Agenda Faculty CLE Hotel Exhibitor/Sponsor Scholarships Pricing Register Online Register by PDF
Program Summary:
Nirvana is the highest state of enlightenment that a person can attain. NACDL's 2024 Annual Meeting & Seminar, "Come as You Are: Finding Your Trial Nirvana in Cross, Openings, and Closings" will enlighten and prepare you for modern trials using innovative and proven trial techniques, taught by seasoned lawyers who have had significant success in the trenches. You will learn pre-trial strategies to prepare for cross-examination from the master of cross, Larry Pozner, as well as how to effectively communicate and persuade a jury in your opening statements and closing arguments. Come as you are, but expect to go home a better trial lawyer.
Location Description:
Your perfect adventure awaits – and there’s no better place to be in America during July than the Pacific Northwest. Often ranked at the top of the list as one of America’s most beautiful cities, Seattle’s captivating cityscapes meet the tranquil allure of unrivaled natural beauty. Seattle is home to one of the world’s most spectacular waterfronts, and offers everything from majestic mountains to rain forest, from hiking to fishing and boating, from local wines and beers to gourmet coffee, and more. You’ll enjoy a thriving arts and culture scene, including artisan makers, indie boutiques and designer fashions, where you can admire priceless works of art, sing your heart out, or explore like a local in the diverse neighborhoods, all without ever having to leave the city.
NACDL’s host hotel, The Sheraton Grand, is ideally situated in the heart of downtown, making it a perfect gateway to experience all the Emerald City has to offer. Centrally located at 6th and Pike St., directly adjacent to the Seattle Convention Center, the hotel is within walking distance of iconic local attractions, world-class shopping and critically acclaimed restaurants and bars.
Located just a few hours south of Vancouver, BC, there are also many possibilities for excitement and adventure beyond Seattle — so bring the whole family, extend your stay, and enjoy this magnificent city, at a time of year when it is truly most inviting! Make your plans to attend today!
WATCH, to see what you can expect by attending!
Agenda
The program agenda and faculty are subject to change.
| Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | |
|---|---|
| 3:30-6:00 pm | Early Registration & Exhibit Hall Open |
| Thursday, July 25, 2024 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Registration, Exhibits & Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00 am | Welcoming Remarks – NACDL President Michael P. Heiskell (Fort Worth, TX) & CLE Program Co-Chairs Huda Ajlani-Macri (Miami, FL), Jennifer Sellitti (Trenton, NJ), and Deja Vishny (Milwaukee, WI) |
| 8:15 am | Pre-Trial Preparation and Cross-Examination Using the Chapter Method - PART 1 – Larry Pozner (Kailua Kona, HI) |
| 9:00 am | NACDL Committee Meetings Throughout the Day (please pick up a detailed schedule at the NACDL registration desk) |
| 10:15 am |
Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break Sponsored by: |
| 10:35 am | Pre-Trial Preparation and Cross-Examination Using the Chapter Method - PART 2 – Larry Pozner (Kailua Kona, HI) |
| 12:35 pm | Lunch break on your own |
| 12:40 - 1:00 pm |
20-Minute Lunchtime Training: Making the Most of Video Evidence in Criminal Defense Sponsored by:
Description: See how new AI-based tools are helping criminal defense attorneys and public defenders save time and achieve better case outcomes. We’ll show you how you can: All using tools that are as simple as Google Docs to use. |
| 2:00 pm | “Image Goals” for Cross: Communicating the Emotional and Visual Goal of the Chapter – Chandra Peterson (Portland, OR) |
| 2:50 pm | K.I.S.S. (Keep it Super Simple): Cross Examination in Sexual Assault Cases – Leslie McNair-Jackson (Camden, NJ) |
| 3:40 pm | Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break |
| 4:00 pm | Holler Back: Cross Examination of Prosecution Cell Phone Witnesses – John Ellis (San Diego, CA) |
| 4:50 pm | Cross Examination of a Child Witness – Andres Guevara (Denver, CO) |
| 5:40 pm | Seminar Adjourns |
| 7:00 pm |
Welcome to Seattle Reception - Location: Cirrus Ballroom, 35th Floor, Sheraton Grand Seattle Platinum Sponsor: Gold Sponsors: Bronze Sponsor: |
| Friday, July 26, 2024 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Registration, Exhibits & Continental Breakfast |
| 7:00 am |
All Apologies: The 2nd Annual NACDL 5k Run/Walk Hosted by:
