 CDAM's Spring Conference is on March 8 & 9, 2024 at 3600 Centerpoint Parkway in Pontiac, Michigan. Attendees may earn 12 total CLE Skill Training Hours. The cost is $480 for CDAM Members and $600 for Non-Members. Those with CDAM Direct Billing Agreements Register Free. CDAM has two eight-hour Skill Training sessions on March 7th: A is For Attorney and Evidence Boot Camp E. The cost is $320 for CDAM Members and $480 for Non-Members. Your Case Issues, from 4-6pm, a CDAM Member benefit, free of charge.
Tracey Brame is Director of the Thomas M. Cooley Innocence Project and is an Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and Practice Preparation at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She came to Cooley Law School in February 2006 from Legal Aid of Western Michigan, where she was a staff attorney. Tracey served in varied capacities with the Public Defender Services for the District of Columbia, the Federal Defender Office, and the State Appellate Defender Office in Detroit. Her career began as law clerk to the Hon. Julian Abele Cook, Jr. in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan. Tracey served with the Alabama Capital Resource Center focusing on death-penalty litigation and also drafted racial-justice legislation for the state of Alabama. Dean Brame later brought her passion for justice to WMU-Cooley, starting the Access to Justice Clinic at the Grand Rapids campus in 2006. She oversees both this clinic and the West Michigan Public Defender Clinic. She finds time to teach elective constitutional law courses, and has served as an adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Community College. Dean Brame shares a large portion of her time with students from middle school through college, working with the 3R’s Program and UPrep High School, and with the Grand Rapids Cooley Campus of WMU. Tracey Brame is also a Past President of the Grand Rapids Bar Association. |
A IS FOR ATTORNEY | 9:30am - 5:30pm | 8 CLE Skill Hours | $320 CDAM Member/$400 Non-Member
Experience CDAM’s acclaimed new lawyer session. Learn what a new lawyer needs to know to begin practicing criminal defense: interviewing a client, setting up a file, nuts and bolts of criminal court procedures, Q&A. Morning session is procedure, working lunch. Afternoon session is trial skills. Click her to register now for A is For Attorney!
Lisa Kirsch-Satawa Faculty |
James R. Samuels Faculty |
EVIDENCE BOOT CAMP E | 9:00am - 5:00pm | 8 CLE Skill Hours | $320 CDAM Member/$400 Non-Member
CDAM’s Evidence Boot Camp E, ideal for lawyers with five or more years’ experience. These all-day, small group, hands-on, immersion trainings develop fast thinking skills, critical to introducing evidence in court. Limited to sixteen, paired into groups of two, attorneys work on fact patterns that focus on Rules of Evidence.It’s been said that if you know the Rules of Evidence, you can Rule the Courtroom. It’s true, and by attending an EBC, you will position yourself to Master the Courtroom.
Steve Fenner Faculty |
James Piazza Faculty |
YOUR CASE ISSUES | 4pm - 6pm | No CLE Hours Issued | CDAM Members Only |Just Show Up!
Stumped on a strategy? Have questions on a case? This is your opportunity to get feedback and assistance from an experienced CDAM trial attorney. Your Case Issues on Thursday, March 7, is open to CDAM members only and is free. No reservation needed -- just show up. Check in at the registration desk and CDAM staff will direct you to the meeting room.
 Rhonda B. Ives Faculty |
Michael Steinberg Faculty |
CDAM BOARD MEETING | 6:15pm All CDAM members are welcome to attend. Those interested in running for CDAM’s Board of Directors must attend a board meeting within the past year.
LODGE PARTY | 7:30pm
At Auburn Hills Marriott, Pontiac, lounge. Open to All Conference Registrants. Complimentary Hors D'oeuvres; Cash Bar.
