APDA Conference 2026

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

Sarah Takessian

Pima Co. Public Defender

Attorney

Find me on

TBA

CLE AND FULL AGENDA CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE

8:15am MST

Investigating and Defending Prison Cases TBARalph McLaughlin

10:00am MST

That’s InSANE: Limiting the Medical Diagnosis Hearsay Exception in Rape and Strangulation Cases in light of State v. JohnsonKevin Brady Die or DUI: Challenging Arizona's Arbitrary Limit on Justifications TBAEddie Zakreski

1:00pm MST

PLENARY: AI on Trial: Protecting Your Client from Digital Deception TBABrian Chase

3:15pm MST

Believe It or Not: Current Issues in Capital Trial Cases TBA Humanizing Our Clients Through Mitigation TBATeresa Boden • Cynthia Yializis First Impact: A Crash Course in Vehicular Homicides and Aggravated Assaults TBAAlfonso Castillo • Aurelie Couturier

8:15am MST

How to Be Legally Competent for Your LGBTQ+ Clients in the Changing Legal Landscape TBAMarshall Bryan • Audrey Baumgartner ETHICS: After Closing Argument / Post-Verdict / Post-Mistrial Practice TBASamuel Doak • Kush Govani • Maria McKee Prison as a Death Sentence: When the State Incarcerates Your Medically Vulnerable Client TBAJared Keenan • Laila Ikram • Olivia Hicks

10:00am MST

Oral Arguments: Preparing for the Podium TBAGrace Guisewite Prepare to Win: Pre-Trial Preparation TBACarissa Jakobe • Christopher Doran Spanish for Gringos: Spanish Words for Defenders Representing Clients from Northern Mexico TBADaisy Bustamante • Twyla Haggerty • Ariana Adams

11:45am MST

AWARDS LUNCHEON TBA

1:30pm MST

Cellebrite and Cellphone Forensics TBABrian Chase The DUI Trial: Taking Names and Delivering Results TBAJames Nesci

3:15pm MST

The New Dangerousness TrialsSarah Kostick • Adna Zeljkovic • Ashley Blum Psychopharmacology and the Law TBAKai Henderson Using Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) in Criminal Prosecutions TBADanny Evans • Emily A. Parker • Scott Boncoskey

8:15am MST

Interrogations and False Confessions TBATim Agan • Amy Ellingson Sexual Normalcy and Highlights of Recent Caselaw TBAErin Sutherland • Tatiana Struthers

10:00am MST

Nothing Is Insurmountable! TBADan Raynak ETHICS: Opposing the Prosecutor's Firearm and Toolmark "Matching" Evidence and Testimony: How to Fight It, Limit It, and Make a Solid Record TBATom Glow

1:00pm MST

ETHICS: The ERs of AI TBAPatricia Sallen

2:45pm MST

ETHICS: Dark Humor The Ethics of Coping TBAKacie Nickel • Madison Best