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| 8:00 am | Morning Remarks and Announcements – NACDL President-Elect Christopher A. Wellborn (Rock Hill, SC) & CLE Program Co-Chairs Huda Ajlani-Macri (Miami, FL), Jennifer Sellitti (Trenton, NJ), and Deja Vishny (Milwaukee, WI) |
| 8:10 am | Ethics: How to Handle Common Dilemmas that Occur in Criminal Cases – Amanda Clark Palmer (Atlanta, GA) |
| 8:10-10:10 am |
Breakout Session: The Business of Law—What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Own Firm – Many attorneys dream of starting their own practice, but don’t know where to start. This special session will provide guidance on how to make your own firm a reality. A panel of solo/small firm practitioners will discuss everything from getting clients, developing strategies to succeed in your market, dealing with employees, branding your practice, handling money and doing it all while keeping your sanity. Moderator: Tim Zerillo (Portland, ME) Speakers: Melissa Bobrow, Nicole DeBorde, Emily Gause, Jacqueline Goodman, JoEllyn Jones, Eugene Oliver, Lonnie Randolph, and Richard Willstatter Session Sponsored by:
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| 9:00 am | NACDL Committee Meetings Throughout the Day (please pick up a detailed schedule at the NACDL registration desk) |
| 9:10 am | Using Authenticity to Craft Effective Opening Statements – Juanita Kimble (Atlanta, GA) |
| 10:00 am | Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break |
| 10:20 am | The Invincibility of Detail: Story Telling, Educating, and Seizing Credibility: An Opening Statement DEMO – Bob Pepin (Port Angeles, WA) |
| 11:10 am | Opening Minds: Using Your Opening Statement to Level the Field – Kelli Childress (El Paso, TX) |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch break on your own |
| 12:05 - 12:25 pm |
20-Minute Lunchtime Training: AI-Powered BWC Review for Defense Attorneys Sponsored by:
Description: “I got a massive dump of 30-40 hours of body cam footage… there was no way I could have gone through it all without JusticeText.” - Jessa Nicholson Goetz, attorney in Madison, WI Today, thousands of criminal defense attorneys like Jessa use JusticeText to save hours reviewing BWC, jail calls, and interrogation videos. In this 20-minute session, learn how you can use cutting edge AI tools to transcribe, synthesize, clip, and redact important moments from video evidence to strengthen your case. In addition, join us before lunch to receive:
As a NACDL Affinity Partner, we’ve spent the last five years building JusticeText specifically for the criminal defense community. To learn more, hear from Alex Bunin, Chief Public Defender in Harris County, in this five-minute video or visit https://justicetext.com/. |
| 1:30 pm | Some People Deserve to Die: How to Make Effective Opening & Closing Arguments in Stand Your Ground Cases – James Smith (Windermere, FL) |
| 2:30 pm | Effectively Communicating Your Case in Closing Arguments – Alice Fontier (New York, NY) |
| 3:30 pm | Exhibits, Networking & Refreshment Break |
| 3:50 pm | Objections with Out of Bounds Prosecutors and Selling the Burden of Proof in Closing – Carmen Roe (Houston, TX) |
| 4:50 pm | Songs of Freedom: Making Your Client’s Story Sing At Sentencing – Tim Zerillo (Portland, ME) |
| 5:50 pm | Seminar Adjourns |
| 6:30 pm | Networking Reception – Location: TBA |
| Saturday, July 27, 2024 | |
|---|---|
| 7:30 am | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 8:00 am | NACDL Committee Meetings (pick up detailed schedule at NACDL registration desk) |
| 9:00 am | NACDL Annual Membership and Board of Directors Meeting; Inauguration of President-Elect Christopher A. Wellborn (Rock Hill, SC) |
| 1:00 pm | Enjoy Seattle! |
Faculty
Kelli Childress (El Paso, TX) *NACDL MEMBER
Amanda Clark-Palmer (Atlanta, GA) *NACDL MEMBER
John Ellis (San Diego, CA) *NACDL MEMBER
Alice Fontier (New York, NY) *NACDL MEMBER
Andres Guevara (Denver, CO) *NACDL MEMBER
Juanita Kimble (Atlanta, GA)
Leslie McNair-Jackson (Camden, NJ) *NACDL MEMBER
Bob Pepin (Port Angeles, WA)
Chandra Peterson (Portland, OR)
Larry Pozner (Kailua Kona, HI) *NACDL MEMBER
Carmen Roe (Houston, TX) *NACDL MEMBER
James Smith (Windermere, FL)
Tim Zerillo (Portland, ME) *NACDL MEMBER
CLE Information
NACDL is an accredited provider of CLE in all states requiring mandatory CLE Training. NACDL will apply for at least 14.75 credit hours in every state requiring pre-approval. Approved hours for each state will be identified at the seminar. Some states, IL, GA, NC, NE, NM, PA, SC, TN and UT require additional fees by the attendee in order to receive credit.
