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

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

Jurors will provide firsthand experience about what it is really like to sit on a jury. They will help attorneys understand what happens during deliberations, discuss how jury instructions are interpreted, provide insight into common juror misunderstandings and bias, and offer tips for successful courtroom presentations.

Faculty

John Champagne

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Legal Defender

Christine Ortega

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Christine is an attorney at the Maricopa Co. Public Defender's Office. She has worked for the Office for approximately twelve years, handling all felony cases.

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

Jury

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

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

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

Xavier

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.

Faculty

Josh Messick

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

I am an attorney with the Maricopa Co. Public Defender's Office. My practice with the office has spanned the pretrial, trial, and appellate phases. I also have experience clerking for appellate judges at the federal and state levels. Beyond my usual work, I am focused on building... Read More →

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

Professional Development

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

Xavier

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.

Faculty

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
Xavier

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

APDA Conference 2026

8:15am MST

John Champagne

Christine Ortega

10:00am MST

Josh Messick

3:15pm MST

Courtney Collins

Elizabeth Maupin

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