Agenda Faculty Hotel Exhibitor/Sponsor Scholarships Pricing Register Online
Presented in cooperation with NACDL and Victor Sherman, there is nothing else like this ultimate networking and CLE event for the criminal defense bar. Intended for both veteran and young lawyers, it is bar-none the best criminal defense seminar in the country set in the best ski town in Colorado.
Plan now for your family winter getaway in fantastic Aspen, CO, where you'll find a world-class skiing environment, unlimited daily activities for the kids, shopping, and restaurants that rival any place in the world, AND.... an unparalleled CLE with a star-studded faculty discussing the latest topics and trends!
Agenda
The program agenda and faculty are subject to change.
| Sunday, January 25, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 pm | Opening Reception - Featuring Remarks by NACDL President Andrew Birrell (Minneapolis, MN) |
| Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Early Registration, Breakfast, and Exhibits |
| 8:00-9:00 am | Strategic and Ethical Considerations of Having a Defendant Testify – Juval O. Scott (Bronx, NY) |
| 9:00-10:00 am | Views from the Bench on Current Legal Issue – Hon. Brian M. Hoffstadt, Presiding Justice, Division Five, Second District, California Court of Appeal |
| 10:00am-3:45pm | Free time for skiing and other activities in Aspen |
| 4:00-5:00 pm | Body Cameras: Can’t Live With ‘Em, Can’t Live Without ‘Em – Jennifer Sellitti (Trenton, NJ) |
| 5:00-6:00 pm | How to Win Your Case by Exploring Police Misconduct Pre-Trial – Deborah Levi (Baltimore, MD) |
| 6:00 pm | Adjourn for the Day |
| Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Breakfast and Exhibits |
| 8:00-10:00 am | SCOTUS & D.C. Update – Jeffrey L. Fisher (Stanford, CA) and Neal Katyal (Washington, DC) |
| 10:00am-3:45pm | Free time for skiing and other activities in Aspen |
| 4:00-5:00 pm | Mastering Cross-Examination Strategies for Control and Impact – Joseph Tacopina (New York, NY) |
| 5:00-6:00 pm | “He’s a Doctor; Not a Drug Dealer”: Challenging Government Efforts to Rewrite the Controlled Substance Act – Marci G. Labranche (Denver, CO) and John Richilano (Denver, CO) |
| 6:00 pm | Adjourn for the Day |
| 7:00 pm | Stephen Komie and Bruce Udolf Birthday Party |
| Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Breakfast and Exhibits |
| 8:00-9:00 am | Re-Thinking Jury Selection from the Inside Out in an Ever-Changing World – Denise de La Rue (Decatur, GA) |
| 9:00-10:00 am | Songs of Freedom: Making Your Client’s Story Sing at Sentencing – Timothy Zerillo (Portland, ME) |
| 10:00am-3:45pm | Free time for activities |
| 4:00-5:00 pm | Everyday Ethical Issues for Criminal Defense Lawyers – David Patton (New York, NY) |
| 5:00-6:00 pm | Tackling First Amendment Issues in Criminal Practice: How to Ethically Use Free Speech Rights as a Sword and a Shield – Rebecca Roiphe (New York, NY) |
| 6:00 pm | Conference Adjourns – SAVE THE DATE: January 31 - February 3, 2027 |
Faculty
- Denise de La Rue (Decatur, GA) *NACDL MEMBER
- Jeffrey L. Fisher (Stanford, CA) *NACDL MEMBER
- Hon. Brian M. Hoffstadt, Presiding Justice, Division Five, Second District, California Court of Appeal
- Neal Katyal (Washington, DC)
- Marci G. Labranche (Denver, CO) *NACDL MEMBER
- Deborah K. Levi (Baltimore, MD) *NACDL MEMBER
- David Patton (New York, NY) *NACDL MEMBER
- John M. Richilano (Denver, CO) *NACDL MEMBER
- Rebecca Roiphe (New York, NY)
- Juval O. Scott (Bronx, NY) *NACDL MEMBER
- Jennifer Sellitti (Trenton, NJ) *NACDL MEMBER
- Joseph Tacopina (New York, NY)
- Timothy Zerillo (Portland, ME) *NACDL MEMBER
Hotel
The majestic mountains of Aspen are home to some of the world’s finest skiing and teaching facilities. The St. Regis Aspen sits in the heart of the action. Ajax, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass Mountains, all just minutes away, offer a multitude of skiing delights. Whether you enjoy hitting the slopes or relaxing by the fire, Aspen will renew and invigorate your spirits. The St. Regis Aspen is the perfect setting to attend the educational session and still be on the slopes early in the day. And the mystical town of Aspen, with its exciting art galleries, intriguing crafts and shops, and world-class restaurants and cafes will have you dreaming of your next visit. Come enjoy this awe-inspiring “world’s best” winter resort town, and bring the family!
