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EVIDENCE BOOT CAMP F | 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 |
Mitchell Foster Faculty |
Joan Morgan Faculty |
A IS FOR ATTORNEY | 9:30am - 5:30pm | 8 ANNUAL 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.
Click here to register now for A is For Attorney!
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, March 13, 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 ANNUAL 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 | 7:30pm
Woodward's in the hotel. Open to All Conference Registrants. Complimentary Hors D'oeuvres; Cash Bar.
Friday Speakers & Events - 9:00-5:00pm (8 MIDC-compliant hours)
9-12:00pm • Welcome by CDAM President Bernard A. Jocuns
• KEYNOTE by Cynthia W. Rosenberry
• Well-Being for Criminal Defense Attorneys by Marla McCowan
• Rebuttable Presumption against Jail or Probation for Non-serious Misdemeanors by William Nahikian
12-1:00pm OPTIONS:
• Working Lunch -- by Stephanie Farkas and Eric Buchanan
• Group Lunch
• Lunch on Your Own
1-5:00pm OPTIONS:
State Track
• Transforming How We Advocate for Pretrial Release by Alex Karakatsanis
• Ten Tips for A Successful Preliminary Examination by Mary Chartier
• Contempt of Court by Ken Mogill and Arthur Jay Weiss
• Challenges in Representing a Mentally Ill Client by Jennifer Zoltowski and Bernard A. Jocuns
Federal Track
• Plea Bargains by James Gerometta
• Calculating and Fighting Sentencing Guidelines by Leslie Scott
• Cell Phone Searches by Michael Carter and Matthew Borgula
• Federal Updates: 6th Circuit by Benton Martin
CONFERENCE CELEBRATION
7:30-10:00pm Cocktail Party by CDAM in Woodward's, Auburn Hills Marriott. Free appetizers. Cash bar.
9:00-12:00pm Friday Morning Plenary Sessions
KEYNOTE
Cynthia Rosenberry Washington D.C. |
Well-Being for Criminal Defense Attorneys Description: Marla serves as the MIDC’s designee to the Michigan Commission on Well-Being in the Law, established in 2023 to change the climate of the legal culture by promoting well-being within the legal profession. This session will focus on areas unique to criminal defense attorneys and identify opportunities to improve work-life balance and boundaries for our community members. Take-Aways: • Understand the background and purpose of the CWBIL. • Have a definition for well-being. • Understand that good mental health is tied to ethics and core competence as a lawyer. • An update on the MIDC’s work, including the new caseload standard which should support attorney well-being. |
Marla McCowan Lansing, MI |
Rebuttable Presumption Against Jail or Probation for Non-serious Misdemeanors Description: The Michigan Court of Appeals issued a for publication opinion in The City of Auburn Hills v. Mason, ensuring that District Courts address the rebuttable presumption against jail or probation for non-serious misdemeanors. The Court of Appeals even touched on Defendant's argument that the sentence was based on an unlawful sentencing policy held by the district court. This appeal would not have been possible without the MIDC and the same opportunity exists for all appointed attorneys in Michigan. The case will be discussed and I will explain how the argument was crafted using felony case law. The presentation will briefly cover the District Court Appeal process and how you can think outside of the box when drafting an appeal. Take-aways: • How the argument was crafted. • Know the law and how cases that helped. • Think outside of the box and case law. Nothing prevents you from making an argument that has not been made before, or using law that is similar but not exactly on point. • Embrace the use of data and statistics, even if you have to compile them yourself. • How the MIDC has made Misdemeanor appeals more realistic and why you should take them on. •Many issues still need to be addressed -- there's nothing stopping you from being the one to do it. |
William Nahikian Detroit, MI |
12:00-1:00pm Group Lunch, Lunch on Your Own, or Working Lunch |
Description: Working lunch on tech tips. Limited to 35 registrants. |
Stephanie Farkas Detroit, MI |
Eric Buchanan Detroit, MI |
1:00-5:00 Breakout Tracks - Two Options STATE OR FEDERAL
~ Each track will have one 15-minute afternoon break ~
STATE TRACK BREAKOUT PRESENTERS |
Transforming How We Advocate For Pretrial Release Description: This session will incorporate lessons from public defenders, criminal defense attorneys, bail-setting judges, and community organizations across the U.S. to transform how we think about pretrial release in Michigan. It will cover the latest in state and federal constitutional law about bail, concrete practice tips, cutting edge research, resources for filing bail motions and appeals, introduction to pro bono assistance resources for attorneys, and proven strategies for transforming courtroom advocacy to dramatically increase the number of people released to their families prior to trial. Take-aways: • Understanding the law around bail. • Understanding how to work with judges and community resources to expand release. • Accessing research, practice tips, checklists, and resources for motions and appeals. • Using the pretrial release process as a way to reduce sentences, reduce convictions, and expand consideration of children and family rights in the criminal process. |
Alec Karakatsanis |
