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DPA 2025 Annual Conference
Monday, June 2
 

1:00pm EDT

Welcome to the DPA Annual Conference 2025
Monday June 2, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Ballrooms 1-2
During this session we will celebrate the amazing work done by DPA Public Defenders in the Commonwealth. We will also learn about new developments in public defense over the past calendar year, how to apply new legislation to continue with client success, and how to apply old rules to new situations to continue the growth and success of our agency.
Speakers
avatar for Damon Preston

Damon Preston

Public Advocate, Department of Public Advocacy
Damon Preston has worked as a public defender for 31 years and is Kentucky’s Public Advocate. After graduating from Transylvania University and Harvard Law School, Damon began his legal career as a public defender in New York City with the Legal Aid Society. He returned to Kentucky... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Ballrooms 1-2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  General

2:15pm EDT

2025 Kentucky Supreme Court Criminal Law Update: The SCOKY Family
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ballroom 2
This session will cover published Supreme Court criminal law cases from June, 2024 through April, 2024, with an emphasis on breadth rather than depth. Topics will include search and seizure, Miranda, Confrontation Clause, juror issues, evidence issues, sentencing and post-convict issues, and more.
Speakers
BS

B. Scott West

B. Scott West, a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law (1988) and Vanderbilt University (1985), brings diverse legal experience to his practice. He began his career at Texaco in Houston, spending ten years as in-house litigation counsel, handling cases ranging from... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ballroom 2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:15pm EDT

Effective Use of KOMS
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
Participants will learn best practices for KOMS. This session will also include advanced techniques. There will be ample time left for questions and answers.
Speakers
CB

Carri Barnett

Justice Program Administrator, OPA, Department of Public Advocacy
Carri Barnett brings a wealth of experience and expertise in parole revocation to the forefront with over two decades of dedicated service to the KY Parole Board. Starting as a diligent risk assessor, Carri quickly rose through the ranks to oversee parole revocation statewide, where... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:15pm EDT

Expungement Law Update and Clinic Participation
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11
Participants in this session will learn about Kentucky's expungement requirements for both misdemeanors and felonies, and how to properly advise clients on expungement procedures and availability. The session will include training for both attorneys and non-attorney staff to participate in local expungement clinics or host clinics themselves.
Speakers
EK

Elias Kang-Bartlett

Assistant Public Advocate, Department of Public Advocacy
Hello, I’m Elias Kang-Bartlett, staff attorney in the DPA LaGrange Post-Conviction Office. I grew up in Louisville, KY and attended the University of Louisville for my undergrad and law school degrees. My interest in expungements arose early in my legal career, where I volunteered... Read More →
KS

Kara Stinson Lewis

Directing Attorney, LaGrange Post-Conviction, Department of Public Advocacy
Kara Lewis is the Directing Attorney of DPA's LaGrange Post-Conviction office. A graduate of Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law, she began her career in public defense in 2001 at the Louisville Metro Public Defender's Office. She... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:15pm EDT

Murder 101: It Takes a Village
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ballroom 1
You've got your first murder case, now what?  This presentation will explore strategies to effectively work with your investigator to build the best defense possible for your client from the beginning.  
Speakers
avatar for Kayla Fugate

Kayla Fugate

Directing Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Kayla Fugate is the Directing Attorney for Bowling Green South office of the Department of Public Advocacy.  She is a native of Simpson County, Kentucky and a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law.  She attended Western Kentucky University for undergrad where she was... Read More →
MW

Monica Woods

Investigator, Department of Public Advocacy
Monica Woods, the 2020 recipient of the Rosa Parks Award, joined DPA as an investigator in 2015, bringing with her more than a decade of law enforcement experience. She has served at both the local and Federal levels, having been both a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service and... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ballroom 1 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:15pm EDT

Serious Youthful Offender Transfer and the Need for System Coordination: A Case Study
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
This session will examine juvenile Serious Youthful Offender transfer and system coordination through a case study lens. A case study of a juvenile violent offender, transferred to Circuit Court and system coordination highlights the need for a collaborative approach involving various agencies like juvenile justice, law enforcement, and social services which can lead to more effective interventions, reduced recidivism, and improved outcomes for both the client and the community. Some key aspects of system coordination that will be examined include Early Intervention, Assessment and Risk Management, Collaboration and Communication between agencies and systems of care, Development of Individualized Treatment Plans and the role of the ASW, Community Support, Mental Health and Competency, and other miscellaneous issues such as involuntary medication and early transfer to adult correctional facilities that may arise as you are advocating for your youthful clients.

Additionally, the panel will discuss the role of the ASW and other DPA team members such as Protection and Advocacy in developing tailored plans that address the specific needs of the youthful client, including substance abuse treatment, mental health services, educational support, and vocational training. Case strategies such as request for competency evaluation, need for robust motion practices, and involving families, schools, and other community stakeholders in the judicial and rehabilitation process will be explored.
Speakers
avatar for Sharon Schnelle

Sharon Schnelle

Staff Attorney III, Department of Public Advocacy
Sharon Schnelle is a Staff Attorney III in the Somerset Trial Office. She has worked with DPA since 2022, but prior to that she was a practicing private attorney in Ohio specializing in Criminal Defense, Juvenile Delinquency, and Family Law. Ms. Schnelle graduated from Capital University... Read More →
SC

Stacy Coontz

Senior Staff Attorney--P&A, Department of Public Advocacy
Bio: Stacy Coontz graduated UK College of Law in 2000. She worked in DPA Danville’s office until 2016, then went into private practice. After serving as a District Court judge, she joined P&A as the Senior Staff Attorney. If these need hobbies, etc.: She dreams of opening a needlework... Read More →
avatar for Donna Thomas

Donna Thomas

Alternative Sentencing Worker, Department of Public Advocacy
Donna Thomas is an Alternative Sentencing Worker for Department of Public Advocacy at the Somerset Trial Office. She has over twenty years’ experience working within various state systems of care including education, child protection and public advocacy assisting the underprivileged... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:15pm EDT

Stopping the School to Prison Pipeline: Using Educational Advocacy for Youth Defense
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
Knowing the federal education rights of children is a great way to combat and brainstorm new ways to practice youth defense where it overlaps with school discipline . Learn about IDEA and how to use special education procedures to benefit children in their corresponding delinquency cases.
Speakers
SL

Sarah Langer

Attorney, Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
Sarah Langer joined Children's Law Center as an Attorney at our Lexington location in December of 2024. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies from Washington University in St. Louis where she also received her Juris Doctor.
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:15pm EDT

Law of the Guilty Plea
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ballroom 3
This session will be an analysis of the rules and law regarding the entry of a guilty plea. The session will start with negotiation and proceed to enforcement of a plea. We will troubleshoot common pitfalls and problems that are encountered and how to avoid them.
Speakers
TG

Tom Griffiths

Tom Griffiths is a lifelong public defender. He has been a public defender for over twenty five years. The majority of that time has been with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy focusing on defense in death penalty cases. He has taken six capital cases to trial and has handled... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

3:30pm EDT

Challenging Selective Enforcement
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
Selective enforcement of the law is an issue that often goes unchallenged.  In this session, we will discuss ways to identify and challenge selective enforcement.  We will also discuss how we can collaborate to gather information and assist our clients through data collection and information sharing.
Speakers
avatar for Mary Rohrer

