2021 Appellate Defender Virtual Training

The 2021 National Appellate Defender Training (ADT) will be offered an intensive, five-day virtual learning experience.  ADT is designed specifically for attorneys who represent indigent defendants in criminal and delinquency appeals in the state and federal court systems. This national skills training brings together court and appellate public defenders at the state and federal levels, assigned counsel, contract defenders, and Criminal Justice Act private attorneys for a multi-day program. ADT uses a "learning-by-doing" teaching methodology: participants will bring their own case files to work on during the program, and they will be asked to apply to their case the practice methods presented through ADT plenary presentations and materials. It ensures that you will improve, whether you focus on appeals or trials.  By the end of the conference you will have thoroughly analyzed the facts of your case, developed a persuasive story line to support your theory and begun to prepare a written brief and oral argument.

The 5 Day Training will be completely online. 

Who Should Attend?

This unparalleled fIVE-day skills based learning experience designed specifically for state and federal court public defenders, assigned counsel, contract defenders, and private counsel Criminal Justice Act attorneys who represent indigent defendants in criminal and delinquency appeals.

With the assistance of expert faculty, participants will analyze fact and law issues, develop case theories and themes, and incorporate them into their motion, brief, or writ drafting. ADT is the only national trial and appellate defender conference where participants work on their own cases, not just hypothetical problems. 

ADT Goals 

 The objectives are to assist appellate defense advocates in writing and delivering quality appellate briefs and writs, to improve the quality of appellate advocacy in the United States Supreme Court and other state and federal courts, and to provide a supportive national community for state and federal appellate advocates. By the time the conference is over, participants will have thoroughly analyzed the facts of their cases, developed a persuasive story line to support that theory, and begun to effectively prepare a written brief and oral argument on their case. This is the only appellate defender conference in the nation where participants work on their own real cases, not just hypothetical problems.

 Registration  Schedule/Enrollment