National Public Defense Virtual Conference 2021

In this session we will discuss certiorari petitions in the U.S. Supreme Court -- when to file them, how to write them, and how to respond when the prosecutor files one.

Zoom passcode if needed: 710249

My presentation will explore the unique and often overlooked  issues facing women in the criminal justice system.   Women are the fastest growing population in the U.S prison system.  Studies show that the vast majority of incarcerated women have experienced some form of abuse or trauma in their life.  Oftentimes, it is this experience that has led them, either directly or indirectly, to become involved in the criminal justice system.  Unfortunately, due to the sensitive nature of this information or lack of understanding of how it is connected to their current charges, the information is either not gathered or not used to as a tool to secure a better result for the client. This issue has become apparent in recent noteworthy cases of Cyntoia Brown and Chrystul Kizer. During the presentation I will provide information on to attendees about the pathways into the system for women,  what to look for when reviewing a case, how to address these issues with a client and how to use this information to negotiate with prosecutors.

This session is about going beyond precedent when thinking about how to win appeals, and the other factors you should consider to persuade judges, including judges of different persuasions.

There is no better way to seal a case for your client than by tapping into the court's humanity during oral argument. Learn tips and tricks for effectively prepping for oral argument through the lens of psychological heuristics, and how to use the court's heuristics to your client's advantage.

While you cannot win an appeal without a sound legal argument, the most critical part of your brief is the story you tell. Storytelling is the primary way people pass information to each other. We find strong storytellers everywhere: in politics, religion, business, and our courts. A powerful story engages the reader and draws them into your brief. Judges and law clerks rely heavily on storytelling. The more experienced the reader, the more they find storytelling briefs to be effective. For the appellate defender, storytelling is critical. This session will focus on how to incorporate storytelling into your writing and other advocacy. While this session is intended for lawyers who spend a lot of time writing, it is applicable to anyone who appears before a court, at trial or on appeal.
This session will not be recorded. 

Zoom Passcode if needed: 670351