Mary Rohrer

Directing Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Mary Rohrer is the Directing Attorney of the Princeton Trial Office.  After graduating from Asbury University (2008) and the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law (2011), Mary began her career as a part-time county attorney and part-time private practitioner before venturing... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

3:30pm EDT

Investigating and Litigating Intellectual Disability
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11
This session is geared towards both trial and post-trial lawyers who handle capital cases (or have an interest in doing so in the future), capital investigators, and even non-capital litigation team members who want to learn more about intellectual disability to see how they may be able to investigate and present intellectual disability to try to obtain a more favorable outcome for their clients.
Speakers
DB

David Barron

Staff Attorney III, Capital Post-Conviction Unit, DPA
David Barron has represented death-sentenced individuals exclusively for nearly twenty-two years, first in South Carolina and since July 2004, in the Post-Conviction Branch at the Department of Public Advocacy. Handling only capital cases in state post-conviction and federal habeas... Read More →
JM

Josh Miller

Supervisor, CTB East., Department of Public Advocacy
Josh was born in Philadelphia and raised in Paducah. Before attending UK Law, Josh cooked in restaurants, raised money for a Boston hospital & taught English in China. During law school he studied intellectual property law in Beijing and clerked for Judge Erik Møse at the International... Read More →
intellectual disability manual chapter as of May 9 2025 pdf
amended intell. disab. 60.02 motion pdf
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

3:30pm EDT

Sex Cases 101
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom 1
You find yourself hurtling towards your first trial of sex-based offenses. What should you be expecting? What will you need to be ready for? This session looks at some basic issues and circumstances that may arise as you defend your client against the crimes outlined in KRS Chapter 510.
Speakers
avatar for W. Chris Tracy

W. Chris Tracy

Bluegrass Regional Manager, Department of Public Advocacy
W. Chris Tracy joined the Department of Public Advocacy in 2009, having graduated from UK Law and Butler University. He started in the unified Lexington office on Church St., originally sharing his office with two other staff attorneys. Subsequently, Chris became a staff attorney... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom 1 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

3:30pm EDT

Strangulation: Focus on Voir Dire
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
This session will focus on how to build a theory of non-guilt in strangulation cases and how to use that theory to select (or deselect) a jury. This session will incorporate how investigators and attorneys can work together to build the theory and select a jury.
Speakers
avatar for Jeb Dennis

Jeb Dennis

Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Jeb Dennis practices out of the DPA Bowling Green North Trial Office. He is from Cranford, New Jersey. Jeb moved to Durham, North Carolina to attend Duke University School of Law. Throughout his time at Duke, he was honored with the Pro Bono All Star Award for logging the most pro... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

3:30pm EDT

The Contextual and Client-Centered Approach to The Transgender Client
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
A Contextual and Client-Centered Approach to the Transgender Client seeks to serve as a 101 type course for the practitioner. Upon completion counsel should be able to understand the entire lgbtqia+ community and feel comfortable advocating for them. They will feel confident in how to approach the topic and have a respectful conversation about what it means to be a trans person charged with various crimes. Attorneys will also leave able to have a thoughtful discussion about the marginalization of trans people and how to combat that prejudice ethically in the courtroom on behalf of their Clients.
Speakers
avatar for Madison Leach

Madison Leach

Staff Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Madison is a 2015 graduate of Southern Illinois School of Law. Madison was an intern in the Paducah office during her undergrad education at Murray State and while in her final year of law school. She started in the Murray Office in December of 2015 and decided to go private in January... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

3:30pm EDT

US Supreme Court Review
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom 3
This session will review the important criminal constitutional cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court this term. Presenters will provide a summary of the decisions and will give advice on how to apply the reasoning and holdings to public defense. Participants will be given time to ask questions and express thoughts on the cases and topics presented.
Speakers
avatar for Kathleen Schmidt

Kathleen Schmidt

Appeals Branch Manager, Department of Public Advocacy
Kathleen Kallaher Schmidt has served DPA as the Appeals Branch Manager since June 2007. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, and the University of Kentucky School of Law, Ms. Schmidt began her career at DPA as an intern in 1981 and as an attorney in 1983. She practiced in the Appeals... Read More →
MM

Molly Mattingly

Staff Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Molly Mattingly is a Staff Attorney with the Appeals Branch, having joined the Kentucky Bar in October 2010 and the DPA in November 2010. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee, and... Read More →
BM

Beth McMahon

Post-Trial Division Director, Department of Public Advocacy
Beth McMahon is the Director of DPA’s Post-Trial Division. She is a graduate of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky College of Law. Beth began her career at the Louisville Metro Public Defender's Office in 1994, where she served as a staff attorney in the Juvenile... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

3:30pm EDT

Your Client Says He Will Lie on the Stand. Now What?
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom 2
What happens when a Client informs you that he intends to take the stand and lie? Do we remain silent? Do we inform the Court? Can or Should we withdraw from the case? What is the process? What happens if the client does not tell you he is going to lie, but then he gets up there on the stand and does so? These questions, and more, will all be answered in this presentation. Special emphasis will be placed on Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 (Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer), 1.6 (Duty of Confidentiality), and 3.3 (Duty of Candor to the Tribunal), and case law interpreting these rules.
Speakers
BS

B. Scott West

B. Scott West, a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law (1988) and Vanderbilt University (1985), brings diverse legal experience to his practice. He began his career at Texaco in Houston, spending ten years as in-house litigation counsel, handling cases ranging from... Read More →
Monday June 2, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom 2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics
 
Tuesday, June 3
 

8:30am EDT

Defending Alleged Abusive Head Trauma Cases: Challenging the Commonwealth’s Experts Under Daubert
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
This session will address the issues surrounding alleged abusive head trauma (AHT) cases and how best to defend against the Commonwealth's AHT theory at trial. Whitney and Chelsea will discuss how the AHT diagnosis fails the Daubert standard, and the ways in which trial attorneys should be challenging the Commonwealth's child abuse experts as well as the diagnosis itself. Whitney and Chelsea will draw from two AHT cases from the trial and PC stages to demonstrate the unreliability of the AHT diagnosis and how to effectively challenge it pre-trial.
Speakers
avatar for Whitney Allen

Whitney Allen

KIP Staff Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Whitney Allen graduated from the University of Kentucky’s College of Law in 2018. She joined DPA’s Post-Conviction Branch in 2018 and moved into her role as a staff attorney with the Kentucky Innocence Project in 2019. She currently litigates post-conviction innocence claims... Read More →
avatar for Chelsea Clem

Chelsea Clem

KIP Staff Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Chelsea Clem is a 2019 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law. While in law school, she was selected to participate in the KIP externship. This experience led her to join DPA's Post-Conviction Branch upon graduation, where she spent nearly six years litigating claims... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Early Childhood Neurodevelopment and Legal Defense
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11
Defense teams typically include thinking about trauma experiences and their effects on client behaviors in committing crimes and in potentially mitigating sentences. However, there are also neurophysiological factors that can greatly shape client behaviors in ways that may be hidden from clients’ awareness. This workshop will explore the potential effects of negative events in early life and they ways in which these effects can be manifest in client behaviors. The session includes a review of key factors in early childhood neurodevelopment and the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects of early problems in development and how these can be relevant to mitigation and defense team relationships with clients. In part II (offered in the next hour), we will discuss recommendations for interviewing clients and family/other witnesses and data collection will be discussed. Thus, the overall goal of this workshop is to simply increase defense awareness of and confidence in exploring this clearly difficult area.
Speakers
RW

