2026 Summer Public Defense Conference has ended

Create Your Own Event

2026 Summer Public Defense Conference

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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7:15am EDT

Georgia Center Hotel Shuttle Georgia Center Hotel Charter Bus Stop - Carlton Street

7:30am EDT

SpringHill Suites West Shuttle SpringHill Suites West

8:00am EDT

COFFEE & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST LAW SCHOOL CAFE

9:00am EDT

Defending the Frontlines: Wellbeing and Performance for Public Justice Professionals CLASSROOM J THIRD FLOORReinette Arnold, LCSW, MAC, CFVIP, CACTS Dignity as Strategy: Humanizing Clients in a Dehumanizing System CLASSROOM G THIRD FLOORImani Carter Attacking VOPs CLASSROOM F SECOND FLOORZachary Bowman Georgia Pardons & Paroles: Recent Updates and Practice Impacts CLASSROOM B FIRST FLOORLisa Copeland • Jacques Brown • Crystal Moon The Playbook for Winning a Gang Case CLASSROOM A FIRST FLOORShawn Hoover The Playbook for Winning a Gang Case (BROADCAST) CLASSROOM D, E, & HShawn Hoover Competency Proceedings/Trials in Capital Cases CLASSROOM I THIRD FLOORNathanial Studelska Chaos to Clarity: Managing Discovery Without Losing Your Mind CLASSROOM C SECOND FLOORCat Vachon

10:00am EDT

BREAK LAW SCHOOL ATRIUM

10:15am EDT

Order in the Court (Files): SharePoint for Case and Team Management CLASSROOM J THIRD FLOORVirginia Purdee • Joshua Brockington Taking JCATS to the Next Level: Practical Skills for Experienced Users CLASSROOM C SECOND FLOORSean Kean Cross Examining Law Enforcement in the Age of Bodycams & AI Enhanced Evidence CLASSROOM A FIRST FLOORDaryl Queen Cross Examining Law Enforcement in the Age of Bodycams & AI Enhanced Evidence (BROADCAST) CLASSROOM D, E, & HDaryl Queen Drug Dogs & Prolonged Stops: Who let the dogs out? CLASSROOM F SECOND FLOORKelly L. Turner Plea Negotiations CLASSROOM B FIRST FLOORAgis Bray III Seeing into the Future: What capital trial teams should know about direct appeals and habeas CLASSROOM I THIRD FLOORJohn Holdridge The Power of Partnership: How Public Defenders Can Help Shape Successful Juvenile Reentry Outcomes CLASSROOM G THIRD FLOORCathy Curry-Smith

11:15am EDT

BREAK LAW SCHOOL ATRIUM

11:25am EDT

Administrative Professionals Meetup - Best Practices CLASSROOM J THIRD FLOOR Rapid Response Teams: Deploying Resources to Circuits in Need CLASSROOM F SECOND FLOORJoy Walker Am I doing this right? Understanding Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, common complaints and understanding how knowing what is expected can improve your practice of criminal defense. CLASSROOM B FIRST FLOORVictor Mireles Not So Fast: Using Interlocutory Appeals to Protect Your Client CLASSROOM A FIRST FLOORSara Maier • Penny Hunter Not So Fast: Using Interlocutory Appeals to Protect Your Client CLASSROOMS D & E (SECOND FLOOR)Penny Hunter • Sara Maier How to Recognize Mental Health Issues in Your Client: Is he/she mentally ill or just mean (or both)? And...what then CLASSROOM I THIRD FLOORDr. Adriana Flores How Social Media Effects Our Cases CLASSROOM C SECOND FLOORDoug Belisle

11:45am EDT

Georgia Center Hotel Shuttle UGA Main Library Bus Stop - Jackson Street

12:00pm EDT

SpringHill Suites West Shuttle UGA Main Library Bus Stop - Jackson Street

12:25pm EDT

Closing Remarks Classrooms A, D, E & H

3:15pm EDT

Georgia Center Hotel Shuttle