Upcoming Events
The following events may be of interest to panel attorneys and generally provide MCLE credit.
MCLE Programs Offered by Appellate Projects
An Appealing Life: Are State-Appointed Appeals for You?
February 10, 2026 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Remote
Hosted by San Diego County Bar Association
Join staff attorneys from Appellate Defenders, Inc. (“ADI”) for an in-depth overview of California’s appellate project system and the role of appointed counsel in criminal, juvenile delinquency, dependency, and civil commitment appeals. This program focuses on the practice of appellate law, including case assignment and screening, record review, issue identification, briefing standards, ethical obligations of appointed appellate counsel, and effective collaboration with appellate project staff and mentors.
Participants will gain insight into the procedural and substantive aspects of appellate practice, including navigating appellate rules, preserving and framing legal issues, and understanding how appointed appeals contribute to the development of California law. The program also addresses the professional benefits of handling court-appointed appeals, such as greater work-life balance, structured support from experienced appellate practitioners, and participation in a statewide community of more than 600 panel attorneys dedicated to high-quality appellate advocacy.
1.0 hour of general MCLE credit is offered for this training.
SDAP Seminar – Save the Date
May 1, 2026 | Remote
Please save the date for our annual SDAP seminar! A full agenda and registration information will follow, but this year’s program will include a range of topics, including the use of AI (artificial intelligence) in appellate practice. We will also have the opportunity to hear from Sixth District Court of Appeal Associate Justice Charles E. Wilson.
Training Opportunities Offered by Other Defense Organizations
OSPD Webinars
Understanding CDCR’s Compassionate Release Process and Procedures
January 27, 2026 from 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | Zoom
Dr. Michele DiTomas, Assistant Deputy Medical Executive, CDCR
Lara Kislinger, Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles Public Defender’s Office
In partnership with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, presenters will explain CDCR’s Compassionate Release procedures, relevant law, and best practices. Attendees will hear from an experienced practitioner and have the opportunity to ask questions of CDCR’s Assistant Deputy Medical Executive about how medical evaluations and compassionate release recommendations are made.
1 hour of MCLE Credit is offered for this training.
CADC’s Annual Conference and Seminar
March 20-21st | In Person
Registration is now open for CADC’s Annual Conference and Seminar on March 20-21, 2026 which will be held in-person only at the South San Francisco Conference Center. The two-day conference will be filled with informative and inspiring presentations, including the Project Directors Roundtable, a report from CADC’s lobbyist and criminal and dependency break-out sessions, providing a total of up to 8.25 hours of MCLE credit.
For more information and to register, please visit CADC’s website:
On-Demand Courses
New Racial Justice Act Online 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 receive MCLE Self Study and Specialty Credit for their hours working on the course (up to 10-hours).
SVP 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.