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Criminal drug prosecutions are once again increasing and coming back with a force — the fight is on! If you defend persons accused of drug offenses, now is the time to sharpen your skills and prepare for battle in today’s increasingly complex criminal legal system.
Join NACDL in Las Vegas this October for the 19th Annual Defending Modern Drug Cases Seminar, an intensive, trial skills-focused program designed to give you a strategic edge from intake through sentencing. Learn cutting-edge techniques and proven practices from the nation’s leading criminal defense practitioners as they break down modern drug cases step by step and show you how to win them.
Over three immersive days, you’ll gain practical insights you can immediately put to work in your next case—while connecting with experienced defenders from across the country and building a powerful national referral network. It’s high-level training, real-world strategy, and invaluable networking, all in one of the most electric settings in the country.
Whether you’re a seasoned trial lawyer or gearing-up for your next major drug case, this seminar will elevate your practice and prepare you for success in the courtroom. Three days. Elite training. Unmatched networking. Las Vegas.
Don’t just get ready—get ahead!
Agenda
The program agenda and faculty are subject to change.
| Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 3:00-6:00 pm | Early Registration & Exhibit Hall Open |
| Thursday, October 22, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 11:30 am | Registration & Exhibit Hall Open |
| 1:45 pm | Welcome, Introductions, Announcements – NACDL President C. Missy Owen (Charlotte, NC), Drug Program Co-Chairs John Arrascada (Reno, NV), Carmen Roe (Houston, TX), Ian M. Wallach (Los Angeles, CA), and Tim Zerillo (Portland, ME) |
| 1:55 pm | Client Intake Interviews: The Start of a Wonderful Relationship – Steven B. Epstein (Garden City, NY) |
| 2:55 pm | Bail & Detention – Jennifer L. Falk (Dallas, TX) |
| 3:55 pm | Refreshment & Exhibitor Break |
| 4:10 pm | What’s New With RICO? – Catherine Turner (Minneapolis, MN) |
| 5:10 pm | The United States v. Hemani: Challenging the 2nd Amendment Ban on Drug Users – Zachary Newland (Evergreen, CO) |
| 6:10 pm | Drug Seminar Adjourns for the Day |
| 6:30 pm | Opening Reception – Sahara Las Vegas Hotel and Casino |
| Friday, October 23, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 1:00 pm | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 1:00 pm | Networking/Brainstorming Session |
| 2:00 pm | Pre-Trial Issues & Creative Motions – Michael P. Heiskell (Fort Worth, TX) |
| 3:00 pm | Preparing Your Cross-Examination for Snitches in Drug Cases – Erin K. Taylor (Charlotte, NC) |
| 4:00 pm | Refreshment & Exhibitor Break |
| 4:15 pm | Ethics and Fee Agreements – Susan E. Williams (Summerville, SC) |
| 5:15 pm | Money for Nothing: Forfeiture and Restitution – Steven L. Kessler (Harrison, NY) |
| 6:15 pm | Drug Seminar Adjourns for the Day |
| 6:45 pm |
Networking Meet-Up & Happy Hour: Join the speakers and your colleagues in this informal setting to discuss the day’s presentations. Location: TBA |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 10:00 am | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 10:45 am | Networking/Brainstorming Session |
| 11:45 am | Surveillance – Jonathan M. Brayman (Chicago, IL) |
| 12:45 pm | Money Laundering and Transmitting – Diego Weiner (Miami, FL) |
| 1:45 pm | Refreshment & Exhibitor Break |
| 2:00 pm | Sentencing – Peter Johnson (Hermosa Beach, CA) |
| 3:00 pm | Geofencing, CDRs, Timing Advance Records, etc. – Manny Arora (Atlanta, GA) and Andrew Garrett (Orlando, FL) |
| 4:00 pm | Drug Seminar Adjourns Until 2027! |
Faculty
- Manny Arora (Atlanta, GA)
- Jonathan M. Brayman (Chicago, IL) *NACDL LIFE MEMBER
- Steven B. Epstein (Garden City, NY) *NACDL MEMBER
- Jennifer L. Falk (Dallas, TX) *NACDL MEMBER
- Andrew Garrett (Orlando, FL) *NACDL MEMBER
- Michael P. Heiskell (Fort Worth, TX) *NACDL LIFE MEMBER
- Peter Johnson (Hermosa Beach, CA)
- Steven L. Kessler (Harrison, NY) *NACDL MEMBER
- Zachary Newland (Evergreen, CO) *NACDL LIFE MEMBER
- Erin K. Taylor (Charlotte, NC) *NACDL MEMBER
- Catherine Turner (Minneapolis, MN) *NACDL MEMBER
- Diego Weiner (Miami, FL) *NACDL MEMBER
- Susan E. Williams (Summerville, SC) *NACDL MEMBER
Hotel
Sahara Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
2535 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
All reservations within NACDL room block must be booked using the online reservations link below. Reservations over the phone are not available.
