The fall conference is on November 15-16, 2024 at Shanty Creek Resort 5780 Shanty Creek Rd., Bellaire, MI. Attendees may earn 12 total CLE Skill Training Hours. The cost is $480 for CDAM Members and $600 for Non-Members. Those with CDAM Direct Billing Agreements Register Free.
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EVIDENCE BOOT CAMP E | 9:30am - 5:30pm | 8 CLE Skill Hours | $320 CDAM Member/$400 Non-Member
CDAM’s Evidence Boot Camp F, ideal for lawyers with five or more years’ experience. These all-day, small group, hands-on, immersion trainings develop fast thinking skills, critical to introducing evidence in court. Limited to sixteen, paired into groups of two, attorneys work on fact patterns that focus on Rules of Evidence.It’s been said that if you know the Rules of Evidence, you can Rule the Courtroom. It’s true, and by attending an EBC, you will position yourself to Master the Courtroom.
 Patrick A. Cherry Faculty |
Elizabeth A, LaCosse Faculty |
A IS FOR ATTORNEY | 9:30am - 5:30pm | 8 CLE Skill Hours | $320 CDAM Member/$400 Non-Member
Experience CDAM’s acclaimed new lawyer session. Learn what a new lawyer needs to know to begin practicing criminal defense: interviewing a client, setting up a file, nuts and bolts of criminal court procedures, Q&A. Morning session is procedure, working lunch. Afternoon session is trial skills.
Tiffany DeBruin Faculty |
Lisa Kirsch Satawa Faculty |
YOUR CASE ISSUES | 4pm - 6pm | No CLE Hours Issued | Just Show Up!
Stumped on a strategy? Have questions on a case? This is your opportunity to get feedback and assistance from an experienced CDAM trial attorney. Your Case Issues on Thursday, Nov 9, is open to everyone and is free. No reservation needed -- just show up. Check in at the registration desk and CDAM staff will direct you to the meeting room.
 Rhonda B. Ives Faculty |
Daniel W. Grow Faculty |
Michael Steinberg Faculty |
CDAM BOARD MEETING | 6:15pm All CDAM members are welcome to attend. Those interested in running for CDAM’s Board of Directors must attend a board meeting within the past year.
LODGE PARTY | 8:00pm
At Shanty Creek Lakeside Restaurant. Open to All Conference Registrants. Complimentary Hors D'oeuvres; Cash Bar.
Friday Speakers & Events - 9:00-5:00pm (8 MIDC-compliant hours)
8:30-8:45am Pre-conference tutorial on how to use the conference Whova App (no CLE accrued) by Cathy Gentry
9:00-12:00pm 4 Breakout Session Options (select one): 15-minute break during each session
• Navigating Misdemeanor Criminal Cases: A Comprehensive Overview with Daniel W. Grow and Jessica LaFond, and Felonies, Persuasive Communication, and Pitfalls In Advocacy by Hon. Becket Jones
• Obstructing Injustice -- Try Your Case! by Takura Nyamfukudza and Margaret "Peggy" Raben
• Persuasive Writing and Hands-On Practice
• Case and Client Management: Don't Trip Over Your Own Feet with Michael A. Hills and Lisa Kirsch-Satawa
12:00-1:00pm OPTIONS:
• Working Lunch -- SADO's Web of Knowledge by Kathy Swedlow
• Group Lunch
• Lunch on Your Own
1:00-2:00m KEYNOTE PRESENTER: Mental Toughness to Do What We Do by John P. Cannon
2:00-2:45pm Don't Let AI Get You In Trouble by Patrick Barone
2:45-3:00pm Break
3:00-3:45pm Revolutionizing Your Practice with Conscious Communication by Gabby Rosely
3:45-4:30pm Straight Talk Honest Advice by Channa Borman
4:30-5:00pm Stakeholder Updates by CDAM President Bernard A. Jocuns, MIDC Deputy Director Marla McCowan, CDRC Manager Kathy Swedlow
CONFERENCE CELEBRATION
8:00-11:00pm Cocktail Party by Nationwide Interlock. Beer/Wine and Appetizers.