Robert Walker, MSW

Consultant and Retired Faculty Member, University of Kentucky Department of Behavioral Science
Robert Walker, MSW, is a retired faculty member of the Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, and member of the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research at the University of Kentucky. He spent 30 years in community mental health as an LCSW,  20 of which were as the agency... Read More →
avatar for Athena Kheibari

Athena Kheibari

Assistant Professor in Social Work
Athena Kheibari, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University School of Social Work in Detroit, Michigan. Her research agenda is formulated to understand suicide at all system levels and to produce meaningful empirical data that has realistic implications for prevention... Read More →
Walker, Kheibari Early Childhood Development in Legal Defense pdf
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Litigating KRS Chapter 202C Cases
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
This session will provide an overview of involuntary commitment proceedings under KRS Chapter 202C and what we have learned since the law was enacted in 2021 and amended in 2024. We will explore constitutional and evidentiary objections, potential ethical concerns, and pending appeals, as well as give practice tips for handling these cases.
Speakers
avatar for Tim Arnold

Tim Arnold

Attorney, Appeals Branch, Department of Public Advocacy
Tim Arnold graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, IL, in 1993, and from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1996. After joining the bar, Tim started as an attorney in the Juvenile Post Dispositional Branch of DPA in the Frankfort office, and served as the Branch Manager... Read More →
avatar for Kathleen Schmidt

Kathleen Schmidt

Appeals Branch Manager, Department of Public Advocacy
Kathleen Kallaher Schmidt has served DPA as the Appeals Branch Manager since June 2007. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, and the University of Kentucky School of Law, Ms. Schmidt began her career at DPA as an intern in 1981 and as an attorney in 1983. She practiced in the Appeals... Read More →
SS

Sheila Seadler

Department of Public Advocacy
Sheila Seadler is a staff attorney in the Louisville region of the Department of Public Advocacy. In that role, she represents individuals accused of serious criminal offenses in the district and circuit courts, acts as lead counsel in high profile cases, works with other attorneys... Read More →
BM

Beth McMahon

Post-Trial Division Director, Department of Public Advocacy
Beth McMahon is the Director of DPA’s Post-Trial Division. She is a graduate of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky College of Law. Beth began her career at the Louisville Metro Public Defender's Office in 1994, where she served as a staff attorney in the Juvenile... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Perceptions and Distortions: What Body Camera Footage Does and Doesn't Show
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Ballroom 2
Body cameras have become ubiquitous, adding large amounts of digital evidence to existing caseloads. Body cameras have evolved greatly in their iterations and capacity. `This session will walk though what to look for, what to ask for and how to approach body camera evidence in criminal cases.
Speakers
JM

Jumana Musa

Jumana Musa is a human rights attorney and racial justice activist. She is currently the Director of the Fourth Amendment Center at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. As director, Ms. Musa oversees NACDL's initiative to build a new, more durable Fourth Amendment... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Ballroom 2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Science vs. Suspicion: Defending DUI Cases with the NHTSA Manual
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
This session will cover the three phases of investigation in the NHTSA guide which aid law enforcement in detecting impairment of drivers of motor vehicles. It will discuss where cross-examination with the NHTSA guide fits in to the broader scheme of DUI defense and DUI law enforcement cross-examination. Finally, it will provide a general guide to challenging the weight afforded to field sobriety tests and other "indicators" of intoxication.
Speakers
KR

Kadison Roberts

Staff Attorney II, Department of Public Advocacy
Kadison Roberts received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2020, and graduated from Drake Law School in Des Moines, Iowa in 2023. He has experience as a student attorney working in indigent defense, criminal prosecutions, and in appellate... Read More →
CS
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Speech in the Age of Surveillance and AI: Legal Defense of Social Media Evidence
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Ballroom 3
How to exclude, chip away at and cross-examine around social media evidence.
Speakers
JR

Justin Rosas

Justin Rosas received his JD from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law and
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

What to Do with Your Mental Health Evidence
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Ballroom 1
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.
Speakers
TG

Tom Griffiths

Tom Griffiths is a lifelong public defender. He has been a public defender for over twenty five years. The majority of that time has been with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy focusing on defense in death penalty cases. He has taken six capital cases to trial and has handled... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Ballroom 1 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

9:45am EDT

4AC Sampler: Tech Topics, Trends, and Tips from the Fourth Amendment Center
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom 2
AI another technologies have infected every aspect of the criminal legal system. This session will do a high level survey of law enforcement tech tools and provide tips on how to identify and challenge them in criminal cases.
Speakers
JM

Jumana Musa

Jumana Musa is a human rights attorney and racial justice activist. She is currently the Director of the Fourth Amendment Center at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. As director, Ms. Musa oversees NACDL's initiative to build a new, more durable Fourth Amendment... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom 2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Finding the Buried Bodies: Discovering the Flaws in Forensic Science Evidence
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom 1
Session 1: Discover how to approach forensic science evidence in building your defense and how and where to discover the flaws by obtaining records not generally provided in discovery or overlooked. In addition, learn how best to present such evidence to juries in language and examples they can understand.

Speakers
JB

Jerry Buting

Jerome F. Buting is a partner in the Brookfield, Wisconsin law firm of Buting, Williams & Stilling, S.C. He received his undergraduate degree in Forensic Studies from Indiana University and his law degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. He is a past board director... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom 1 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Mitigation 101
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom 3
This session is designed to introduce public defender staff and private practitioners (attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, and paralegals) to the fundamentals of capital mitigation. This session is a primer targeted for newer practitioners to capital defense work. Topics covered will include, but are not limited to working with a mitigation specialist, what a typical investigation should include, and preparing for a penalty phase.
Speakers
avatar for Cara Venning

Cara Venning

Mitigation Specialist, Venning and Associates, LLC
Cara is a capital mitigation specialist with several years' experience working in public defense settings. Cara has spent her legal career working with capital defense teams, helping to serve indigent clients facing the death penalty.
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Role of Childhood Development on Adult Disorder: Application Techniques
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11
In this session we will discuss recommendations for interviewing clients and family/other witnesses and data collection around childhood development will be discussed. This is the second part of a 2-part session. The first session focused on how to look at trauma experiences and their effects on client behaviors in committing crimes and in potentially mitigating sentences. The overall goal of this workshop is to simply increase defense awareness of and confidence in exploring this clearly difficult area.
Speakers
RW

Robert Walker, MSW

Consultant and Retired Faculty Member, University of Kentucky Department of Behavioral Science
Robert Walker, MSW, is a retired faculty member of the Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, and member of the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research at the University of Kentucky. He spent 30 years in community mental health as an LCSW,  20 of which were as the agency... Read More →
avatar for Athena Kheibari

Athena Kheibari

Assistant Professor in Social Work
Athena Kheibari, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University School of Social Work in Detroit, Michigan. Her research agenda is formulated to understand suicide at all system levels and to produce meaningful empirical data that has realistic implications for prevention... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Team Collaboration in Post Trial Cases
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
Building teams and collaboration in appellate and postconviction is essential to effective advocacy. This session will focus on the importance of multi-disciplinary teams, cultural humility, communication and collaboration necessary to provide a zealous defense. We will explore specific case examples of how teamwork can result in successful litigation.
Speakers
avatar for Melinda Pendergraph

Melinda Pendergraph

Training Director, Missouri Public Defender
Melinda Pendergraph is Training Director for the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office, serving in that capacity since 2011. She has worked in the Missouri Public Defender’s Office since 1986. During that time, Melinda primarily handled death penalty appeals in the Missouri... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Unlocking Public Information: Navigating Kentucky's Open Records Process
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
Ever hit a wall trying to access crucial public information? Get ready for a game-changing adventure through Kentucky's Open Records law that will transform how you build your cases! This high-energy, hands-on session will equip attorneys and investigators with the perfect blend of legal knowledge and investigative techniques to turn frustrating roadblocks into information goldmines. You'll learn to craft irresistible record requests, challenge denials with compelling appeals, and navigate the sometimes mysterious world of public information access in the Commonwealth.

