Summary:
Public Defenders & Police Accountability: Strategizing Evidence, Ethics, and Collaboration for Clients with Civil Rights Claims
This 90-minute webinar equips public defenders and other criminal defense practitioners to steer criminal proceedings while positioning their clients’ related civil rights actions for success. Experienced civil rights and criminal defense lawyer Matt Manning will cover practical tactics for evidence preservation and discovery sharing, ethical referral and confidentiality pitfalls, client advising considerations, and best practices for collaborating with civil rights counsel so client liberty remains the top priority as you protect your clients’ civil case.
DATE: August 8, 2025, 2:30–4:00 pm ET
CLE Credit: No CLE credit available
COST: FREE (Not a member of NACDL? Learn more or Join Today!)
NOTE: The Webinar link will be provided in a confirmation email after registering.
SPEAKER:
Matthew (Matt) S. Manning
Born and raised in Austin, Matthew (Matt) S. Manning was blessed to be raised by and around servant leaders, including his parents, Rev. Steve and Janiece Manning, family, coaches, professors, family friends, and countless others. After graduating from W.C. Akins High School in Austin in 2004, Matt began his studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C, laser focused on attending law school, graduating in 2008. During his time in DC, he interned on Capitol Hill and became immersed in politics. His experiences in college and the august legacies of those who went before him at Howard cemented his desire to serve others through legal practice, particularly in the area of civil rights. In 2009 he entered the University of Toledo College of Law on a full scholarship, where he served as president of the Black Law Student Association and was active in advocacy competitions, completing coursework in civil rights and visiting at the Texas Tech School of Law in his final year. Matt moved to Corpus Christi in 2013, serving as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Corpus Christi. Shortly thereafter, he moved to the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as an Assistant District Attorney before joining current District Attorney Mark Gonzalez in his law office. Adopting the nickname “Manning of the People” early on in his career, Matt championed the rights of citizens in private practice as a criminal defense attorney before re-joining the District Attorney’s Office as First Assistant District Attorney in January 2017. In his time as First Assistant, Matt successfully assisted DA Gonzalez in his nationally-recognized endeavors to reform local criminal justice practices, ushering in innumerable progressive policy changes and programs like Cite & Release and the inaugural expunction clinic, and trying over a dozen high-profile homicide and media cases during his tenure. His practice as a prosecutor was focused on service to and protection of The People, including victims and their loved ones, and the protection of the rights and due process of those charged with crimes. In December 2019, Matt transitioned to a new position as an attorney — and eventually partner — with the venerable Corpus Christi law firm, Webb, Cason & Manning, P.C., where he maintains a robust civil rights, personal injury, and criminal defense practice. Matt strives to lead through service, as exemplified by his service to and membership on several boards, including those of the Coastal Bend Food Bank, Texas Young Lawyers Association, and the Corpus Christi Young Lawyers Association, and adjunct professorship at Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi.
Code of Conduct
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