APDA Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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8:15am MST

ETHICS: Criminal Immigration Basics, Ethics, and Updates

Thursday June 18, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST

This course will explain the basics of how to not get your client deported. We provide an introduction into the ethical obligations a defender owes to their client and explain the basics of the interplay between immigration and criminal law.

Faculty

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 →

Tracy Abastillas

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Tracy Abastillas is the Criminal Immigration Resource Attorney at the Office of the Public Defender in Maricopa County (MCPD). Mrs. Abastillas consults with attorneys throughout the MCPD regarding the immigration consequences of clients’ charges and plea offers. She conducts new... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST
Palm Ballroom C&F

Immigration

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

10:00am MST

ETHICS: Westlaw, AI, and You

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

Palm Ballroom C&F

This course introduces new AI features in Westlaw that make our lives easier. Learn data security, best practices for using AI, how to avoid pitfalls.

Faculty

Abigail Smith

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Maricopa Co. of the Public Defender

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST
Palm Ballroom C&F

Forensics

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

1:30pm MST

ETHICS: What You Don’t Say Matters: Strategic Silence in Objections and Cross-Examination

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

Palm Ballroom C&F

This session explores how deliberate restraint can strengthen your trial advocacy. Learn when silence is more persuasive than objection, when not to cross-examine, and how to avoid common pitfalls that weaken your case by saying too much.

Faculty

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 →

Thursday June 18, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MST
Palm Ballroom C&F

Courtroom Advocacy

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: What's New in Sex Crimes Law and Legislation?

Thursday June 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST

Palm Ballroom C&F

An update and discussion of sex crimes case law, legislation, and more.

Faculty

Brittany Lamb

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Attorney at the Maricopa County Public Defender's Office in a hybrid position in the sex crimes and juveniles charged as adults units.

Jerald Schrek

Attorney, The Schreck Law Firm

Jerry Schreck has been practicing criminal defense for approximately thirty years. During that time he has been involved in over one hundred jury trials, and represented well over a thousand persons charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanor to child molestations to murders. Schreck... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST
Palm Ballroom C&F

Sex Crimes

CLE Hours 1.5

APDA Conference 2026

8:15am MST

Michael Neufeld

Tracy Abastillas

10:00am MST

Abigail Smith

1:30pm MST

Ross Carponelli

3:15pm MST

Brittany Lamb

Jerald Schrek

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