APDA Conference 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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8:15am MST

ETHICS: The Benefits and Challenges of Being a Capital Litigator

Wednesday June 17, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST

Discussion of the benefits and challenges of being a capital litigator, including ethical issues relating to representation and suggestions for moving forward.

Speakers

Erika Warner

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Legal Defender

I have lost count of how long I have practiced law and how long I have been in Capital. I absolutely love OLD and the work that we do.

Gary Beren

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Wednesday June 17, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST
TBA

Capital

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

10:00am MST

ETHICS: Protecting the Rights of Disabled Parents in Child Welfare Proceedings

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

TBA

This presentation reviews the history and legal framework of the Americans with disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 as they apply to dependency cases, which allege that a child is neglected, abused, or without proper parental care. We'll provide practical strategies for advocating for reasonable accommodations for parents with Intellectual Disability Diagnosis (IDD), including guidance on filing appropriate motions. The presentation also explores legal remedies when the Department of Child Services (DCS) fails to meet its obligations under these laws, as well as the ethical considerations involved in representing parents with IDD.

Speakers

Maryvonne Harbulot

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Advocate

Denise Carroll

Attorney, Law Office of Denise L. Carroll

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST
TBA

Dependency

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Immigration

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

TBA

This course will discuss the current landscape of Immigration bonds, Habeas, and Writs in a post

Matter of YAJURE HURTADO, 29 I&N Dec. 216 (BIA 2025)context. It will explore the possible ways to get your client back to court to finish their criminal case. It will discuss who is currently eligible and not eligible for immigration bonds and filing of federal Habeas claims and writs

Speakers

Keith Hilzendeger

Attorney, Federal Public Defender

Keith has been a lawyer with the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Arizona since 2008, and has handled direct criminal appeals and state and federal postconviction proceedings on behalf of both state and federal prisoners.

Michael Neufeld

Attorney, Neufeld Law Firm

Michael Neufeld of the Neufeld Law Firm PLC splits his practice evenly between Immigration and Criminal law focusing on the interplay between the two. He is the Chariman of the State Bar of Arizona Criminal Justice Section executive counsel. He previously served as Chairman of the... Read More →

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST
TBA

Immigration

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

10:00am MST

ETHICS: Small Wins, Big Results: Sustainability for Public Defenders

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

TBA

Public defenders operate in a uniquely high-stress, high-caseload environment that demands consistent performance under chronic time pressure. This course translates evidence-based principles from Atomic Habits by James Clear and Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness into practical, attorney-specific systems for building sustainable habits, improving daily rhythm, and avoiding burnout. Participants will learn how to design friction-less routines, manage energy, and implement small, durable changes that compound into better courtroom performance, decision-making, and long-term career sustainability.

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST
TBA

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

10:00am MST

ETHICS: The Weight We Carry: Stress, Trauma, and Resilience in Criminal Defense Practice

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

This class explores the psychological and emotional challenges as well as the ethical and practical realities of criminal defense practice. We will discuss how factors such as heavy workloads, secondary trauma, and imposter syndrome contribute to burnout and unhealthy coping behaviors. Participants will learn to recognize warning signs of stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse while learning evidence-based strategies for resilience and self-care. We will also review related ethical rules and how attorneys can best help a struggling colleague.

Speakers

Ross Carponelli

Attorney, Mohave Co. Public Defender

Ross S. Carponelli is a Deputy Public Defender in Mohave County, Arizona, where he represents clients in all types of felony matters. His practice emphasizes strategic motion work, jury-focused advocacy, and disciplined trial decision from pretrial through sentencing.Ross regularly develops and presents tr... Read More →

Dawnese Hustad

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Dawnese Hustad is a Capital Trial Attorney for the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office. Before moving to trial work, Dawnese spent 8 years doing felony and capital appeals. Dawnese has represented indigent felony defendants in Maricopa County for all but one of her 19 years... Read More →

Meghann St. Thomas

Attorney, Jeffrey Gil Law

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

ETHICS: Child Sex Trafficking: Defense Strategies and Ethical Boundaries

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST

TBA

This program examines Arizona’s newly enacted mandatory natural-life sentencing statute for adult defendants convicted of Class 2 child sex trafficking. Faculty will walk through statutory triggers, subsection analysis, charging and plea-negotiation strategies, early motion practice, jury-instruction warfare, and constitutional preservation techniques. Emphasis is placed on how defense counsel can restructure litigation around offense classification rather than sentencing ranges, and how to ethically and effectively advocate in cases where a single conviction results in automatic life imprisonment without release.