9:00-12:00 Breakout Tracks - Four Options
~ Each track will have 15-minute break during the segment ~
Navigating Misdemeanor Criminal Cases: A Comprehensive Overview Description: Dive into the essential components of misdemeanor cases in this comprehensive presentation. The presentation will focus on misdemeanor practice beginning with case initiation through trial, pleas, and sentences. Whether you’re looking to gain a foundational understanding or seeking to refine your knowledge, this presentation will provide a clear and thorough exploration of misdemeanor cases and how to best represent your clients. Take-aways: • How to Effectively Communicate with your Client • Communicating with the Court and Prosecutor to Your Client’s Benefit • A Checklist of Important Items – What Discovery You Need • Analysis of Defenses and Plea Negotiations • How to Navigate Trial, Pleas, and Sentencings. |
Daniel W. Grow Saint Joseph, MI |
Jessica LaFond Kalamazoo, MI  Hon. Becket Jones Kalamazoo, MI |
Obstructing Injustice - Try Your Case! Description: We will discuss what Constitutional Warriors should do ahead of trial to get their cases ready. That way, they are prepared to feel the thrill of victory. Or they know that they’ve done everything possible should they not win. Take-aways: • Be Brave: Try Your Case • Be Prepared: Use Motion Practice • Be “adverse,” the government certainly is • Plug
the hole in your pretrial bucket |  Takura Nyamfukudza Okemos, MI |
Margaret "Peggy" Raben Detroit, MI |
Case and Client Management: Don't Trip Over Your Own Feet • Attendees will leave with an understanding of how to learn, manage and strategize cases. • Attendees will leave with a method to efficiently and effectively handle evidence. • Attendees will leave with an understanding of resources available to save time and sanity. • Attendees will receive and use methods, systems and checklists to avoid problems and stay out of trouble. • Attendees will learn the benefit of and participate in a brainstorming/ focus group. • Part two is an opportunity for each attendee to bring their scariest case and leave with insight to save their sanity and present the best defense. |
Michael Hills Kalamazoo, MI |
Lisa Kirsch-Satawa Bloomfield Hills, MI |
12:00-1:00pm Group Lunch, Lunch on Your Own, or Working Lunch |
SADO's Web of Knowledge Working Lunch Description: In this session, attendees will learn about the resources SADO
offers to criminal defense subscribers and how these resources can help them
with their work. We will review publications, training videos, model
pleadings, the brief bank, and the expert and misconduct databases -- as well
as a large collection of free resources SADO offers to people impacted by the
criminal legal system. |
Kathy Swedlow Detroit, MI |
1:00-5:00pm Friday Afternoon Plenary Sessions |
KEYNOTE: Mental Toughness to Do What We Do
John P. Cannon Oklahoma City, OK |
Don't Let AI Get You In Trouble Take-aways:
• Mastering AI tools is becoming an essential skill for all lawyers. • AI has limitations, and effective use requires understanding them. • Ethical use of AI must align with professional responsibility rules. |
Patrick Barone Birmingham, MI |
Revolutionizing Your Practice with Conscious Communication Description: How to master communication in high-stakes environments to achieve better outcomes — both in court and in everyday professional interactions. We will be highlighting that effective communication goes beyond just speaking; it's about listening, adapting, and building rapport, which aligns well with the mission of improving legal representation and advocacy." Take-aways: • Effective Communication begins with Listening: The Power of Active Listening • Adapting Communication Across Generations, Personalities and Positions • Winning Hearts Before Minds: Emotional Intelligence in Communication |
Gabby Rosely |
Straight Talk Honest Advice
Channa Borman Bryan, TX |
Stakeholder Updates from CDAM, MIDC, and SADO
Bernard A. Jocuns CDAM President |
Marla McCowan MIDC Deputy Director |
Kathy Swedlow CDRC Manager |
8:15-8:45am Preconference tutorial on how to use the conference Whova App (no CLE accrued) by Cathy Gentry
CONFERENCE
9:00-10:30am Michigan Law Updates by Jessica Zimbelman
10:00-11:30am Issue Spotting: Identifying Legal Challenges to a Criminal Prosecution by Allison Kriger
11:30-11:45am Break
11:45-1:00pm Michigan Sentencing Guidelines by Anne Yantus
Michigan Law Updates Description: Jessica Zimbelman will discuss the noteworthy Michigan cases and opinions in criminal cases in 2024. Hundreds of hours are spent each year compiling Michigan Law Updates, so you don't have to. |