Hotel
Sheraton Grand Hotel
1400 6th Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
Phone Reservations: 1-800-325-3535
Online Reservations: https://book.passkey.com/e/50725363
Group rate: $239 + tax - SOLD OUT (expires July 3, 2024). Current going rate $397- $425.
Rooms/discounted group rates are not guaranteed once the block has been filled.
ALTERNATIVE NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS
Hilton Motif Seattle
1415 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(0.1 miles away)
Hotel Theodore
1531 7th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(0.1 miles away)
Grand Hyatt Seattle
721 Pine St
Seattle, WA 98101
(0.2 miles away)
The Paramount Hotel
724 Pine St
Seattle, WA 98101
(0.2 miles away)
Mayflower Park Hotel
405 Olive Way
Seattle, WA 98101
(0.3 miles away)
Sponsorship and Exhibits
Disclaimer: NACDL does not necessarily endorse or guarantee the quality, applicability, or discounts of the products and/or services of its exhibitors. Users of these products and/or services do so at their sole discretion and NACDL assumes no responsibility for them.
We are currently SOLD OUT of exhibit booth space. Please note that NACDL is working with the hotel and Fire Marshall to secure more space. Please contact NACDL's Sales and Marketing Manager Jason Petty at jpetty@nacdl.org or call (202) 465-7637 for more details on our wait list.
NACDL would like to thank the following sponsors, exhibitors, and affinity partners for their support and contributions:
PLATINUM Sponsor:
still available...
GOLD Sponsor:
SILVER Sponsor:
still available...
BRONZE Sponsor:
still available..
Cocktail Reception Sponsors:
Platinum Sponsor:
Gold Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsor:
Wi-Fi Sponsor:
Seminar Materials Sponsor:
still available...
Lanyards Sponsor:
Tote Bag Sponsor:
Exhibitors:
BluShark Digital
British Custom Tailors
Casefile Connect
Complete Equity Markets, Inc.
Convert It Marketing
Cornerstone Discovery
evolveVoucher
Fat Pencil Studio
Filevine
Godoy Medical Forensics, Inc.
Hona
Intoxalock
JusticeText
Legalfit
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)
Reduct.Video
RizeUp Media
SMB Team
Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Scholarships
Needs Based Scholarships
Based on need, scholarships are available to NACDL members for up to 50% off the standard seminar fee of $429. Approved recipients are responsible for the remainder of the tuition fee, which is $215 (all other expenses are not included). The reduced scholarship fee includes seminar tuition, admission to all evening social events, and downloadable seminar materials. Travel, hotel, and other costs are not included.
To Apply: Prepare and e-mail a letter of no more than two pages explaining the reason why you believe you should receive the grant to: NACDL Senior Director of Events Akvile Athanason, at aathanason@nacdl.org.
All applications must be submitted before registering for the seminar and received by June 26, 2024.
NACDL MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR NEEDS-BASED AND AMY SEIDMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS.
Pricing
Register Online Register by PDF
Members of NACDL enjoy exclusive registration rates for our seminars along with all the benefits from joining.
| Registration Fees | |
|---|---|
| NACDL MEMBERS: Regular, Life, President's Club and Sustaining Members | $429 |
| NACDL MEMBERS: Public Defender, Associate, Investigator, Professor, New Lawyer, International and Military | $299 |
| Non-Members: Private Practitioners (includes 1-year membership) | $799 |
| Non-Member Public Defenders | $319 |
| ALL Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon Lawyers (Residents Only) | $309 |
| Groups of 4 or more PDs (must register at the same time; 1 payment; no changes or cancellations allowed). To register a group, please visit: http://www.nacdl.org/PDGroups | $289 |
| Non-Attendee Materials / Recordings | |
|---|---|
| Audio Recording of Seminar (pre-sale) | $225 |
| Video Recording of Seminar (pre-sale) | $299 |
CANCELLATIONS: There is a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations must be received in writing via e-mail to cancel@nacdl.org by 5:30 pm E.T. Friday, July 19, 2024, to receive a refund, less the cancellation fee. No refunds can be issued after the cancellation deadline.
Code of Conduct
NACDL endeavors to foster a working, learning, and social environment free of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and insult. To that end, NACDL has adopted a Code of Conduct for Affiliated Persons that applies to all attendees and participants of any kind at all NACDL sponsored events.
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