The Office of the Defender General conducts several trainings each year in criminal and juvenile law. They are usually held in December and June, although these times may vary. If you are interested in a particular topic, being a presenter at one of the trainings, or desire additional information about ODG trainings, please contact Anna Saxman, Director of Training, by email at Anna.Saxman@vermont.gov.
Please Note: Attendance at all trainings is by invitation only
IN-PERSON TRAININGS
JUNE 2024
June 12 and 13th in person training Agenda coming late spring
DECEMBER 2023
Friday, December 8, 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Vermont Supreme Court in Review, Strategies to Defeat ICE Detainers, Search & Seizure & more
Agenda
JUNE 2023
Wednesday, June 14 - Friday, June 16
Green Mountain Criminal and Juvenile Defense Institute
Agenda
NOVEMBER 2022
Friday, November 4, 9:30am-4:15pm
A Celebration of 50 Years of Public Defense
Pavilion Auditorium
Agenda
JUNE 2022
Friday, June 24, 10-4
Legislative Updates (1 CLE - 10:20-11:20am), Vermont Supreme Court in Review (1.5 CLE - 11:20am-12pm & 1:10-2pm), and Ethics (1.5 CLE - 2-3:30pm)
For more information, please contact the main office at (802) 828-3168. Attendance by invitation only.
Agenda in PDF Format
ONLINE TRAININGS
Friday September 13th 1:30- 3:00 1.5 CLE Video Link
Perfecting the Art of Telling Your Client's Story (with a focus on sex offenders).
Attorney Richard L. Jones has years of experience as a trial attorney in the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office and currently is on the team representing sex offenders.
Friday September 27th 1:30- 2:30 1 CLE
The ROCA program for youth in the criminal justice system,
Three people from ROCA: Solomon Baymon, True Allah and Martha Cutt, will explain what The ROCA program can do for youth – even those charged in Vermont who are from Massachusetts. ROCA works with traumatized and violent young men and helps them to avoid prison..
Friday October 25at 1:00pm- 2:30 1.5 CLE * Qualifies as Moderated Program on Vermont Practice and Procedure
Excluding and Diffusing Prejudicial State Expert Testimony in Sex Assault cases. Video Link
Madeline Grant and Ian Friedman, two top attorneys in criminal defense in Cleveland will discuss how to strategically and aggressively defend these cases from the point of investigation through trial.
Friday Nov. 1 at1:30- 3pm 1.5 CLE * Qualifies as Moderated Program on Vermont Practice and Procedure
Becoming the SFST expert in the Courtroom Video Link Handout PDF Procedures PDF Proficiency PDF
Anthony Palacios has twenty-five years of experience in DUI alcohol & DUI drug investigation, has trained thousands of police officers and has consulted with hundreds of criminal defense attorneys. He is a CLE provider for attorneys on the NHTSA Impaired Driving Curricula and how to identify mistakes police make in performing them.
Friday November 15 at 1:30- 3:00pm 1.5 CLE * Qualifies as Moderated Program on Vermont Practice and Procedure
The Triple Threat: Custody Fight, DCF Case, and Alleged Sexual Assault on a Child Video Link PDF
John Pineau, an experienced criminal defense attorney from Colorado and a Super Lawyer will discuss strategies for these difficult cases.
May 2024
Friday May 10th 1:30pm- 3:30pm
Taking a Second Look at Your Cases 2 CLE
Three very experienced Crime Investigators- formerly in the police and military and currently trainers of police will help identify what the police are not providing in the discovery they provide. They have worked on several cases here in Vermont and agree with what some of our other experts have said: the information we get has significant omissions and errors. Video link
APRIL 2024
Friday, April 12 1:30-3:00 pm
Aligning Criminal Defense with the Science of Addiction 1.5 CLE
Stephanie Tabashneck, Ph.D. is a Senior Fellow in Law and Applied Neuroscience at the Center for Law, Brain and Behavior at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School. Lisa Newman-Polk, is a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney who represents defendants with addiction issues and convicted murderers in parole hearings. Video Link PDF Chat transcript
Firing Back at “Ballistics” Evidence: Debunking the Validity & Admissibility of Firearms Examination
MARCH 2024
Friday, March 8 2:30-3:30 pm
Challenging police searches of devices and accounts 1 CLE
Sydney Thaxter, Senior Litigator at the NACDL Fourth Amendment Center Video Link
FEBRUARY 2024
Monday, February 12 12:00-1:15 pm
Juvenile Transfer Cases 1.25 CLE
Marshall Pahl, Deputy Defender General & Chief Juvenile Defender will offer strategies and law for opposing the state’s attempts to transfer up.