Speakers

Ross Carponelli

Attorney, Mohave Co. Public Defender

Robert Heieck

Attorney, Mohave Co. Public Defender

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST
TBA

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

Dependency Updates

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST

TBA

This course will provide a review of Dependency appellate cases from the past year and any changes to the current rules and statutes.

Speakers

Joseph Ramiro-Shanahan

Attorney, Law Office of Joseph C. Ramiro-Shanahan

Jessica Strain

Attorney, Law Office of Joseph C. Ramiro-Shanahan

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST
TBA

Dependency

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

ETHICS: Ethics Game Show and Updates

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST

TBA

Join us for a discussion using hypotheticals focusing on ER 1.2-1.4 and a lawyers' willful ignorance of "bad facts".

Speakers

Sarah Howard

Attorney, Yuma Co. Public Defender

Sarah Howard is a law school graduate of Capital University Law School. She brings a multidisciplinary background to legal education, informed by prior military service, public service, and hands-on legal practice across criminal, appellate, and child welfare settings. Before entering... Read More →

Micah Friedman

Attorney, Micah Friedman Law

Shannyn Collins

Attorney, Yuma Co. Public Defender

Shannyn Collins, Deputy Yuma Co. Public DefenderEducation: Bachelor of Arts from Miami University (Ohio), Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)Admitted to practice law in Arizona in 2025As a newly admitted attorney, I have taken the MPRE as well... Read More →

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST
TBA

Holistic Representation

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

ETHICS: Intro to Autism

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST

TBA

This class provides an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder, emphasizing respectful terminology, early diagnosis, and the wide range of behavioral, social, sensory, and cognitive differences associated with autism. It examines the challenges autistic individuals and their families face in legal contexts, including communication barriers, vulnerability, family advocacy burdens, and interactions with schools, law enforcement, courts, and care systems. Through real-world case vignettes, the course highlights practical communication strategies and explores broader legal and social issues such as employment, privacy, family law, mental health proceedings, and the need for more tailored justice system responses.

Speakers

Eileen Spangrud

Partner, Davis Miles

Eileen Spangrud is a criminal and juvenile defense attorney at Davis Miles, PLLC, practicing law since 2007.

Ron Jones

Equity and Managing Partner, Davis Miles

Ron Jones is an equity and managing partner at Davis Miles, PLLC, practicing law since 1990.

Luke Finch

Attorney, Davis Miles

Luke finch is a commercial and civil litigation attorney at Davis Miles, practicing law since 2016.

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST
TBA

Mental Health

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

ETHICS: No Fluff. No Woo. Stay Sane in the Practice of Law

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST

TBA

This is a practical introduction to mindfulness designed for defenders navigating real stress, real clients, and real deadlines. You’ll learn how your brain works under pressure—and how to work with it instead of against it. We’ll break down simple, science-backed tools to help you manage stress, reduce reactivity, and create more space between what happens and how you respond. Skills you can use immediately—in court, in conversations, and in your day-to-day practice. We'll meet you as you are, and you'll leave with something that helps.

Speakers

Courtney Collins

Attorney, Boyd Collins Law

Courtney Boyd is a dedicated defense attorney holding various defense contracts across the valley. Through the practice of mindfulness, she has transformed her legal career, enhancing both her professional effectiveness and personal well-being. Her experience demonstrates how mindfulness... Read More →

Elizabeth Maupin

Attorney, Alcock and Associates

Elizabeth has practiced for 14 years, beginning as a prosecutor and now serving as the lead misdemeanor attorney at a defense firm. She has worked extensively in mental health treatment courts and is committed to advocating for vulnerable populations.Outside the courtroom, Elizabeth... Read More →

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST
TBA

Professional Development