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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10:00am MST

Representing Clients in Clemency and Parole Cases

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

The clemency and parole process may be the last resort for many people to obtain relief / release from incarceration. This session will focus on: (1) determining eligibility for clemency and parole, (2) preparing for these hearings, (3) representation in these hearings before the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency and what to expect, (4) the importance of a release plan, and (5) strategies if your case is recommended to the Governor.

Faculty

Katie Puzauskas

Attorney, Arizona Justice Project

Katie Puzauskas is the Development and Legal Strategy Coordinator for the Arizona Justice Project. Katie has been involved in post-conviction advocacy and litigation for more than 16 years, working with the Arizona Justice Project and as Legal Supervising Attorney for the ASU Law... Read More →

Tansha Harrell

Social Worker, Arizona Justice Project

Susan Stodola

Expert, Board of Executive Clemency

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST
Jokake

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

1:30pm MST

Representing Veterans In Criminal Cases: A Deeper Dive

Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MST

Jokake

Military Veterans undergo an experience far removed from the vast majority of those who sit in judgment of them in the criminal justice system. The military experience, particularly if it involves combat, indelibly shapes the veteran and often has significant causal or mitigating implications. At core, as mandated by Porter v. McCollum, 558 US 30 (2009), the lawyer’s role and obligation in a veteran’s case is to investigate and tell that vet’s story -- to translate this uncommon experience into a human narrative that not only engenders the comprehension of a prosecutor, judge, jury but also evokes their compassion. This practical instruction will assist lawyers by exploring the veteran experience, the "typical" veteran, lawyer-veteran client interaction, acquiring and interpreting military records, interview techniques, and a discussion of an archetypical veteran mitigation brief and sentencing hearing.

Faculty

Art Cody

Attorney, Center for Veteran Criminal Advocacy

Captain Art Cody, USN (Retired) is the Director of the Center for Veteran Criminal Advocacy. His military career spans over thirty years and he has served worldwide. Art began his career as an Army helicopter pilot followed by a similar role in the Navy Reserve flying for a Strike... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MST
Jokake

Capital