Friday, February 9 1:30-3:30 pm
Police Body Worn Cameras: Are We Really Seeing Everything? 1.5 CLE
Giselle Pomerleau, Litigation Technology Attorney, Office of the Federal Defender for the District of New Jersey, Camden, NJ. Video Link
Monday, February 5 12:00-1:15 pm
Updates on YOs 1.25 CLE
Marshall Pahl, Deputy Defender General & Chief Juvenile Defender will explain what you need to know about handling YO cases. Video Link
JANUARY 2024
Friday, January 26 1:00-2:30 pm
Guns 1.5 CLE
Update on guns -what types, what injuries they inflict and how to challenge the bad science of gun and bullet comparison including “pattern matching” and ballistic comparisons, Chase Carter, Forensic Training Unit attorney, Ohio Public Defender Video Link
NOVEMBER 2023
Wednesday, November 15, 1 - 2 p.m.
Finding Your Edge - Striking the Worst Jurors in the Hardest Cases 1 CLE
Martin Sabelli is a criminal defense attorney, former federal and state defender and a frequent teacher of trial skills and specifically voir dire at NCDC (National Criminal Defense College), NACDL and many other defense organizations. Our NCDC graduates rave about his voir dire presentations. Don't miss this chance to improve your voir dire! Video Link
OCTOBER 2023
Thursday, October 26 (mainly for investigators but attorneys and other staff are welcome)
10 - 11:30 am
Ethical Questions in Investigations 1.5 CLE
Chris Cutler, Investigator, RI Public Defender's Office
11:45 am - 1:15 pm
Social Media Preservation: Best Practices 1.5 CLE
Merrilea Place, Investigator, Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services
Thursday, October 19
Video of both the following seminars (one recording of both): Video Link
9:30 -10:45 am
Alcohol and Blackouts: The Science 1.25 CLE
Scott Lukas, Ph.D, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School
11 am -12:30 pm
The “Science” of Facial Recognition 1.5 CLE
Clare Garvie, Distinguished Fellow, Center on Privacy & Technology, Georgetown Law
MAY 2023
Friday, May 19, 2-3pm
Stress and Anxiety with Nancy Strong 1 Wellness CLE
Nancy Strong, an experienced therapist who works with Vermont Law and Graduate School, will present a discussion of the difference between stress and anxiety and ideas for handling both Video Link
APRIL 2023
Friday April 21, 1:30- 3pm
Racial issues in the Detention of Adult and Juvenile Clients 1.5 CLE
Alice Fontier, the Managing Director of NDS Harlem, a holistic public defense office and lecturer at Columbia Law School will present strategies to address racial disparities in detention (This seminar will qualify for Vermont's CLE requirement of Diversity and Inclusion Programming) Video Link
Friday, April 14, 1:30-3pm
DUI Defense 1.5 CLE
Avi Springer and Andrew Pappone of Rubin, Kidney, Meyer and Vincent will provide legal and practical approaches to defending DUIs Video Link PDF
MARCH 2023
Friday, March 31, 1:30-3pm
Othering and Complicit Counsel - Changing the Narrative: Ensuring Your Client is Judged on the Merits of their Case and not Their Race
Eric J. Davis, Chief of the Felony Trial Division for the Houston Public Defenders, experienced trial attorney, trainer and recognized as the “Best of the Best” by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (This seminar will qualify for Vermont's CLE requirement of Diversity and Inclusion Programming) Video Link
Wednesday, March 1, 1:30-3pm
Bail: Law and Practice 1.5 CLE