FRIDAY Speakers & Events - All Plenary Sessions
9:00-5:00pm (8 MIDC-compliant CLE Hours)
8:30-8:45am Pre-conference tutorial on how to use the conference Whova App (no CLE accrued) by Cathy Gentry
9:00-9:30am Stakeholder Updates by CDAM President Arthur Jay Weiss and MIDC Executive Director Kristin Staley
9:30-11:00am KEYNOTE: Post-Conviction Cases: When Everyone Else Has Moved On by Tracey Brame
11:00-11:10am Break
11:10-12:00pm C.S.C. Cold Case Investigations: Common Issues and Discovery by Michael D. Hills
12:00-1:00pm LUNCH OPTIONS:
Working Lunch -- SADO's Web of Knowledge by CDRC Manager Kathy Swedlow
Group Lunch
Lunch on Your Own
1:00-1:30pm Stakeholder Updates by MAACS Executive Director Bradley Hall and SADO CDRC Manager Kathy Swedlow
1:30-2:20pm False Memories: Key Principles for Defense Attorneys by Kimberly Fenn
2:20-2:30pm Break
2:30-3:20pm The Legend on Ron Burgundy: Cold Rape=Shield Issue Heard by Michigan Supreme Court by Julia Kelly and Britt Cobb
3:20-5:00pm The Colorado Jury Selection Method: Winning Challenges for Cause by Erin Phillips
Stakeholder Updates
 Arthur J. Weiss |
Kristen Staley MIDC Executive Director |
KEYNOTE Post-Conviction Cases: When Everyone Else Has Moved On Tracey Brame Grand Rapids, MI | Description: I will talk about the importance of post-conviction work, how it differs from trial and direct appeal work, and suggestions for the successful disposition of cases. I will also talk about the unique challenges of working with clients, law enforcement and prosecutors on old cases. Take-Always: • Post-conviction work is a worthwhile and critically important endeavor. • Factors to consider when taking on post-conviction cases. • Keep the Clients top of mind when you get tired and frustrated. |
C.S.C. Cold Case Investigations Common Issues and Discovery
Michael D. Hills Kalamazoo, MI | Description: We will explore the S.A.K.I. (sexual assault kit initiative) method of re-investigating and charging cold case rape allegations as an example or template for handling your future cold case clients. We will take a close look at cold case discovery problems, how to dig in and litigate them. We will discuss the methods of proof and the possibility of getting your case dismissed on discovery violations – but if not a dismissal, using discovery violations to your advantage. We will discuss the top line discovery cases of Youngblood and Brady and then dive down into supporting cases and the details you need to litigate the discovery violations you discover. Take-Aways • Be proactive with your discovery. • Be aware of S.A.K.I techniques as they may be applied to other areas of criminal law • Use your discovery violations to inform your voir dire, opening, cross exam and closing. |
12:00-1:00pm GROUP LUNCH, LUNCH ON YOUR OWN, OR WORKING LUNCH: SADO's Web of Knowledge by Kathy Swedlow |
Kathy Swedlow SADO's CDRC Manager | Description: 100
hundred words of less: In this session, attendees will learn about the resources SADO
offers to criminal defense subscribers and how these resources can help them
with their work. We will review publications, training videos, model
pleadings, the brief bank, and the expert and misconduct databases -- as well
as a large collection of free resources SADO offers to people impacted by the
criminal legal system. |
FRIDAY Afternoon Speakers & Events - All Plenary Sessions
1:00-5:00pm
Stakeholder Updates
Bradley Hall MAACS Executive Director |
Kathy Swedlow SADO's CDRC Manager |
False Memories: Key Principles for Defense Attorneys
Kimberly Fenn East Lansing, MI | Description: Subjectively, memory feels pristine, as if it functions as video recorder. Actual memory, however, is highly prone to distortion and change. In this talk, I will discuss basic principles of memory and conditions under which memory can evolve or change, with a focus on false memory. I will also discuss subjective perception of memory and the inability to distinguish between true and false memories. Finally, I will briefly touch on traumatic memory. The goal of this session will be to increase overall knowledge of memory and memory failures and to highlight arguments often made by prosecutors, regarding memory. Take-Aways • There are several different forms of memory. • False memories can be created through several different mechanisms. • Individuals do not realize when a memory is false. • False memories are often accompanied with high level of confidence, detail, and emotion. • It is impossible to distinguish between a true and false memory. |
The Legend of Ron Burgundy: Cold Case Rape-Shield Issue Heard by Michigan Supreme Court
Britt Cobb and Julia Kelly Kalamazoo, MI | Description: Despite the passage of 10 years from the date of the offense to charging by SAKI in People v. Butler, defense investigators were able to unearth two prior allegations of sexual assault made by the complaining witness. The trial court ruled one of the two prior allegations admissible despite rape-shield and the issue made its way to the Michigan Supreme Court. Several other cases with similar issues pending in the Michigan Supreme Court were held in abeyance pending the decision in Butler. Britt and Julia are waiting for a decision following oral argument and will summarize the factual scenarios before the court, provide procedural tips on getting rape-shielded evidence admitted, along with any updates from the supreme court. Take-Aways • Follow the procedure in People v Hackett • What is needed in the offer of proof for an in camera hearing. • What is decided at the in camera hearing • Trial admissibility issues. |
The
Colorado Jury Selection Method: Winning Challenges for Cause
