APDA Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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

8:15am MST

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

This presentation will discuss many of the challenges trial lawyers may experience moving from a pre-conviction caseload to an appellate one. It will also provide tips for lawyers preparing to make the transition to appellate work, and those potentially considering handling appeals and post-conviction relief matters in the future. Finally, it will provide information about the connection between the trial record and appellate work that will aid both sets of practitioners.

Speakers

Ian McCloskey

Attorney, Pima Co. Public Defense Services

I am an Arizona native, a graduate of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law, and a career public defender. I spent six years in the felony trial unit at the Pima County Public Defender's Office, including four years specializing in... Read More →

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Is Originalism Enough? Competing Theories of Law and Constitutional Meaning

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

TBA

Examines whether originalism provides an adequate framework for constitutional interpretation by exploring competing theories of law, including natural law, legal positivism, legal realism, and pragmatic approaches. Provides practical tools for understanding and advancing constitutional arguments grounded in broader jurisprudential traditions shaping how courts interpret the law today.

Speakers

Kevin Heade

Attorney, Pinal Co. Public Defender

Kevin Heade is a Defender Attorney with the Pinal County Public Defender office in Phoenix, Arizona. His work is focused on criminal appeals and other post-conviction matters. Kevin also serves as President of Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona, the chair of the Arizona Attorneys... Read More →

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

Untimely and Successive PCRs after Anderson and Traverso

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

TBA

The Arizona Supreme Court has recently issued a handful of important decisions regarding the availability of relief to defendants raising claims in second or successive PCRs. Learn how to use these new decisions to ensure that your clients’ cases are heard on the merits and are not dismissed as being untimely or precluded.

Speakers

Randy McDonald

Attorney, RB McDonald Law

Zach Buchanan

Attorney, Federal Public Defender

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

8:15am MST

Preserve, Present, Prevail: The Art of Criminal Lower Court Appeals in Arizona

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

TBA

This presentation will explore unique and creative ways to preserve the record. It will provide guidance on how to present the best lower court appeals presentations you can. Lower court appeals are a unique animal that requires different rules and different strategy.

Speakers

Rhonda Neff

Owner/Attorney, Law Offices of Rhonda Neff

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Oral Arguments: Preparing for the Podium

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

TBA

This course will explain the process of seeking oral argument in special actions and appeals. It will also focus on the importance of oral arguments and best practices.

Speakers

Grace Guisewite

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Legal Advocate

Grace Guisewite is a capital appeals attorney and attorney supervisor at the Maricopa County Office of the Legal Advocate. After graduating from Boston University School of Law, Grace worked as an associate for Dechert LLP, where she primarily practiced white collar and securities... Read More →

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Representing Clients in Clemency and Parole Cases

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

TBA

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. (Note: this session may go hand-in-hand with a course proposal regarding 603(L) orders and clemency eligibility within 90 days of sentencing).

Speakers

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

Director of Social Work, Arizona Justice Project

Susan Stodola

Expert, Former Member of the Board of Executive Clemency

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

1:30pm MST

Habeas Refresher 2026

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

TBA

A review of how to file a federal habeas petition on behalf of a state prisoner, and recent developments in this area of the law.

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.

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

Investigating, Litigating, and Winning in Post-Conviction Relief

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

TBA

Seth Apfel has won relief in post-conviction relief for countless clients in the last few years. Seth will go through the process. This course is valuable regardless of experience level.

Speakers