in person from FPDOs, the Conference Identification Number (CIN) for this seminar is CONF240025.
Financial Assistance
Limited financial assistance may be available to non-federal defender registrants for travel and/or lodging purposes. Completed financial assistance applications must be returned no later than 5:00 PM EDT on April 19, 2024.
6 - 8
HYBRID: Winning Strategies Seminar
The two-and-a-half-day Winning Strategies Seminar is offered as a hybrid program (in person and virtual). The 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 Defenders and 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 sessions will include such topics as: Keynote address by Christina Swarns, Innocence Project Director; How to Litigate Geofence Warrants, Black Drivers Have a Problem in Richmond, Virginia: How to Win a Selective Enforcement Claim; Supreme Court Update; Using Body-Worn, Cruiser, and Pole-Mounted Cameras to Your Client’s Advantage During Motions Practice; Combatting AI – Identifying and Challenging AI Applications in Law Enforcement; Obtaining and Effectively Using Cellebrite Data at Trial; Integrating the Science of Adolescent Brain Development into Federal Criminal Practice; and Ethics and Artificial Intelligence.
CLE & CIN
We have applied for CLE accreditation in states that have mandatory requirements. We regret that we cannot respond to telephone inquiries regarding the status of CLE approval prior to the seminar. All information related to CLE will be emailed to attendees within two weeks following the program.
- In an effort to minimize reporting fees per attorney/program, if you are barred in more than one of the following states NM, TN, PA, NE, attendance will be reported to one state only. The attorney is responsible for making sure the appropriate state and bar number is on file with the DSO Training Division.
- For applicable states, attendance will be reported using the bar number and state(s) listed on the registration form submitted for this program.
- Failure to provide the state and bar number may result in the Training Division not being able to report your attendance.
For those attending in person from FPDOs, the Conference Identification Number (CIN) for this seminar is CONF240025.
Financial Assistance
Limited financial assistance may be available to non-federal defender registrants for travel and/or lodging purposes. Completed financial assistance applications must be returned no later than 5:00 PM EDT on April 19, 2024.
18 - 20
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 social workers, mitigation specialists, investigators, sentencing advocates, attorneys and other professionals who provide this work under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA).
Registration is expected to open around May 1, 2024.