Erin Phillips Grand Rapids, MI | Description: Colorado Jury Selection Method creates a nonjudgmental respectful atmosphere that facilitates juror candor. Jurors come from different upbringings, communities, education, and experiences. They don’t check their beliefs and values at the door! This method links those beliefs and values to a legal impairment. Their inability to follow the law creates the basis for your challenge for cause. Because the focus is no longer whether they can be fair and impartial. The question is, can they follow the law?! This session will teach you how to draft a case critical question, how to identify impaired jurors, and how to use an individual’s life basis to get to the root of their legal impairment. Let’s win some challenges for cause! • Creating a nonjudgmental respectful atmosphere that facilitates juror candor. • Drafting your case critical question. • Getting impaired jurors to admit their inability to follow the law. • Using the Colorado Jury Selection Method to make (and win) challenges for cause. |
FRIDAY NIGHT
JOIN US FOR CDAM's Annual Awards Dinner
|
8:30-8:45am Preconference tutorial on how to use the conference Whova App (no CLE accrued) by Cathy Gentry 9:00-10:00am Michigan Law Updates by Jessica Zimbelman 10:00-10:40am Frozen Bytes by Adam Kelly 10:40-11:30am Memory Loss - There is a Defense by Anatase Markou 11:30-11:45am Break 11:45-1:00pm Michigan Sentencing Guidelines by Anne Yantus |
Michigan Law Updates
Jessica Zimbelman Lansing, MI | Description: Jessica Zimbelman will discuss the noteworthy Michigan cases and opinions in criminal cases in 2023. Hundreds of hours are spent each year compiling Michigan Law Updates, so you don't have to. |
Frozen Bytes
Adam Kelly Lansing, MI | Description: Old cases containing remnants of technology can be challenging. Mr. Kelly will share some of his experiences identifying important, overlooked, lost technology evidence. Take-Aways: • Police reports can provide helpful insight • Your client can be a useful resource • Old
technology examined with new tools may provide a new look at the evidence |
Law Enforcement Memory Loss - There is a Defense Kalamazoo, MI | Description: Cold cases can create a variety of problems due to the lapse in time. One problem that can occur is the loss of memory of witnesses. That loss of memory can sometimes help the defense but oftentimes it can problems in defending the accusations. Typically, police officers will just claim to “remember” prior interviews and the details of the investigation. What happens when an officer cannot remember an “exculpatory” interview or details of an investigation that actually help the defense, even after reviewing documents to try to refresh memory? What remedy is there for the defense? This session will discuss ways to try to use the loss of memory of law enforcement for the defense. |
Anastase
MarkouSentencing Guidelines Anne Yantus Dearborn, MI | Description: Updates on all areas of Michigan sentencing law including new decisions, amended court rules, new legislation, and more! |
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW AND HOTEL INFORMATION
Dates Friday, March 8, 2024 from 9-5:00pm (8 MIDC-compliant CLE annual hours) Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 9-1:00pm (4 MIDC-compliant CLE annual hours)
Location and Hotel Information Auburn Hills Marriott, Pontiac is our host hotel. Address: 3600 Centerpoint Parkway, Pontiac, MI. Book your group rate for CDAM 2024. CDAM group rates are good through February 21, 2024, or earlier if CDAM's block of rooms are sold out. Rates start at $132++ USD per night (pending availability -- so book soon!). Registration Information/Links/Scholarship/Menu Conference Price CDAM Member $480/Conference Price Non-Member $600 | CLE Hours Accrued: 12.0
A is for Attorney (8 MIDC approved Skill Training hours) on Thursday, March 7, 2024, is an additional $320 for a CDAM member and $400 for non-member. 0pen to all. Register by clicking here. Evidence Boot Camp E (8 MIDC approved Skill Training Hours) on Thursday, March 7, 2024, is an additional $320 for a CDAM member and $400 for a non-member. Register by clicking here. Scholarships are available to CDAM Members. Click here to apply! No refunds after Friday, February 23, 2024. After the conference, all registrants will receive a recording of this conference. |
Continuing Legal Education Credit Hours One credit hour is accrued for each hour of CLE training: 12.0 maximum hours available. CLE forms can be obtained by visiting the MIDC vendor table. Attorneys are responsible for completing the form and submitting it to the person responsible for tracking their CLE hours. Attorneys are advised to keep a copy of their CLE form. CLE hours are good through 2024. Conference Materials Materials will be emailed to each registrant through Whova after the cancellation deadline. The deadline to order printed materials is February 23, 2024, and and will be distributed at the conference during check-in. Click here for CDAM's At A Glance Schedule! For Assigned Counsel and Public Defenders Some county/court funding units will pay for part, or all, of the cost of your registration. It is up to you to contact your local funding unit to determine what is applicable to you and what payment or reimbursement method you will need to use. If you do not know the contact information for your court’s local funding unit, contact Deborah Mitchell at the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission at 517-657-3066 or email her at MitchellD20@Michigan.gov. If you email, use the subject line “CDAM.” Registration and/or Questions |
|
|
|
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
 |
|
|
|
|