Bring your toughest cases and most challenging scenarios—we'll tackle them together with practical solutions you can implement immediately. Our dynamic presenters will share insider tips that strengthen the critical attorney-investigator partnership, the backbone of effective case building in today's complex legal landscape. The collaborative approach mirrors what makes legal teams successful: strategic thinking and shared expertise focused on achieving concrete results.

This session is just the beginning! Part 2, "Unveiling Justice: Navigating Kentucky's Open Records Law and Strategic Discovery Tactics in Criminal Cases," will complete your toolkit, teaching you how to masterfully strengthen criminal defense strategies while fulfilling ethical obligations. Come curious, leave confident—with real-world strategies that work. Your next successful records request—and the seamless collaboration between legal expertise and investigative skill that defines exceptional case outcomes—starts here!


Speakers
avatar for Stephen Bratcher

Stephen Bratcher

Public Advocate Investigator III, Department of Public Advocacy
Stephen serves as the Public Advocate Investigator for the Glasgow Trial Office, where he leverages his background in criminal justice and investigation. With academic foundations in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University and both Criminal Justice and Business Administration... Read More →
avatar for Melanie Lowe

Melanie Lowe

Deputy Public Advocate, Department of Public Advocacy
Melanie Lowe was raised in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of steelworkers. She became the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and English from Marshall University. She went on to receive her J.D... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

District to circuit appeals: You got this!
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
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.
Speakers
CK

Christopher (Kit) Thurman

Staff Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Christopher (Kit) Thurman: Kit has over ten years of experience in public defense. From 2014 to 2024, he represented indigent clients at the Louisville Metro Public Defenders office, first as a trial attorney until 2018 then as an appellant attorney. Following the closing of the Louisville... Read More →
JH

Jennifer Hubbard

Assistant Appellate Defenders, Department of Public Advocacy
Jennifer (Jenn) Hubbard: Jenn has almost 7 years of experience in public defense. From 2018 to 2024, she represented indigent clients at the Louisville Metro Public Defenders Office, first as a trial attorney, until she transitioned to an appellate attorney in 2022. Following the... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

11:00am EDT

Featured Session: Bruce Bryan
Tuesday June 3, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Ballrooms 1-2
After spending nearly 30 years behind bars, Bryan was granted clemency in December 2022 and released on April 24. Bryan now works for the Queens Public Defender Office as a client advocate. He speaks nationally on the “excessive violence” that he endured daily in prison daily and how the prison library became his sanctuary, where he spent time studying law and reading. Bryan credits Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” with changing his life. “That’s when I decided I wasn’t going to serve time, I was going to have time serve me,” he said. “Every bit of my time I began to utilize in the best way possible.” In this session Mr. Bryan will talk about his experiences in prison, how they shaped him, and how we can use his teachings to better serve our clients.
Speakers
BB

Bruce Bryan

I am Bruce Bryan. At 23, I was wrongfully convicted and spent 29 years in New York's maximum-security prisons. My conviction stemmed from a corrupt prosecutor's actions and a flawed investigation. During my incarceration, I chose to transform my life through education and advocacy... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Ballrooms 1-2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  General

12:00pm EDT

Lunch Provided & Affinity Groups
Tuesday June 3, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Ballroom 3
Affinity groups are a great way to meet new people around common interests! Grab a lunch and chat with new friends.

Position-Based Affinity Groups (required)
  1. All investigators with Holly Harrison-Hawkins
  2. All ASWs with Dawn Gasser

Interest-Based Affinity Groups (optional)
  1. Police Misconduct/Selective Enforcement
  2. Immigration
  3. Tech
  4. DEI
  5. Forensics
  6. Mental Health
Tuesday June 3, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  General

1:30pm EDT

ADHD, Race, and the School to Prison Pipeline
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
You’ve heard about the School-to-Prison pipeline: disproportionately Black and Brown youth are funneled out of schools and into the juvenile legal system because racism and biases about behavior lead to suspensions, increasing the risk of juvenile system contact. But there is another, less visible School-to-Prison pipeline: untreated ADHD symptoms are interpreted as behavioral problems that lead to suspensions, also increasing the risk of juvenile system contact. The compound effects of these pipelines mean that Black children with ADHD are more likely to be caught in the School-to-Prison pipeline. This presentation covers a primer on ADHD, racial disparities in ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and tips for practitioners in working more effectively with child and adult clients with ADHD, many of whom have experienced the harms of the School-to-Prison pipeline.
Speakers
avatar for Shaleesa Clayton

Shaleesa Clayton

Alternative Sentencing Worker, Department of Public Advocacy
Shaleesa Clayton is an alternative sentencing working in the Frankfort Trial Office. In 2011 she earned her degree in Sociology with a Criminology minor from Western Kentucky University. Soon after graduation, Shaleesa began her career in state government beginning with Probation... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Aagard

Sarah Aagard

Staff Attorney III, Department of Public Advocacy
Sarah Aagard is a Staff Attorney in the Lexington South Trial Office and an alum of the Frankfort and Hopkinsville Trial Offices. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Sarah worked in union and community organizing in the Southwest for several years after college before attending... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

1:30pm EDT

Complex Medical Cases
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Ballroom 3
This presentation will consider the purposes of a forensic autopsy or case review, focusing on cases in which the original forensic pathologist / medical examiner or other expert made a non-evidence-based diagnosis without scientific foundation, thereby catalyzing criminal charges. In many of these cases, simple searches of readily available forensic literature, much of it in well-known book or journal form on most MEs shelves, could have prevented the defendant’s travails. The presentation will extrapolate from these cases to touch upon commonly encountered errors, confirmation biases, the logical fallacy of post hoc ergo proper hoc, as well as basic medical and forensic principles to which all forensic scientists should adhere and be examined upon in criminal or civil proceedings. To quote Saukko and Knight: “over-interpretation […] regrettably still leads to instances of miscarriage of justice.” We will also hear from counsel, discussing =how best to work with your retained medical expert, such as a forensic pathologist, not only in preparing your defense, but also in crafting and conducting your cross examination of the State’s pathologist and it’s other medical experts. Whitney will discuss how not retaining an expert or working effectively with your expert at the trial stage can affect your client’s case at appeal and post-conviction stages.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Gregory Davis

Dr. Gregory Davis

Forensic Pathologist and Former Kentucky Associate Chief Medical Examiner, University of Kentucky
After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky, Greg Davis obtained the MD degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, whereupon he returned to Kentucky for a clinical internship at the University of Louisville. After Anatomic and Clinical... Read More →
avatar for Whitney Allen

