DPA 2025 Annual Conference

We will examine how to gather and utilize mental health evidence in a practical manner in your case. This will include the ethical handling of the material and involvement of the client in the decision making process. Different specific defenses and scenarios will be examined with an emphasis on the courtroom application of mental health evidence.

Don’t be afraid of an “appeal.” It’s likely you already possess the skillset to competently appeal a district court order. To help you draft a winning brief, this session provides a step-by-step guide alongside your ethical obligations.

Attendees will gain insight into critical discovery tactics that ensure your team is fully informed and prepared for the legal challenges ahead. Whether you're a seasoned attorney or a member of the defense team in a supportive role, this session will help ensure compliance with ethical obligations under Supreme Court Rules 3.130. In this session, we will explore the critical role of understanding Kentucky’s Open Records Law and how it intersects with discovery in criminal cases to ensure competent representation, as required by Rule 1.1. We’ll examine how a strategic approach, combining Open Records and discovery efforts, can help attorneys fulfill their duty of diligence under Rule 1.3. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of effective and ongoing communication under Rule 1.4 to maximize the positive impact of both discovery and Open Records on the client's litigation. Finally, we will address the ongoing duty of confidentiality under Rule 1.6, emphasizing how attorneys can navigate Open Records and discovery while protecting sensitive client information.

Whether it is a coworker or client, invisible disabilities impact lives. This is an awareness raising session to identify invisible disabilities as well as identifying ways to combat the stigma associated with disabilities. We will discuss best practices for representing (advocacy) clients and ways to support our colleagues with invisible disabilities. There will be an overview of the ADA and Rehabilitation Act, ethical obligations such as Competency & Capacity issues, and information on P&A’s role.

The goal is to build strong communication techniques on client representation teams so we can better collaborate for our clients. Not only is it better clients, it’s also ethically required.