GPDC’s Summer Public Defense Conference is almost here! We look forward to seeing you in Athens and hope you enjoy the conference. Please take a few minutes to review this entire message, as it includes important information about the schedule, parking, transportation, meals, and conference activities.
The conference will begin on Monday, July 20, at the UGA Chapel, a short walk from the UGA School of Law. Monday’s opening sessions will take place in the Chapel, followed by an afternoon session at the Law School.
On Tuesday morning, all attendees will gather again at the Chapel. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning will feature concurrent training sessions at the UGA School of Law, 225 Herty Drive, Athens, GA 30602.
CONFERENCE APP
To make the most of your conference experience, we encourage you to download the official Sched app. Sched provides notifications about schedule changes, session updates, and important announcements. You can also view the agenda, select sessions, and access materials as they become available.
AGENDA & MATERIALS
The agenda is available on the conference website here and on the app.
The first session will begin promptly at 1:20 PM on Monday, July 20, at the UGA Chapel. Please arrive early to pick up your conference badge and find a seat.
The Summer Conference will conclude at lunchtime on Wednesday, July 22.
Seating in classrooms is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sessions in Classrooms A and B will be professionally recorded and made available on demand after the conference. Other sessions may be recorded by staff and posted if the recording quality permits.
Conference materials will be posted in Sched. Some materials may not be available until after the conference at the request of the presenters.
NEED TO KNOW
SUNDAY
Hotel check-in will be available for attendees whose room assignments begin on Sunday. Please carefully review the check-in and check-out dates included in your hotel information.
MONDAY
Monday’s opening sessions will take place at the UGA Chapel. Attendees will then move to the UGA School of Law for the final session of the afternoon.
Badge pickup will be available outside the Chapel beginning at noon. Please allow enough time to pick up your badge and find a seat before the program begins promptly at 1:20 PM.
Please note that food and beverages are not permitted inside the UGA Chapel.
Check yourself into the conference via Sched by locating the “Conference Check-In” session on Monday’s schedule and clicking the “Check In” button.
Welcome packages will be distributed at the Law School following Monday’s Chapel sessions and throughout the remainder of the conference.
Lunch on Monday is on your own.
TUESDAY
Tuesday morning sessions will take place at the UGA Chapel. Attendees will move to the UGA School of Law for lunch and concurrent afternoon sessions.
SUMMER CONFERENCE RECEPTION
Please join us Tuesday evening from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Georgia Theatre for the Summer Conference Reception.
The evening will include:
- Presentation of the Justice Norman Fletcher Award
- Live music by Classic City Jukebox
- Light bites
- One complimentary drink ticket for the first 300 attendees to arrive
Interested in singing with the band? Sign up for karaoke here. Advance sign-up is encouraged, although limited on-site sign-ups may also be available.
The Georgia Theatre is located at 215 North Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30601. Transportation to and from the Georgia Theatre is not provided. The theatre is within walking distance of the Law School; attendees should plan accordingly.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday morning sessions will take place at the UGA School of Law. The Summer Conference will conclude at lunchtime.
Wednesday is REP YOUR U DAY. Show your school spirit by wearing apparel from your college or law school, whether it is your alma mater or your current institution. T-shirts, hoodies, caps, socks, and other school gear are welcome.
Be sure to take a photo and tag GPDC using #DefenderUniversity2026.
TILPP Part II: Trial Skills will begin promptly at 1:30 PM in Classroom A. TILPP attendees who are also attending the Summer Conference are excused from the Wednesday morning conference sessions, although they are welcome to attend.
Lunch will be available at 12:45 PM in the Law School Café for attendees participating in both the Summer Conference and TILPP.
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
TILPP Part II: Trial Skills will continue at the UGA School of Law through Friday, July 24.
GPDC will report approved CLE hours to the State Bar of Georgia following the conference.
Attorneys seeking CLE credit must verify their attendance by completing the online CLE form after the conference.
VENUES, PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
UGA Chapel and School of Law
The UGA Chapel and School of Law are located on North Campus. The North Campus Parking Deck provides convenient visitor parking. The deck’s main entrance is located at:
230 South Jackson StreetAthens, GA 30602
Additional paid parking is available on surrounding streets and in other UGA parking decks. State employees may submit eligible parking expenses through Concur.
Please contact [email protected] if you have a disability parking permit and need assistance identifying an accessible campus space.
Shuttles
Conference shuttles will operate between the campus and both the Georgia Center Hotel and SpringHill Suites West on Tuesday and Wednesday. Shuttle schedules are available in Sched.
WEATHER & WALKING
The conference includes walking between the UGA Chapel, School of Law, parking areas, and shuttle stops. Please check the forecast before traveling and bring an umbrella or other rain protection. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended.
ROOM TEMPERATURE
Temperatures may vary throughout the venues. Please dress accordingly and consider bringing a light sweater or jacket.
MEALS
- Monday: Lunch is on your own.
- Tuesday: A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided at the Law School.
- Wednesday: A continental breakfast will be provided at the Law School.
- Other meals are on your own unless otherwise indicated in Sched.
State employees may request reimbursement through Concur for eligible meals not provided as part of the conference.
REIMBURSEMENT
County employees: Please seek reimbursement through your respective county.
State employees: You must be registered for the conference to receive reimbursement. Submit eligible expenses through Concur in accordance with GPDC travel procedures. When completing your travel allowance, be sure to identify all meals provided during the conference.
Please contact [email protected] with questions about Concur or travel reimbursement.
HOTEL ASSIGNMENTS
Hotel assignment information was sent separately. Please review your assigned hotel and reservation dates carefully. Note that if you registered in Sched with a Gmail address or other personal email address, your hotel confirmation may be in your spam folder.
QUESTIONS
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
