MCLE Opportunities

February 19, 2025 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Hybrid
Presenter: Donna Chirco, ADI Staff Attorney
In this virtual program, ADI Staff Attorney Donna Chirco will discuss the definition of civility, its impact on our practice and advocacy, and more.

*1.0 Civility in the Legal Profession MCLE credit is offered for this training*

Registration Link

Registration will be open up until 2 hours before the event.

Hosted by FDAP
February 25, 2025 from 12:00-1:30 p.m.
While many sexual offense cases can seem hopeless, there are areas where we can attack injustice and overzealous prosecution in order to try to bring some fairness back to this challenging area of criminal law practice. Join SDAP Executive Director, Jonathan Grossman, and FDAP Staff Attorney, Bill Robinson, for a presentation that will address a range of issues in sex crime cases.

*1.5 hours of general MCLE credit & 1.5 hours of appellate & criminal specialization will be offered.* 

Registration Link

Hosted by FDAP
March 13, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Please join us for a 75-minute online training on how appellate counsel can identify and address the immigration consequences triggered by a client’s criminal conviction. We are pleased to have Alameda County Deputy Public Defender and Supervising Immigration Defense Attorney Raha Jorjani join us for a presentation on immigration consequences and the tools available to post-conviction counsel when the client did not receive proper advisements from the court or counsel. Raha will also provide us with key updates regarding applicable immigration law changes put in place by the incoming federal administration.

*1.25 hours of general MCLE credit & 1.25 hours of appellate & criminal specialization credit will be offered.*

Registration Link

The seminar will be held in person on October 10, 2025, at the California Endowment’s conference center in downtown Oakland. Join us for a day of criminal and dependency breakout sessions, a keynote speaker, lunch, and the opportunity to connect with your colleagues.

*Approximately 5 hours of MCLE credit, including appellate and criminal specialization, will be provided.*

Unless otherwise noted these trainings are intended for criminal defense team members only, including attorneys, investigators, social workers, paralegals, mitigation specialists, law office professionals, and other job roles on defense teams.

2/4 – Racial Justice Act Legal Updates
Presented by OSPD – 12:15 PM – 01:30 PM – Zoom Registration Link

Review of the year’s appellate court opinions addressing RJA issues, identify hot pending issues and provide tips on how defenders can respond to the arguments being seen from prosecutors, in both prospective and retroactive RJA cases, at the trial and appellate levels.
*1 hour of MCLE Credit is offered for this training*

2/11 – The New Age of Sentencing Part 1: Aggravating Factors
Presented by OSPD – 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM – Zoom Registration Link

Learn the most recent statutory and caselaw updates in felony sentencing. From dealing with aggravating circumstances to preserving the best record for appeal, this lecture will provide you with the necessary tools to best represent your clients at felony sentencing. This is Part 1 of a two-part webinar series on recent changes in felony sentencing.
*1 hour of MCLE Credit is offered for this training*

2/19 – Working with Prison Life Experts on Resentencing Hearings
Hosted by OSPD – 12:15 PM – 01:15 PM –Zoom Registration Link

Prison life experts can play a crucial role in getting your client a favorable outcome at a resentencing hearing. In this webinar, experts Adam Mortera, Jose Nogales, and Domique Tanks will explain how their lived experience and expertise could positively impact a client’s chance for success. At the end of this webinar, attendees will have an understanding of what to look for in their client’s C-file to prepare for these hearings, will be able to identify ways lived experience experts can explain programming and prison life to judges, and how these experts can work with clients to prepare them for resentencing proceedings.
*1 hour of MCLE Credit is offered for this training* 

2/20 – Defending Against Developmentally Disabled Civil Commitments
Hosted by OSPD – 12:15 PM – 01:15 PM – Zoom Registration Link

Welfare & Institutions Code section 6500 allows developmentally disabled clients to be committed to the State Department of Developmental Services if they are found to be a danger to their self and/or others. While these petitions are not common, it is important that those working in public defense know how to properly defend against these commitments. In this training, attorney Charlene McKinley-Powell will provide guidance on how to litigate these hearings. At the end of this training, attendees will leave with a general understanding of the controlling law, steps to defend against these petitions, and guidance on how to communicate with developmentally delayed clients.
*1 hour of MCLE Credits is offered for this training*

3/25 – The New Age of Sentencing Part 2: Enhancements and Beyond
Presented by OSPD – 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM – Zoom Registration Link 

Learn the most recent statutory and caselaw updates in the ever-changing landscape of felony sentencing. From dealing with enhancements to preserving the best record for appeal, this lecture will provide you with the necessary tools to best represent your clients at felony sentencing. This is Part 2 of a two-part webinar series on recent changes in felony sentencing.
*1 hour of MCLE Credit is offered for this training*

Racial Justice On-Demand Course
“OSPD is excited to open a new on-demand course on the Racial Justice Act. You will learn all the basics, refresh your knowledge, and stay up to date on RJA developments! These videos and written materials have been collected from around the state and are meant to help practitioners regardless of their experience in litigating the RJA.”

*Participants are able to earn up to 10 hours MCLE self-study and specialty credit.
Information & Registration Link

Defending Against SVP Commitments On-Demand Course
This course is intended for anyone in Indigent defense looking to learn more about Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) petitions and defending against these civil commitments. Those taking this course from start to finish can expect to spend approximately 9 hours to complete. However, registrants should also feel free to take this course at their own pace. Completion of this course earns 8.25 hours of general MCLE credits.

*Participants are able to earn up to 8.25 hours of MCLE self-study credit.
Information & Registration Link