Agenda Faculty CLE Hotel Exhibitor/Sponsor Scholarships Pricing Register Online Register by PDF

Make the case...for your client's life at NACDL's 28th Annual Making the Case for Life Seminar. 

This seminar is designed to help capital defenders, investigators, and mitigation specialists. Participants will hear cutting-edge presentations regarding pretrial investigations, capital jury selection, new perspectives on discovering the story of the client and mitigation evidence.  Attendees will learn from seasoned capital trial lawyers, nationally-known law professors, and jury consultants, who will offer their personal perspectives, advice, and proven strategies for making the best case for life. If you are handling or may handle a case in which your client is facing the death penalty, then this is a must-attend seminar for you!

Agenda

The program agenda and faculty are subject to change.

Faculty

Jerilyn Bell (Atlanta, GA) *NACDL MEMBER
Carmen Brooks (Las Vegas, NV)
Isaiah “Skip” Gant (Hermitage, TN) *NACDL MEMBER
Dr. Heather Holmes (Miami, FL)
Marlyne K. Israelian, PhD (Atlanta, GA)
Lori James-Townes (Stoney Beach, MD)
Christian Lamar (Decatur, GA)
Lien Lafargue (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Emily Paavola (Columbia, SC)
Dr. Heather Pruss (Louisville, KY)
Juval O. Scott (Bronx, NY) *NACDL MEMBER
Luke Shealey (Columbia, SC)
Anne Taylor (Coeur d’Alene, ID) *NACDL MEMBER
Juliet Yackel (Chicago, IL)

CLE Information

NACDL is an accredited provider of CLE in all states requiring mandatory CLE Training. NACDL will apply for at least 13.00 credit hours in every state requiring pre-approval. Approved hours for each state will be identified at the seminar. Some states, IL, GA, NE, NM, PA, SC, TN and UT require additional fees by the attendee in order to receive credit.

Hotel

The Roosevelt Hotel
130 Roosevelt Way
New Orleans, LA 70112

Online Reservations: https://book.passkey.com/go/c7bd1046
Phone Reservations: 504-335-3133
Group rate: $149 + tax (expires August 5, 2026). Please mention code “NTGLTY” to receive applicable dicount rate. 
Rooms/discounted group rates are not guaranteed once the block has been filled.  

Questions? Contact Senior Director of Events Akvile Athanason at aathanason@nacdl.org or call (202) 872-8600 x630

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.

Sponsor/Exhibit Prospectus

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:

Garrett Discovery, Inc.

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 $344. Approved recipients are responsible for the remainder of the tuition fee, which is $172 (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 July 29, 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

Register Online Register by PDF

Members of NACDL enjoy exclusive registration rates for our seminars along with all the benefits from joining.

CANCELLATIONS: There is a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations must be received in writing via e-mail by 5:30 pm E.T. Friday, August 21, 2026, to receive a refund, less the cancellation fee. No refunds can be issued after the cancellation deadline.

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