Online Reservations: https://book.passkey.com/e/51050775
Group rate: average nightly rate - $214 ($99 + tax Wednesday / $99 + tax Thursday / $329 + tax Friday / $329 + tax Saturday) - expires September 21, 2026
Rooms/discounted group rates are not guaranteed once the block has been filled.
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..
Event Sponsors:
still available...
Wi-Fi Sponsor:
still available...
Seminar Materials Sponsor:
still available...
Lanyards Sponsor:
still available...
Tote Bag Sponsor:
still available...
Conference Pen & Pads Sponsor:
still available...
Exhibitors:
Scholarships
NACDL offers a variety of scholarships for this event ranging from partially discounted to fully funded. Each type of scholarship has different application requirements. To apply for any of the following scholarships, please follow the instructions for that specific scholarship.
OPTION 1: Needs Based Scholarships
Based on need, scholarships are available to NACDL members for up to 50% off the standard seminar fee of $429. Approved recipients are responsible for the remainder of the tuition fee, which is $215 (all other expenses are not included). The reduced scholarship fee includes seminar tuition, admission to all evening social events, and downloadable seminar 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 September 13, 2026.
NACDL MEMBERSHIP AND RESERVATION AT THE HOST HOTEL ARE REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR NEEDS-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS.
OPTION 2: Public Defense Scholarships
As a result of generous grant funding, NACDL is able to offer scholarship assistance to public defense providers to attend this NACDL training program. Scholarships will be awarded in the form of full or partial reimbursement of the registration costs of the program. Limited travel reimbursement stipends may also be awarded to qualifying individuals to help defray the costs of travel and lodging.
Completed public defense scholarship applications should be emailed to: PDTScholarship@nacdl.org
Apply for a Public Defense Scholarship
Pricing
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Members of NACDL enjoy exclusive registration rates for our seminars along with all the benefits from joining.
| Registration Fees | Drug Only | BOTH Drug/DUI |
|---|---|---|
| NACDL Members: Regular, Life, and Sustaining | $429 | $841 |
| NACDL Members: Public Defender, Associate, Investigator, Professor, "New Lawyer", International, and Military | $299 | $568 |
| Non-Members of NACDL: Public Defenders | $311 | $594 |
| Non-Members of NACDL: Private Practice (Includes a 1-Year Membership) | $629 | $1169 |
| Regional Affiliate Lawyers: All Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah Lawyers (Residents Only) | $309 | $577 |
| Groups of 4 or more Public Defenders from the same office (must register at the same time; 1 payment; no changes or cancellations allowed). To register a group, please visit: http://www.nacdl.org/PDGroups | $279 | $529 |
| Non-Attendee Materials / Recordings | |
|---|---|
| Audio Recording (Pre-sale) | $225 |
| Video DVD Recording (Pre-sale) | $299 |
CANCELLATIONS: There is a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations must be received in writing via e-mail to cancel@nacdl.org by 5:30 pm E.T. Friday, October 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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