Whitney Allen

KIP Staff Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Whitney Allen graduated from the University of Kentucky’s College of Law in 2018. She joined DPA’s Post-Conviction Branch in 2018 and moved into her role as a staff attorney with the Kentucky Innocence Project in 2019. She currently litigates post-conviction innocence claims... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

1:30pm EDT

Getting the Most Out of Your First DUI Trial
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
DUI cases are often among the first that newer attorneys will take to trial. How can you make sure you are prepared? This session will go over the essentials that every attorney must know before taking their first DUI case to trial. We will cover important pretrial motions, effective cross-examination techniques, case law to have on hand for making valid objections, and the best arguments for some of the most challenging issues that commonly arise in DUI cases.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Riggs

Aaron Riggs

Staff Attorney Supervisor, Department of Public Advocacy
Aaron Riggs is the Supervising Attorney for the Frankfort Post-Conviction Office, Unit B. A life-long Kentuckian, he attended the University of Louisville for both his undergraduate and law degrees, graduating from the Brandeis School of Law in 2016. While in law school, he was an... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

1:30pm EDT

Legislative Update 2025
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Ballroom 1
In this session we will discuss all bills that passed in the 2025 legislative session that will impact public defender clients and employees. We'll also discuss the status of long-term criminal justice reform efforts and the prospects of reform legislation in 2026.
Speakers
avatar for Damon Preston

Damon Preston

Public Advocate, Department of Public Advocacy
Damon Preston has worked as a public defender for 31 years and is Kentucky’s Public Advocate. After graduating from Transylvania University and Harvard Law School, Damon began his legal career as a public defender in New York City with the Legal Aid Society. He returned to Kentucky... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Ballroom 1 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

1:30pm EDT

Tackling Transfer as a Team
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
In this session, we will dive into the world of working on a youthful offender case and how to effectively work as a team to build the best case for your child client facing serious consequences if they are transferred to adult court.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Holt

Emily Holt

Staff Attorney III, Department of Public Advocacy
Emily Holt began her career with the LaGrange Trial Office as a Staff Attorney in May 2021. She spent 2024 in Paducah assisting with staffing shortages before transitioning to the Juvenile Post Disposition Branch. From the start of her time with the public defender’s office, Emily... Read More →
avatar for Kenny Dial

Kenny Dial

Special Investigator, Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
Kenny Dial was born in Frankfort and raised in Lawrenceburg, Ky. He has award winning experience with the US Marines and as a first responder at Bluegrass Army Depot. He earned a bachelor’s in Justice and Public Safety Administration with Sullivan University in 2016. Kenny began... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

1:30pm EDT

Telling the Story of Use Disorders and Mental Health
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Ballroom 2
Many of our cases involve mental health, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. During this session we will discuss how to tell the story of mental health so that the fact-finder can truly see our clients as individuals in need of support. In this session we will discuss the various ways to gather information on mental health and how to present mental health arguments in a persuasive manner.
Speakers
avatar for Lorinda Youngcourt

Lorinda Youngcourt

Senior Litigator, Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington & Idaho
Lorinda Youngcourt has represented capital and non-capital clients in trial, direct appeal, state post-conviction, and federal habeas corpus as a public defender and in private practice. She is a National Criminal Defense College faculty member. She is a member of the Board of Directors... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Ballroom 2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

1:30pm EDT

Unveiling Justice: Navigating Kentucky's Open Records Law and Strategic Discovery Tactics in Criminal Cases
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11
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.
Speakers
avatar for Stephen Bratcher

Stephen Bratcher

Public Advocate Investigator III, Department of Public Advocacy
Stephen serves as the Public Advocate Investigator for the Glasgow Trial Office, where he leverages his background in criminal justice and investigation. With academic foundations in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University and both Criminal Justice and Business Administration... Read More →
avatar for Melanie Lowe

Melanie Lowe

Deputy Public Advocate, Department of Public Advocacy
Melanie Lowe was raised in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of steelworkers. She became the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and English from Marshall University. She went on to receive her J.D... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

2:45pm EDT

Building Collaborative Teams on Serious Felony Cases
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
Every member of a defense team plays a vital role in providing effective representation to our clients, but we have to work together for the best outcomes. In this session, we will review characteristics of cases that create levels of complexity. We will review both universal best practices and DPA specific policies designed to strengthen interpersonal working relationships on individual teams, within our offices, and across the agency.
Speakers
avatar for Lorinda Youngcourt

Lorinda Youngcourt

Senior Litigator, Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington & Idaho
Lorinda Youngcourt has represented capital and non-capital clients in trial, direct appeal, state post-conviction, and federal habeas corpus as a public defender and in private practice. She is a National Criminal Defense College faculty member. She is a member of the Board of Directors... Read More →
avatar for Holly Harrison Hawkins

Holly Harrison Hawkins

Investigative Services Program Supervisor, Department of Public Advocacy
Holly joined DPA in 2017 as an Investigator with Post-Conviction. She became the Investigative Services Program Supervisor in the Fall of 2023. Prior the DPA, Holly worked for the Department of Corrections for 6 years, including nearly 5 years as a Probation/Parole Officer. Originally... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:45pm EDT

Creative Ways to Present Argument in PC and Direct Appeals
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
Persuasive advocacy in postconviction and direct appeals require advocates to tell their client's story of injustice. This session will explore creative ways to tell our clients' stories to maximize their chances for relief.
Speakers
avatar for Melinda Pendergraph

Melinda Pendergraph

Training Director, Missouri Public Defender
Melinda Pendergraph is Training Director for the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office, serving in that capacity since 2011. She has worked in the Missouri Public Defender’s Office since 1986. During that time, Melinda primarily handled death penalty appeals in the Missouri... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:45pm EDT

Strangulation: Focus on Witnesses
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Ballroom 2
In this session we will do a deep dive into the cross of the Government’s witnesses and direct of defense witnesses in a strangulation trial. This will include a discussion on how to challenge  pseudo-science and medical testimony. We will also explore how to elicit strong stories of non-guilt through storytelling in direct examination of the defense witnesses.
Speakers
avatar for Jeb Dennis

Jeb Dennis

Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Jeb Dennis practices out of the DPA Bowling Green North Trial Office. He is from Cranford, New Jersey. Jeb moved to Durham, North Carolina to attend Duke University School of Law. Throughout his time at Duke, he was honored with the Pro Bono All Star Award for logging the most pro... Read More →
LC

Lewis Collins

Staff Attorney II, DPA
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Ballroom 2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:45pm EDT

Working with a Mitigation Specialist in a Non-Capital Case
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11
This session is designed to give defense teams ideas in which to utilize a mitigation specialist in non -capital cases, including but not limited to focused areas of investigation and how to work with your judge to obtain Chapter 31 funding.
Speakers
avatar for Cara Venning

Cara Venning

Mitigation Specialist, Venning and Associates, LLC
Cara is a capital mitigation specialist with several years' experience working in public defense settings. Cara has spent her legal career working with capital defense teams, helping to serve indigent clients facing the death penalty.
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:45pm EDT

Working with our Veterans to Address Their Treatment Needs
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
Session will include the importance of identifying Veterans who are coming into the legal system. Will discuss the unique issues that impact Veterans and how these issues can contribute to interactions within the legal system. Finally, will discuss treatment options available to assist justice involved Veterans.
Speakers
KV

Kathy Vasquez

Kathy Vasquez graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Masters Of Social Work Degree in December, 1993. In 1998, Kathy earned her LCSW.Prior to coming to the VA Health Care System, Kathy worked in community mental health and had a private practice for several years.Kathy joined... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:45pm EDT