The St. Regis Aspen
315 E. Dean Street
Aspen, CO 81611
IMPORTANT RESERVATION INFORMATION:
You must be a registered attendee in order to secure a reservation at the hotel with NACDL's discounted group rate. All rooms in the discounted room block must be booked online using the booking link provided. There is a limitation of one room per paid seminar registrant using the discounted NACDL group rate.
RESERVE YOUR ROOM: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1746044811858&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true&app=resvlink
Sponsorship and Exhibits
Disclaimer: NACDL does not necessarily endorse or guarantee the quality, applicability, or discounts of the products and/or services of its exhibitors. Users of these products and/or services do so at their sole discretion and NACDL assumes no responsibility for them.
For information on exhibiting or sponsorships, please contact NACDL's Sales and Marketing Manager Jason Petty at jpetty@nacdl.org or call (202) 465-7637.
NACDL would like to thank the following sponsors, exhibitors, and affinity partners for their support and contributions:
PLATINUM Sponsor:
still available...
GOLD Sponsor:
still available...
SILVER Sponsor:
still available...
BRONZE Sponsor:
still available...
Thursday Night Reception Sponsor:
still available...
Wi-Fi Sponsor:
still available...
Seminar Materials Sponsor:
still available...
Lanyards Sponsor:
still available...
Tote Bag Sponsor:
still available...
Exhibitors -
still available...
Scholarships
Needs Based Scholarships
Based on need, scholarships are available to NACDL members for up to 50% off the standard seminar fee of $779. Approved recipients are responsible for the remainder of the tuition fee, which is $390. The reduced scholarship fee includes seminar tuition and a free download of the seminar written materials.Travel, hotel, and other costs are not included.
To Apply: Prepare and e-mail a letter of no more than two pages explaining the reason why you believe you should receive the grant to: NACDL Senior Director of Events Akvile Athanason, at aathanason@nacdl.org. All applications must be submitted before registering for the seminar and received by December 18, 2025.
NACDL MEMBERSHIP AND RESERVATION AT THE HOST HOTEL ARE REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR NEEDS-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS.
Pricing
Members of NACDL enjoy exclusive registration rates for our seminars along with all the benefits from joining.
| Registration Fees | |
|---|---|
| NACDL MEMBERS: Regular, Life, and Sustaining Members | $779 |
| ALL State & Federal Public Defenders, and Associate Members | $559 |
| Non-Members (includes 1 year membership) | $1109 |
| ALL California Lawyers (Residents Only) | $759 |
| Guest Events Only Packages (can only be purchased as an add-on with a fully paid seminar registration) | |
|---|---|
| Guest/Spouse Social Events Package (with Paid registrant) | $295 |
CANCELLATIONS: There is a $175 cancellation fee. Cancellations must be received in writing via e-mail to cancel@nacdl.org by 5:30 pm E.T. Friday, January 16 2026, to receive a refund, less the cancellation fee. No refunds can be issued after the cancellation deadline.
Code of Conduct
NACDL endeavors to foster a working, learning, and social environment free of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and insult. To that end, NACDL has adopted a Code of Conduct for Affiliated Persons that applies to all attendees and participants of any kind at all NACDL sponsored events.
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