Jessica Zimbelman Detroit, MI |
Issue Spotting: Identifying Legal Challenges to a Criminal Prosecution Description: Defending a criminal case necessarily involves identifying pretrial challenges to a criminal prosecution as well as one or more theories of defense to the alleged crimes. In some cases, pretrial challenges might be dispositive. In other cases, pretrial challenges might help defense counsel narrow the issues, and, in turn, their client’s exposure. In a worst-case scenario, a case lacks any meritorious legal challenges, which still this requires identifying and crafting a narrative to explain the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the conduct upon which the prosecution is predicated-i.e. throwing yourself at the mercy of the court and/or prosecution. This session focuses on the first two sets of cases. | Take-aways: • Learn your case by reviewing discovery and talking to your client. • Research applicable jurisprudence • Use that to determine whether additional investigation is necessary • Apply the law to the facts. • Make your challenge. Allison L. Kriger Detroit, MI |
Sentencing Guidelines Description: Updates on all areas of Michigan sentencing law including new decisions, amended court rules, new legislation, and more. |  Anne Yantus Dearborn, MI |
Continuing Legal Education Credit Hours One credit hour is accrued for each hour of CLE training: 12.0 maximum hours available. CLE forms can be obtained by visiting the MIDC vendor table. Attorneys are responsible for completing the form and submitting it to the person responsible for tracking their CLE hours. Attorneys are advised to keep a copy of their CLE form. CLE hours are good through 2024. Conference Materials Materials will be supplied to each registrant through CDAM's Whova conference app after the cancellation deadline. The deadline to order printed materials is Friday, November 1, 2024. Please pick up at the conference registration area during check-in. For Assigned Counsel and Public Defenders Some county/court funding units will pay for part, or all, of the cost of your registration. It is up to you to contact your local funding unit to determine what is applicable to you and what payment or reimbursement method you will need to use. If you do not know the contact information for your court’s local funding unit, contact Deborah Mitchell at the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission at 517-657-3066 or email her at MitchellD20@Michigan.gov. If you email, use the subject line “CDAM.” Registration and/or Questions |
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CONFERENCE SPONSORS
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CONFERENCE OVERVIEW AND HOTEL INFORMATION
Dates Friday, November 15, 2024 from 9-5:00pm (8 MIDC-compliant CLE annual hours) Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 9-1:00pm (4 MIDC-compliant CLE annual hours)
Location and Hotel Information Shanty Creek Resort is our host hotel. Address: 5780 Shanty Creek Rd., Bellaire, MI. There are three types of lodging available: Lakeview Hotel in Summit Village (connected to conference center), condominiums, and Creekside Hotel rooms (a five minute drive from the conference center). CDAM group rates are good through October 13, 2024, or earlier if CDAM's block of rooms are sold out. Rates start at $95++ USD per night (pending availability -- so book soon!). THE HOTEL BOOKING LINK IS LOCATED IN CDAM's CONFERENCE EMAIL AUTOMATICALLY SENT TO YOU ONCE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED. Registration Information/Links/Scholarship/Menu Conference Price CDAM Member $480/Conference Price Non-Member $600 | CLE Hours Accrued: 12.0 A is for Attorney (8 MIDC approved Skill Training hours) on Thursday, November 14, 2024, is an additional $320 for a CDAM member and $400 for non-member. 0pen to all. Register by clicking here. Evidence Boot Camp F (8 MIDC approved Skill Training Hours) on Thursday, November 14, 2024 is an additional $320 for a CDAM member and $400 for a non-member. Register by clicking here. Scholarships are available to CDAM Members. Click here to apply! No refunds after Friday, November 1, 2024. After the conference, all registrants will receive a recording of this conference. |
Lakeview Hotel and Conference Center Address: 5780 Shanty Creek Rd., Bellaire, MI
| Shanty Creek Cedar River Lodge Address: 2400 Troon South, Bellaire, MI
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