You Was Doing 55 in a 54: Defending Complex Drug Cases
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Ballroom 1
Creative motion practice, the art of suppression and sentencing mitigation for complex drug cases.
Speakers
JR

Justin Rosas

Justin Rosas received his JD from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law and
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Ballroom 1 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

2:45pm EDT

Invisible Disabilities: The Not-So-Obvious Conditions and the Obviously-Needed Dialogue
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Ballroom 3
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.
Speakers
avatar for Cheyla Bush

Cheyla Bush

Assistant General Counsel, Department of Public Advocacy
Cheyla Bush earned her law degree from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Louisville. Cheyla began her legal career in 2014 as a summer intern with the Department of Public Advocacy... Read More →
JE

Jeff Edwards

Director of Protection and Advocacy, Department of Public Advocacy
Jeff Edwards has served Kentuckians with disabilities at Protection and Advocacy since 1996. His appointment as director was in 2014. He was the program coordinator for the PADD, PATBI and PAVA grants. While at Kentucky P&A, his focus has been the overmedication of children in psychiatric... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

4:00pm EDT

Brady Violations: Are We Holding Our System Accountable?
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom 2
The presentation will include discussion of the state and federal law about Brady violations and what must be proven by defense counsel at both levels. The presentation will also cover the ethical obligations of prosecutors in terms of disclosure of Brady material and prosecutors obligations as to evidence held by others, such as law enforcement, and any ethical obligations defense counsel has to obtain Brady material they believe to be in existence and not provided. Lastly, the presentation will cover consequences which can be requested for defense counsel if a Brady violation has occurred.
Speakers
avatar for Whitney True Lawson

Whitney True Lawson

Attorney
Whitney True Lawson is a partner with the firm True Guarnieri Ayer, LLP in Frankfort, Kentucky, concentrating in the areas of criminal defense, at both the state and federal level, domestic relations, and administrative law. Whitney also practices at the appellate level in both state... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom 2 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

4:00pm EDT

Defending DNA Cases at Trial
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom 1
Gain an understanding of DNA evidence, how it is acquired and generated by a crime lab analyst and how to use or defend against it at trial, including recent developments and challenges to the probabilistic genotyping software STRmix. Will include some discussion of recent academic research by forensic scientists that can be useful to your defense. In addition, discussion of prosecution efforts to circumvent Smith v. Arizona's confrontation clause prohibition against surrogate analyst testimony.
Speakers
JB

Jerry Buting

Jerome F. Buting is a partner in the Brookfield, Wisconsin law firm of Buting, Williams & Stilling, S.C. He received his undergraduate degree in Forensic Studies from Indiana University and his law degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. He is a past board director... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom 1 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

4:00pm EDT

Immigration Update 2025
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom 3
Immigration law has drastically changed since January 2025, this session will provide an overview of all of the changes and how they intersect with criminal defense practice.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Jones

Emily Jones

Legal Director, New Americans Initiative
Emily Jones is the Legal Director of New Americans Initiative (NAI). Prior to joining NAI, Emily worked as the Senior Immigration Attorney at Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) in Lexington. For over a decade, Emily has focused on the practice of humanitarian and family-based immigration... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Ballroom 3 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

4:00pm EDT

Kentucky Sentencing 101
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
This session will provide a basic understanding of how sentencing laws in Kentucky work, including scenarios for the audience to see sentencing laws in action. The audience will learn the key statutes and cases attorneys should be consulting when advising clients and common pitfalls to avoid. By the end of the session, the audience should be familiar with how to determine a client's maximum exposure in a single case, maximum exposure across multiple cases, probation eligibility, and parole eligibility.
Speakers
AM

Alyson McDavitt

Directing Attorney, BG North, Department of Public Advocacy
Alyson McDavitt has been an attorney with DPA since 2008, when she started as a Staff I attorney in the Glasgow Trial Office but transferred to the Bowling Green Trial Office in 2011. She became Directing Attorney in Bowling Green in January 2022, and she has been the Directing Attorney... Read More →
avatar for Jason Pfeil

Jason Pfeil

Staff Attorney III, Department of Public Advocacy
Jason J. Pfeil is a 1999 graduate of Marquette University Law School. He has been employed with DPA since 2001, serving clients in many trial offices in the Western and Central Regions of the DPA. Jason is currently assigned to the Bowling Green North Trial Office. Jason is a graduate... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

4:00pm EDT

Kentucky's Forensic Healthcare System
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
Discussion regarding the state healthcare continuum for forensic patients including the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, Seth's Law, jail-based programming, forensic assertive community treatment, and future planning.
Speakers
ML
KS

Koleen Slusher

Facility Director, Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC)
Dr. Koleen Rowland Slusher, LCSW, serves as the hospital director at Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC), which operates under the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) as Kentucky’s sole forensic psychiatric hospital... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

4:00pm EDT

The Language and Advocacy of Use Disorders: Holding onto Humanity Through Setbacks
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11
In one room people are told 'relapse is part of recovery'. In another their told there is "no excuse" and that court orders are court orders. Attorneys must be zealous advocates for their clients. We will discuss language and strategy to make sure defense teams feel empowered to meet that standard.
Speakers
avatar for Leann Kane

Leann Kane

Alternative Sentencing Worker, Department of Public Advocacy
Leann Kane Alternative Sentencing Worker II Leann received her Master’s degree in social work from Northern Kentucky University in 2016. During graduate school, Leann interned with the Covington Trial office at DPA. After graduating, Leann worked in the community mental health field... Read More →
BD

Brian Davis

Staff Attorney II, Department of Public Advocacy
Brian Davis is a Staff Attorney II for the Department of Public Advocacy’s Covington Trial Office. 
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10-11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

4:00pm EDT

Ethics of Crucial Conversations on Teams
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
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.
Speakers
avatar for Cara Lane Cape

Cara Lane Cape

Executive Staff Advisor, Department of Public Advocacy
Cara Lane Cape is the Executive Staff Advisor at the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA). Ms. Cape received both a BSW and a Master of Social Work from Campbellsville University. Ms. Cape began her career at Protection and Permanency in Grayson County, where she was chief investigator... Read More →
SC

Stephanie Corum

Supervising Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Stephanie Corum is Supervising Attorney in the Nicholasville Trial Office. Stephanie began her career in Illinois where she was a public defender for 13 years where she won an acquittal in a heavily media covered animal cruelty case where a puppy was put in an oven. In 2021, after... Read More →
avatar for Robin Rawlins

Robin Rawlins

Department of Public Advocacy
Robin Rawlins began her career with the Louisville Metro Public Defender’s Office as a criminal defense investigator in February 2013. She was appointed to the position of Investigation Division Chief in 2018. In June 2019, she was awarded the Department of Advocacy’s Rosa Parks... Read More →
Tuesday June 3, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics
 
Wednesday, June 4
 

8:30am EDT

Advanced Sentencing: Sex Offenses
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
Some of the most complex questions regarding sentencing law in Kentucky revolve around sentencing in sex offense cases. To figure out the proper sentencing in a sex offense case might require consulting at least five different statutes involving not only sentence lengths and probation eligibility, but violent offender, registration eligibility, SOTP and postincarceration supervision as well. This is an update of a presentation last offered in 2022.
Speakers
avatar for Glenn McClister

