2010 Defender Conference: Fulfilling Gideon's Promise

Registration Now Open! Click here for the complete schedule and brochure.

 “The United States Supreme Court says I am entitled to be represented by Counsel.”

Clarence Earl Gideon (Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963)

“Yet 45 years after Gideon, we continue our efforts to fulfill Gideon’s promise.”

Hon. Tom Chambers (State v. A.N.J.)

The 2010 Defender Conference will focus on emerging issues in criminal defense and examine what is being done in Washington State to meet the promises that were laid out by the United States Supreme Court in 1963, adopted by the WSBA in 2007 and affirmed this year by our Supreme Court.

This year’s program will feature speakers and topics designed to improve your defense and help fulfill those promises.

• Indigent Defense: Steven Wax will speak on his work as a public defender working for those accused in the war on terrorism and his experiences as the Federal Defender for Oregon State.  You can read more about his work at Guantanamo by reading his book, Kafka Comes to America.

• Trial Advocacy: Andy Robertson will speak about the importance of developing theory and theme and how to get a jury to listen and accept your story. Chris Jackson and Magda Baker will speak about how using the writ process can positively impact your practice.

• Competent Representation of Counsel: Our ethics program will focus on issues raised in State v. ANJ and Padilla v. Kentucky.  Wes Richards will speak about the ethics of representing the mentally ill which requires counsel to investigate, retain experts if needed, and to establish a relationship with the client.  Cindy Arends and Amy Muth will address plea negotiations and investigations.  Ann Benson will address competent immigration advice in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in Padilla.

• Forensic Evidence: Our investigation track will focus on the aftermath of the National Academy of Sciences Report and how to shape your cases that involve forensic science.  We will hear from experts who examine evidence in the context of criminal cases and from professors from Seattle University who teach forensic science from a sociological and scientific perspective.

• Mental Health and Mitigation Evidence: Simmie Baer, Marty Beyer and Kim Cronin will speak on how understanding brain development, mental health issues and mitigation evidence can impact your case preparation and trial strategies.

• Juvenile Justice:  Team Child’s juvenile track will focus on issues unique to juvenile justice and how understanding your client’s capacity can have profound impact on the outcome of your cases.