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

Jurors will provide firsthand experience about what it is really like to sit on a jury. They will help attorneys understand what happens during deliberations, discuss how jury instructions are interpreted, provide insight into common juror misunderstandings and bias, and offer tips for successful courtroom presentations.

Faculty

John Champagne

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Legal Defender

Christine Ortega

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Christine is an attorney at the Maricopa Co. Public Defender's Office. She has worked for the Office for approximately twelve years, handling all felony cases.

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

Jury

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

ETHICS: Small Wins, Big Results: Sustainability for Public Defenders

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

Xavier

Public defenders operate in a uniquely high-stress, high-caseload environment that demands consistent performance under chronic time pressure. This course translates evidence-based principles from Atomic Habits by James Clear and Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness into practical, attorney-specific systems for building sustainable habits, improving daily rhythm, and avoiding burnout. Participants will learn how to design friction-less routines, manage energy, and implement small, durable changes that compound into better courtroom performance, decision-making, and long-term career sustainability.

Faculty

Josh Messick

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

I am an attorney with the Maricopa Co. Public Defender's Office. My practice with the office has spanned the pretrial, trial, and appellate phases. I also have experience clerking for appellate judges at the federal and state levels. Beyond my usual work, I am focused on building... Read More →

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

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

ETHICS: No Fluff. No Woo. Stay Sane in the Practice of Law

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

Xavier

This is a practical introduction to mindfulness designed for defenders navigating real stress, real clients, and real deadlines. You’ll learn how your brain works under pressure—and how to work with it instead of against it. We’ll break down simple, science-backed tools to help you manage stress, reduce reactivity, and create more space between what happens and how you respond. Skills you can use immediately—in court, in conversations, and in your day-to-day practice. We'll meet you as you are, and you'll leave with something that helps.

Faculty

Courtney Collins

Attorney, Boyd Collins Law

Courtney Boyd is a dedicated defense attorney holding various defense contracts across the valley. Through the practice of mindfulness, she has transformed her legal career, enhancing both her professional effectiveness and personal well-being. Her experience demonstrates how mindfulness... Read More →

Elizabeth Maupin

Attorney, Alcock and Associates

Elizabeth has practiced for 14 years, beginning as a prosecutor and now serving as the lead misdemeanor attorney at a defense firm. She has worked extensively in mental health treatment courts and is committed to advocating for vulnerable populations.Outside the courtroom, Elizabeth... Read More →

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

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5
Ethics hours 1.5

8:15am MST

Developing Your Reputation as a Non-Lawyer

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

Xavier

Non-lawyers play an essential role in public defense, bringing unique perspectives and valuable skills to their teams and clients. In this session, we’ll discuss the opportunities and challenges non-lawyers face when shaping their professional reputation. Whether you’ve been in public defense for years or are just getting started, you’ll find practical strategies for presenting yourself authentically, building trust, and highlighting your strengths. This session will focus on real experiences and core values that help non-lawyers stand out as effective advocates and collaborators. Join us in a welcoming and supportive space to connect with others, share what works, and discover ways to develop your reputation with confidence and integrity.

Faculty

Jeni Benavides

Staff, National Association for Public Defense

Jeni Benavides is thrilled to work with the NAPD as an Executive Assistant. She previously served as the Training Coordinator with NAPD helping to organize training events and is excited to now apply those skills to the organization as a whole.

Prior to her work with NAPD her background focused on theatre, education, and activism. Jeni served as the Education Director at a local community theatre, and taught introduction to theatre part time at the University of Kentucky. She earned her bachelor’s in theatre performance... Read More →

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

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Challenging the Score: How to Identify Errors in the Presentence Report and Begin Breaking a Rigged System

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

Xavier

This presentation examines how presentence interviews and the FROST risk assessment tool influence sentencing outcomes. Participants will learn how scoring decisions are made, where errors or misunderstandings can inflate risk levels, and how to better prepare clients for the process. The course also offers practical strategies to challenge inaccurate reports and advocate for fairer sentencing outcomes.

Faculty

Julian Kanter

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Maricopa Co. Office of the Public Defender

Keenan Rambo

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Maricopa Co. of the Public Defender

Matt Warzynski

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

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

Sentencing

CLE Hours 1.5

1:30pm MST

The Karen Read Trial: What Lessons Can Be Learned by Watching a Trial in Another Jurisdiction?

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

Xavier

Watching the the Karen Read trial in Massachusetts taught me a lot about advocacy, what not to do, how to vet experts, the impact of legal commentators on YouTube, and the importance of advocating to preserve the record, even when it is hard. Join this lighthearted class to see what we can learn from watching other people's trials, even outside of Arizona. Plus, as a special bonus, learn why you should be checking YouTube to see if legal commentators are covering your case.

Faculty

Abigail Smith

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Maricopa Co. of the Public Defender

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

Courtroom Advocacy

CLE Hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

Peacekeepers: Mastering Conflict Prevention (De-escalation)

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

Xavier

This session is designed to equip participants with key strategies for handling conflict effectively and maintaining professionalism in tense situations. The goals of the course, include using strategic communication and empathy to defuse difficult scenarios. Participants will explore how to handle verbal abuse, while redirecting and adapting.

Faculty

Arlene Anderson

Trainer, Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender

Arlene Anderson is a Trainer with the of the Public Defender in Maricopa Co., Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude and a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. Arlene is recognized for her expertise in... Read More →

Corey D. Smith

Trainer, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

Corey Dewayne Smith is a United States Army JAG Corps veteran who has transitioned into criminal defense social work and leadership training. He is passionate about developing others and volunteers with several organizations that provide support and resources to leaders. As a nationally... Read More →

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

Professional Development

CLE Hours 1.5

8:15am MST

Sexual Normalcy and Highlights of Recent Caselaw

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

Xavier

We'll discuss how to use the defense of sexual normalcy in DCAC cases, proffering a defense expert to testify on the admission or preclusion on sexual normalcy, challenging the state expert's evaluation of client, and analyzing appellate issues that arose in State v Jennings, (expert allowed), and State v Harnage (expert denied).

Faculty

Erin Sutherland

Attorney, Pima Co. Indigent Defense

Erin Sutherland is an appellate attorney at the Pima County Public Defender’s Office where she has also taken on the roles of Training Director and Law Clerk/Intern Supervisor. While attending law school at the University of Arizona, Erin began her career in indigent defense in... Read More →

Tatiana Struthers

Attorney, Pima Co. Indigent Defense

Pima Co. Indigent Defense felony trial team supervisor, highly experienced attorney, and frequent child pornography trial litigator (State v. Mixton, State v. Martinez, State v. Ortega (appeal pending), State v. Fields (Chase), State v. Lopez, State v. Harnage (appeal pending)).

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

Sex Crimes

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Catching the Snakes: Using COBRA Data to Defend DUIs

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

Xavier

Learn what COBRA data is, where to find such data, and why it could be applicable to cases. The class is intended to provide practical solutions including pre-trial practice to build reasonable doubt in Intoxilyzer 8000 and 9000 cases.

Faculty

Greg Benson

Attorney, Chris Millar Law

David Salazar

Attorney, Maricopa Co. Public Defender

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

Vehicular

CLE 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

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