Glenn McClister

Staff Attorney, Education, Strategic Planning and Recruitment Division, Department of Public Advocacy
Glenn McClister is a Staff Attorney with DPA’s Education, Strategic Planning and Recruitment Division. Glenn received his J.D. from the University of Kentucky in 1997, and for nine years worked as an Assistant Public Advocate in Somerset, Kentucky, handling over 400 cases per year... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Identifying and Litigating Fresh Issues in Criminal Law
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
This session will be an interactive session where we discuss new laws, emerging issues in the criminal law world, and fresh argument to make at the trial level and beyond.
Speakers
SB

Steven Buck

Staff Attorney Supervisor, Department of Public Advocacy
Steve Buck is a Staff Attorney Supervisor with the Department of Public Advocacy's Appeals Branch. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law and Kalamazoo College.
JW

Jennifer Wade

Staff Attorney III, Department of Public Advocacy
Jennifer Wade was born in Oak Park, IL. She lived and worked in education in Philadelphia before attending UK law school. Jennifer joined the DPA Appeals division in 2020.
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Suspicious Minds: Investigating and Litigating Mental Health in Complex Cases
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 11
This session will provide an overview of the common (and less common) mental health considerations in complex cases. We will review how those mental health issues appear in our cases, how we can investigate them further, and then use discovered information to best serve our clients.
Speakers
CG

Catalina Goodwin

Catalina L.C. Goodwin is a state and federal criminal defense trial and appellate attorney with experience in a wide range of criminal offenses and corresponding professional licensure issues. She is an active member in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Tennessee... Read More →
SR

Stephen Ross Johnson

Stephen Ross Johnson has defended criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States, ranging from complex white-collar financial crimes to death penalty cases. He is a partner with Ritchie, Johnson & Stovall, P.C., and is a criminal defense trial and appellate... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

8:30am EDT

Back to the Future Part I: Finding the Information About Our Clients’ Pasts to Make a Difference in Our Clients’ Futures
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
During this session, participants will learn strategies and techniques to incorporate the client’s story into a compelling mitigation argument throughout the second phase of a non-capital trial or sentencing hearing. Rules 1.1 and 1.3 require that we are competent and diligent and thus we must zealously represent our clients even after a guilty verdict. By using interview and investigatory techniques we can uncover stories of our client’s past and present that can be crafted into a compelling mitigation story to help a judge and/or a jury to believe our clients deserves a brighter future.
Speakers
SW

Shanda West-Stiles

Southern Region Manager, Department of Public Advocacy
Shanda West-Stiles graduated from the Paul M. Hebert Law School at Louisiana State University. She joined DPA in 1999 as a staff attorney in the Columbia Trial Office where she later became the Directing Attorney. She was awarded the 2017 Gideon Award for demonstrating extraordinary... Read More →
avatar for Bethany Steenbergen

Bethany Steenbergen

Alternative Sentencing Worker III, Department of Public Advocacy
Bethany Steenbergen has been an Alternative Sentencing worker III in the Glasgow Trial Office since 2019. In 2011, she earned her degree in Human services and counseling from Lindsey Wilson College. She started her career at Rivendell, working with youth experiencing issues related... Read More →
avatar for Holly Harrison Hawkins

Holly Harrison Hawkins

Investigative Services Program Supervisor, Department of Public Advocacy
Holly joined DPA in 2017 as an Investigator with Post-Conviction. She became the Investigative Services Program Supervisor in the Fall of 2023. Prior the DPA, Holly worked for the Department of Corrections for 6 years, including nearly 5 years as a Probation/Parole Officer. Originally... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

8:30am EDT

Trial and Post Trial Collaborating to Deliver Excellent Client-Centered Representation: The Duty of Loyalty to Our Clients
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10
DPA values delivering excellent client-centered representation. This core value overlaps the Trial and Post Trial Divisions and unites us in advocating for our clients to be treated fairly and receive a just result which is grounded in the facts and law of their cases. This commitment grows out of the duty of loyalty we have to our clients. This session will:
• Celebrate examples of collaboration that produced positive outcomes for clients.
• Examine the ethical rules and standards of practice that provide the foundation for this collaboration. SCR 3.130(1.6) confidentiality, (1.9) former client, (1.5) safekeeping property; ABA Criminal Justice Standards for the Defense Function Standards 4-1.2 (functions and duties of Defense Counsel), 4-1.3 (continued duty of defense counsel), 4-3.7 (Prompt and thorough actions to protect the client), 4-3.9 (duty to keep client informed and advised about the representation), 4-4.1 (duty to investigate and engage investigators), 4-4.4 (relationship with expert witnesses), 4-5.1 (advising the client), 4-5.2 (control and direction of the case).
• Explain how this collaboration functions in a post conviction proceeding.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Beard

Jessica Beard

Directing Attorney, LaGrange Trial, Department of Public Advocacy
Jessica Beard graduated from Transylvania University in 2011 and received her JD from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2014. Jessica began working for the Department of Public Advocacy as an intern for the Capital Trial Branch in the summer of 2012 and interned for the... Read More →
SP

Samuel Potter

Manager, Post Conviction Branch, Department of Public Advocacy
Samuel N. Potter graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a B.A. in economics in 2000 and earned his J.D. from Brandeis Law School at the University of Louisville in 2003. He began working for DPA as a law clerk in 2002 and accepted a full time position in the Appeals Branch... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

9:45am EDT

HB 5 Implementation and Litigation
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
DOC has implemented HB 5 by retroactively changing parole eligibility based on the sentencing date, rather than the offense date. This session will discuss DOC's decision, and statewide attempts to address the issue through litigation. Issues will include status of current litigation, advice to give clients who may be affected by DOC's decision, and what can be done for clients who have already been sentenced and found upon arrival at DOC that their parole eligibility has been enhanced unexpectedly.
Speakers
avatar for Tim Arnold

Tim Arnold

Attorney, Appeals Branch, Department of Public Advocacy
Tim Arnold graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, IL, in 1993, and from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1996. After joining the bar, Tim started as an attorney in the Juvenile Post Dispositional Branch of DPA in the Frankfort office, and served as the Branch Manager... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Sex, Lies, and Social Media: Defense Subpoenas and the Stored Communications Act
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
In today’s digital world we all need to be well versed in how to access digital evidence, including social media. In this session we will do a deep dive into how to obtain information (and block information) using the discovery rules, subpoenas, and the stored communication act.
Speakers
CG

Catalina Goodwin

Catalina L.C. Goodwin is a state and federal criminal defense trial and appellate attorney with experience in a wide range of criminal offenses and corresponding professional licensure issues. She is an active member in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Tennessee... Read More →
SR

Stephen Ross Johnson

Stephen Ross Johnson has defended criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout the United States, ranging from complex white-collar financial crimes to death penalty cases. He is a partner with Ritchie, Johnson & Stovall, P.C., and is a criminal defense trial and appellate... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Using the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria for Level of Care Assessment
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 11
Discuss collecting information for each of the six ASAM dimensions using the assessment tool and using the information from that assessment to assign a severity rating score for each dimension. Review using all dimension rankings as a whole to make a recommendation for appropriate level of care and setting for each client.
Speakers
CJ

