APDA Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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

8:15am MST

Justified - Proving Self Defense at Trial

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

San Pedro

A comprehensive overview of presenting self defense at a jury trial, including real world examples.

Faculty

Ian Service

Attorney, Service Law Group

Mr. Ian Service
Principal Attorney
Owner of Service Law Group PLLCMr. Service is an Arizona defense attorney who has vast experience both as a deputy prosecuting attorney and as a deputy public defender before founding his own firm Service Law Group in 2016. His unique experience from both sides gives him the knowledge a... Read More →

Jeff Cloud

Attorney, JCloud Law

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

Courtroom Advocacy

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Tried Too Young: What Happens When Adolescence Meets Adult Punishment

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

San Pedro

This course will provide the law and practical knowledge you need to represent juvenile and young adult clients when they are facing adult felony charges, oftentimes very serious class 2 and 3 felonies, from the time they are charged to plea negotiations and trial. This course will also cover the basics of JTOP - Juvenile Transferred Offender Program - a treatment court program that these clients can participate in if they are given a probation sentence. Bonus material covers the post-conviction relief these clients enjoy in AZ that most other clients cannot take advantage of.

Faculty

Samantha McLaughlin

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Sam is an attorney in the Maricopa County Public Defender's office specializing in the representation of juvenile clients being charged as adults.

Amy Faerber

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Amy is an attorney in the Maricopa County Public Defender's office representing young adults in the JTOP program.

Jessica Jimenez

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Jessica is an attorney in the Maricopa Co. Public Defender's office who has experience representing adults in felony matters and is currently representing young adults in the JTOP program.

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

Juvenile in Adult Court

CLE Hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

ETHICS: Intro to Autism

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

San Pedro

This class provides an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder, emphasizing respectful terminology, early diagnosis, and the wide range of behavioral, social, sensory, and cognitive differences associated with autism. It examines the challenges autistic individuals and their families face in legal contexts, including communication barriers, vulnerability, family advocacy burdens, and interactions with schools, law enforcement, courts, and care systems. Through real-world case vignettes, the course highlights practical communication strategies and explores broader legal and social issues such as employment, privacy, family law, mental health proceedings, and the need for more tailored justice system responses.

Faculty

Eileen Spangrud

Partner, Davis Miles

Eileen Spangrud is a criminal and juvenile defense attorney at Davis Miles, PLLC, practicing law since 2007.

Ron Jones

Attorney, Davis Miles

Ron Jones is an equity and managing partner at Davis Miles, PLLC, practicing law since 1990.

Luke Finch

Attorney, Davis Miles

Luke finch is a commercial and civil litigation attorney at Davis Miles, practicing law since 2016.

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

Mental Health

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

8:15am MST

ETHICS: Juror Investigations by MCAO

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

San Pedro

In a homicide case, MCAO asked the court to strike for some potential jurors for cause, but the court did denied their request and did not strike them. MCAO then used their access to law enforcement databases to investigate those jurors solely for the purpose of gaining private information to be used in another attempt to have them removed for cause. We will discuss the litigation, the pleadings, the outcomes, and what it means for jury selection in the future.

Faculty

Victoria Washington

Attorney, Masada Law

Started with the Maricopa County Public Defender's Office in 1997, hung out there for a LONG time and wore a few hats. Went itno the Capital Litigation Unit in 2003. Left the Office, started her own firm where she is contract counsel with a Capital Defense and Major Felony Contract... Read More →

Kellie Sanford

Attorney, Kellie Sanford Law

Kellie also started out with the Maricopa Co. Public Defender . She also has her own firm, has a Major Felony Contract and has recently completed a death penalty trial in Maricopa Co..

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

Jury

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Extradited Innocence - The Case of Javier Lorenzano-Nunez

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

San Pedro

Javier is a Mexican national who was kidnapped off the streets and Tijuana, extradited to Maricopa County and charged with a cold case homicide from 1998. Through extensive investigation, work, and motions, MCAO ultimately dismissed the case. Javier is innocent. We will discuss the egregious misconduct by both PPD and MCAO, what to watch out for in cold case investigations, what investigation you need to do yourself, and motions practice for an innocent client.

Faculty

Bill Daniels

Investigator, Maricopa Co. Legal Advocate

Retired Homicide investigation from California, current homicide investigator at OLA

Jessica Valdivia-Luna

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Legal Advocate

Homicide Attorney, Office of the Legal Advocate

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

Investigation

CLE Hours 1.5

1:30pm MST

How Immigration Law Can Affect Parents and Children in Dependency Cases

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

San Pedro

This class will give a basic overview of the intersection between dependency law and immigration law, but it will also cover the effect of a child’s immigration status on a dependency case; how an immigration determiner may affect a child or a parent who is involved in a dependency proceeding; etc. The class will focus not only on generalities, but also on specific ways that attorneys can facilitate reunification despite their client’s immigration status.

Faculty

Valentina Restrepo Montoya

Attorney, Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services

Marissa Anderson

Attorney, AZ Legal Women and Youth Services

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

Dependency

CLE Hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

Capital Case Law Update

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

San Pedro

Annual review of court decisions in capital cases.

Faculty

Jennifer Y. Garcia

Attorney, Federal Public Defender

Jennifer Y. Garcia is an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Capital Habeas Unit of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Arizona. She has been an attorney with that office since 2004, and also worked in the office as a legal clerk while attending law school. After... Read More →

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

Capital

CLE Hours 1.5

8:15am MST

Issues and Challenges in Juvenile Competency Reports

Friday June 19, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST

San Pedro

Juvenile competency in delinquency law determines if a youth has the cognitive maturity and mental capacity to understand proceedings and assist counsel and is a large component of an attorney’s delinquency law practice. This course is a review of the competency process and a consideration of the current issues a defense attorney should be familiar with when defending children in Arizona. It will also explore how to challenge expert reports and conclusions in a contested evidentiary hearing.

Faculty

Lori Leon

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Advocate

With more than 16 years of experience as a juvenile public defender, I have dedicated my career to advocating for children and protecting their rights within the justice system. I have a passion for youth advocacy and am committed to making a positive impact and ensuring every child... Read More →

Jason Max

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Advocate

Friday June 19, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST
San Pedro

Delinquency

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

ETHICS: Opposing the Prosecutor's Firearm and Toolmark "Matching" Evidence and Testimony: How to Fight It, Limit It, and Make a Solid Record

Friday June 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

San Pedro

If your case has evidence of firearms "matching", this course will provide crucial information and a simple step-by-step process to challenge this dubious and unscientific evidence.

Faculty

Tom Glow

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Legal Advocate

Tom represents clients who are facing the death penalty. He has been a lawyer fo over 30 years. Yowch.

Friday June 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST
San Pedro

Forensics

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

8:15am MST

10:00am MST

Get help with the event