Ten Tips for a Successful Preliminary Examination Description: Let’s examine exams! The preliminary examination is critical to trial success. This interactive session will discuss how to use the exam to best prepare for success at trial. This includes how to best determine topics to address, impeaching witnesses (or not), and addressing relevant legal issues. This session will also address when dismissal at the exam is viable and how best to achieve the goal of dismissal. Take-Aways: • How to use the exam to set up trial success. • Determining topics to address at the exam. • Determining when to impeach witnesses at the exam. • Crafting the best strategy when dismissal is viable at the exam. • How to best address more complex legal issues at the exam. |
Mary Chartier Okemos, MI |
Contempt of Court Description: Understand the principles, procedures, and nuances of contempt of court that will help you navigate and address these issues. Learn valuable information about how CDAM can serve as a resource when facing contempt of court charges. Take-Aways: • Types of criminal contempt. • Procedures on how to address Contempt of Court. • Defenses and mitigating factors. • CDAM Strike Force. •Learn what you can do to assist your colleagues who face contempt charges. |
Ken Mogill Lake Orion, MI |
Arthur Jay Weiss Farmington Hills, MI |
Challenges of Representing a Mentally Ill Client Description: What is an attorney to do if their client is deemed competent but is mentally ill? Mental health can impact how a client interacts with their attorney and others. Mental health issues can impact behaviors such as planning and decision making, creating difficulty in the attorney client relationship. Further, clients with mental health issues are often uncooperative, making an assessment difficult but crucial to their defense. In this session, we will discuss how the attorney and the evaluator can work together effectively despite these difficulties. Take-Aways: • What can I do if my client is competent but mentally ill. • The relationship between psychiatric illness and criminality. • Mental illness as a mitigating factor. • The difference between a mental health and a risk assessment. • How medication can help (or hurt). |
Jennifer Zoltowski Huntington Woods, MI |
Bernard A. Jocuns Lapeer, MI |
FEDERAL TRACK BREAKOUT PRESENTERS |
Plea Bargains |
James Gerometta Lake Orion, MI |
Calculating & Fighting Guidelines |
Leslie Scott Detroit, MI |
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Attacking Cell Phone Warrants |
Michael Carter Detroit, MI |
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Matthew Bogula6th Circuit Sixth Circuit Updates and Emerging Issues in Federal Criminal Law Description: In addition to an update on recent Sixth Circuit cases, Benton Martin, Appellate Chief at the Federal Community Defender will discuss emerging issues to look out for and preserve in federal cases. Take-Aways: • What’s going on with Bruen. |
Benton Martin Detroit, MI |
CONFERENCE
9:00-10:15am Michigan Law Updates by Matt Monahan
10:15-11:00am Divided Government and Criminal Justice Reforms by Noah Smith
11:00-11:30am Amicus Updates by Christine Pagac
11:30-11:45am Break
11:45-1:00pm Michigan Sentencing Guidelines by Anne Yantus
Michigan Law Updates Description: Matt Monahan 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. |
Matt Monahan Detroit, MI |
Divided Government and Criminal Justice Reforms Description: Michigan’s State Senate and Governor is Democratic controlled while the Michigan State House of Representatives is Republican controlled. Explore with CDAM’s Lobbyist what this means for criminal justice reforms and what CDAM is looking at initiating in the 103rd Legislature. This will also include a brief discussion of an exciting opportunity CDAM is offering members to discuss issues directly with their own lawmakers and staff. Take-Aways: • The formal and informal power structures within the State Senate and House. • Influential coalition and opposition organizations on criminal defense issues in the legislature. • CDAM proactively-initiated legislation (select). • Legislation currently under consideration. • CDAM’s upcoming “Lobby Day.” |
Noah Smith Lansing, MI |
CDAM Amicus's Practice Description: CDAM Amicus Briefs, past, present, and future. Take-aways: • Benefits to writing amicus. • Selected briefs; recap. • How to become an amicus writer. • How to ask for CDAM to be involved. |
Christine Pagac 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 2025. Conference Materials Materials will be supplied to each registrant through email after the cancellation deadline. The deadline to order printed materials is Friday, February 28, 2025. 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, March 14, 2025 from 9-5:00pm (8 MIDC-compliant CLE annual hours) Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 9-1:00pm (4 MIDC-compliant CLE annual hours)
Location and Hotel Information Auburn Hills Marriott, Pontiac is our host hotel. Address: 3600 Centerpoint Parkway, Pontiac, MI. CDAM group rates are good through FEBRUARY 27, 2025, or earlier if CDAM's block of rooms are sold out. Rates start at $139++ USD per night (pending availability -- so book soon!). Book your group rate for CDAM 2025 AND REMEMBER TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU BOOKED FOR THE CORRECT ARRIVAL DATE. 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 Annual Hours) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, 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, March 13, 2025 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, February 28, 202525. After the conference, all registrants will receive a recording of conference plenary sessions and one break-out session track. |