Charles Jones

Alternative Sentencing Worker III, Department of Public Advocacy
Charles Jones received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from The University of Akron and his Ph.D. from Kent State University. He spent 25 years teaching in Higher Education and is the recipient of three Fulbright-Hays Group Study Abroad Program grants for the... Read More →
Using the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria, for Client Placement pptx
ASAM continuum of care docx
ASAM criteria dimensions docx
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

9:45am EDT

Back to the Future Part II: Presenting a Compelling Story of Mitigation to Judges and Juries for Clients
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
So, the verdict we did not want has happened and we are standing before the same jury…. now what? KRS 532.055 provides that a sentencing phase will commence. Are we ready? Pursuant to Rule 1.1 and 1.3 we have a duty to our clients to fully represent them during the penalty phase of the trial and at final sentencing before a judge. Our advocacy is necessary to ensure that judges and juries know our clients are more than a convicted person and that a sentence is more than a number on a page. In this session participants will learn to seize these opportunities to argue for leniency. We will discuss how to creatively present evidence that will tell clients stories about the past and present while highlighting sentence implications on their futures.
Speakers
SW

Shanda West-Stiles

Southern Region Manager, Department of Public Advocacy
Shanda West-Stiles graduated from the Paul M. Hebert Law School at Louisiana State University. She joined DPA in 1999 as a staff attorney in the Columbia Trial Office where she later became the Directing Attorney. She was awarded the 2017 Gideon Award for demonstrating extraordinary... Read More →
SC

Samantha Costello

Directing Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Samntha Costello is the Directing Attorney of the Columbia Trial Office for the Department of Public Advocay.
MM

Meghan Moorhouse

Staff Attorney II, Department of Public Advocacy
Meghan (Meg) Moorhouse graduated from The Catholic University Columbus School of Law in 2021 and began her work as a private criminal defense attorney in Washington, D.C.. In 2023, she moved to Kentucky to become a public defender and is currently a Staff Attorney II at the Louisville... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

9:45am EDT

Rocket Docket: What It Is and How to Do It Right
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10
The rocket docket presents a tricky ethical dilemma to criminal defense attorneys: Advise your client whether to accept a plea agreement in a case that you know very little about. This session will teach the audience how the rocket docket program is currently being implemented across the state and advises attorneys about best practices when handling cases that are being pushed through the system at a faster rate than normal. This session is an ethics session. The ethical rules that will be addressed are SCR 3.130(1.1), SCR 3.130(1.2), SCR 3.130(1.4), SCR 3.130(2.1), and NLADA Guidelines 4.1 and 6.3.
Speakers
AM

Alyson McDavitt

Directing Attorney, BG North, Department of Public Advocacy
Alyson McDavitt has been an attorney with DPA since 2008, when she started as a Staff I attorney in the Glasgow Trial Office but transferred to the Bowling Green Trial Office in 2011. She became Directing Attorney in Bowling Green in January 2022, and she has been the Directing Attorney... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

11:00am EDT

Crimmigration 101
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9
Our session will give a brief overview of crimmigration--the intersection of criminal and immigration law. The session will touch upon the ethical implications, strategies, and includes a focus on Kentucky offenses. We hope that DPA attorneys come away with a working knowledge of some of the core concepts.
Speakers
DB

Duffy B. Trager

Duffy is a seasoned immigration attorney with a deep commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations. With extensive experience representing clients before Immigration Courts, USCIS, ICE, and U.S. consulates, Duffy has successfully handled a wide array of complex immigration cases... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Carmona

Rachel Carmona

Attorney, Rachel Carmona Law Firm
Rachel E. Carmona, founder of Carmona Law, is a Louisville native. She attended Rhodes College and studied abroad in Morelia, Mexico and Havana, Cuba. She went to University of Louisville Law and studied international trade law at la Universidad Autónoma in Guadalajara, México... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 9 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

11:00am EDT

Teamwork: Learning from the Columbia Shuttle Disaster
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14
Criminal defense teams made up of talented attorneys and investigators frequently struggle to get optimum performance from their teams, suffering from seemingly minor issues that are common to teams in organizations of all types. The Columbia Shuttle disaster in 2003 is an example of how overlooking these problems can lead to catastrophic consequences. In this session we will examine some of these issues highlighted in the docuseries "Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight" and discuss how teams can overcome these issues to create a cohesive team and get the best possible outcome for their client.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Shoemaker

Jessica Shoemaker

Criminal Defense Investigator, Inquisitor, Inc.
Jessica Paris Shoemaker is a criminal defense investigator with the Nashville branch of Inquisitor, Inc. Prior to joining Inquisitor, Jessica was a fact investigator with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy from 2010-2018, first in the Cynthiana Trial office and then at Capital... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 14 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

11:00am EDT

Using the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria Results in Criminal Defense
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 11
This session reviews the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria and what they reveal about a client's condition regarding substance use and co-occurring disorders. How this information is used in preparing a criminal defense case is then discussed.
Speakers
CJ

Charles Jones

Alternative Sentencing Worker III, Department of Public Advocacy
Charles Jones received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from The University of Akron and his Ph.D. from Kent State University. He spent 25 years teaching in Higher Education and is the recipient of three Fulbright-Hays Group Study Abroad Program grants for the... Read More →
avatar for Christopher Kippley

Christopher Kippley

Directing Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Christopher Kippley is the directing attorney of the DPA Maysville trial office. Graduating from NKU Chase College of Law in 2007, Christopher moved to Maysville from his hometown of Cincinnati to begin work with DPA in 2008. Christopher worked in a small litigation firm from 2012... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 11 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

11:00am EDT

Voir Dire in a Sexual-Based Offense Case
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13
Learn how to master Voir Dire in sex cases through planning and performance. Skills to enhance juror participation while prepping the panel for your case.
Speakers
GC

Greg Coulson

Attorney, Coulson Law Offices
Greg Coulson is the owner and sole practitioner of The Coulson Law Offices, PLLC. Prior to entering private practice, Greg was a trial attorney with the Department of Public Advocacy from 2010 until 2014, where he defended indigent persons accused in criminal prosecutions and civil... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 12-13 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507

11:00am EDT

Defending the Youngest Clients: Kids under 14
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10
This session will present a multi-pronged approach for defenders - including practical steps and handouts -to advocate for our youngest clients [under 14]. The ethical considerations for working with younger clients, with “diminished capacity” will also be addressed. Strategies heavily relying on the DPA Investigator and ASW are inherent to the overall defense success for these elementary and middle school students. Ethical rules referenced include: RPC 1.14: Client with Diminished Capacity & FORMAL ETHICS OPINION KBA E-440 and RPC 1.2: Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority between Client and Lawyer
Speakers
avatar for Laura Karem

Laura Karem

Attorney, Department of Public Advocacy
Laura A. Karem (J.D., University of Louisville - Brandeis School of Law) is currently the Staff Attorney Supervisor for the Juvenile Post Disposition Branch of KY DPA and a veteran attorney with over 17 years of experience in indigent defense. Previously, she was the directing attorney... Read More →
avatar for Emily Swintosky

Emily Swintosky

Investigator, Department of Public Advocacy
Emily Swintosky is the investigator for the Juvenile Post-Disposition Branch of DPA. She began her career as an intern with the Kentucky Innocence Project while attending the Criminal Justice Graduate Program at Eastern Kentucky University. After graduating in 2010, Emily served as... Read More →
Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Mtg. Rm. 10 Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  Ethics

12:15pm EDT

Awards Luncheon
Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Exhibit Hall 1A
Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Exhibit Hall 1A Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
  General
 
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