APDA Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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

8:15am MST

Investigating and Defending Prison Cases

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

This course will provide an overview of Arizona Department of Corrections, rehabilitation and reentry (ADCRR). facilities, some of their policies and the unit that will investigate crimes committed while in prison. We'll discuss the classification of inmates, protective custody, security threat groups, gangs, and prison culture to help you represent a client involved in the prison system.

Faculty

Ralph McLaughlin

Investigator, Blue Line Research & Consulting

Mr. Ralph McLaughlin is the founder and co-owner of the private investigation firm, Blue Line Research & Consulting whose primary work involves criminal defense and mitigation services. Mr. McLaughlin has been employed by the Arizona Department of Corrections both as a line-level... Read More →

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

Prison

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

Capistrano

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.

Faculty

Kevin Heade

Attorney, Pinal Co. Public Defender

Kevin Heade is a Defender Attorney with the Pinal Co. Public Defender 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 for Criminal... Read More →

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

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

Capistrano

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.

Faculty

Randy McDonald

Attorney, RB McDonald Law

Zach Buchanan

Attorney, Federal Public Defender

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

8:15am MST

How to Be Legally Competent for Your LGBTQ+ Clients in the Changing Legal Landscape

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

Capistrano

This course will discuss defenders' responsibility to stay informed about legal changes affecting our LGBTQ+ clients so we can continue to develop our competency and best represent them. Issues such as challenges to the availability of gender-affirming care and accurate legal documentation, a renewed surge in acceptance of practices like conversion therapy, and the recission of agency policies that were formerly protective of LGBTQ+ people, and the real-world consequences of these changes will be discussed.

Faculty

Marshall Bryan

Paralegal, Pima Co. Indigent Defense

Marshall has been a paralegal serving at the Pima Co. Indigent Defense Public Defender for 5 years. He holds two bachelor's degrees from Arizona State University (ASU), one in Religious Studies and another in the Philosophy of Morality, Politics, and Law. and a post-degree paralegal... Read More →

Audrey Baumgartner

Attorney, Pima Co. Indigent Defense

Audrey is originally from Minneapolis, MN. She attended Drake Law School in Des Moines, IA before moving to Tucson, AZ upon graduation. She started as a law clerk with the Pima Co. Indigent Defense Public Defender in August 2022 and transitioned to a felony trial attorney in November... Read More →

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

Holistic Representation

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Oral Arguments: Preparing for the Podium

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

Capistrano

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.

Faculty

David Euchner

Attorney, Pima Co. Indigent Defense

David Euchner is the appellate unit supervisor and resource counsel of the Pima County Public Defender’s Office, professor of practice in criminal law and criminal procedure at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, and the co-author of the Arizona Criminal Practice... Read More →

Grace Guisewite

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Legal Advocate

Grace Guisewite is a capital appeals attorney and attorney supervisor at the Maricopa Co. 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 litigation... Read More →

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

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

1:30pm MST

Habeas Refresher 2026

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

Capistrano

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.

Faculty

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
Capistrano

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

ETHICS: The Ethics of Owning and Running Your Own Practice

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

Capistrano

This course will be focused on potential ethical pitfalls of running a private law firm, especially targeted at indigent defense attorneys who are moving into the private sector for the first time. Particular focus will be on marketing, trust accounting, and managing client relationships.

Faculty

Omer Gurion

Attorney, Gurion Legal

Omer Gurion is a board-certified criminal law specialist in private practice practicing criminal defense. He has been in practice in Arizona for 15 years and has experience in government, private practice, and as a law firm owner.

Leah Schachar

Attorney, Schachar Law

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

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

8:15am MST

10:00am MST

3:15pm MST

8:15am MST

10:00am MST

1:30pm MST

3:15pm MST

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