Paul Groce and Rebecca Turner will provide legal and practical wisdom on bail Video Link
FEBRUARY 2023
Friday, February 10, 1:30-3pm
Strategies for Representing State Defendants facing federal liability, plus credit issues and proffers 1.5 CLE
Sara Puls and Mary Nerino, Vermont Federal Defenders, will provide the information state defenders need to navigate the dangers in federal court. Video Link PowerPoint
AUGUST 2022
Wednesday August 31, 1:30-3pm
Discovery: Getting What You Need - Which May be More Than You Think! 1.5 CLE
Mary Kay Lanthier and Daniel Stevens will discuss ways to make sure you get all the material you need and are entitled to early and often. This seminar is designed for both new and experienced attorneys. Video Link PowerPoint
Friday August 5, 1:30-3:15pm
Discovering, Understanding and Explaining Trauma in Criminal and Juvenile Cases 1.75 CLE
James Garbarino, Ph.D., Maude C. Clarke Chair in Humanistic Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
Articles: Is it Self Defense? and A Model for Forensic Evaluation of Juvenile Violence and Type III Trauma: Toward a More Effective Conceptualization of Psychological Trauma
References
Video Link
MAY 2022
Friday May 20, 1:30-3
Preparing for Sentencing, at the Beginning, Using Effective Storytelling 1.5 CLE Video Link
Jennifer Sellitti, Director of Training for the New Jersey Public Defenders, faculty member at NCDC and presenter at NACDL seminars
APRIL 2022
Friday April 1, 1:00-2:30
Race and the Legal Profession 1.5 Diversity CLE Video Link PowerPoint
Bor Yang, Esq. is the Executive Director and Legal Counsel for the Vermont Human Right Commission where she litigates discrimination claims involving the state.
MARCH 2022
Friday, March 25, 1-2:15
Managing Client Relationships to Manage Your Stress 1.25 CLE - Wellness Credit
A panel of attorneys will discuss their successful strategies and also common mistakes in dealing with clients. We have a guest moderator, Mary Bullis who has moved to Vermont from Alaska where she was a public defender. Mike Shane from Sedon & Ericson in Chelsea will be joined by two Burlington attorneys with different styles, Peggy Jansch and Will Kidney. Video Link
FEBRUARY 2022
Thursday, February 17, 1-3
Understanding Pediatric Injuries 2 CLE
Dr. Arden, forensic pathologist
Articles: Cognitive Bias in FP and Non-Accidental Injury & the Mimics Video Link
Friday, February 11, 1-2:30
Preventing Detention and Bail under the Vermont Constitution 1.5 CLE
Appellate defenders Rebecca Turner and Josh O'Hara Video Link
JANUARY 2022
Friday, January 21, 1-2:30
Can Lightning Strike More than Once? Winning Speedy Trial Motions 1.5 CLE
David Sleigh. Video Link
Friday, January 14, 1-2:30
Update on Juvenile Law from the VTSCT 1.5 CLE
Appellate defenders Rebecca Turner and Sarah Star and Deputy Defender General / lead Juvenile Defender Marshall Pahl. Video Link
DECEMBER 2021
Friday, December 10, 1-2:30
Vermont Supreme Court in Review 1.5 CLE Video Link Supreme Court In Review PowerPoint Sex and Suppression Powerpoint
Appellate defenders explain the new cases from the Court.
NOVEMBER 2021
Friday, November 5, 1:30-3:30
Representing LGBTQ+ Youth in Vermont 2 CLE Video Link
A panel of youth, advocates and attorneys will present ways to improve our representation of LGBTQ+ young people.
NOTE: This seminar will satisfy the mandatory CLE requirement for Diversity and Inclusion Programming!
Friday, November 12, 10-11:30
The How & Why of Determining BAC 1.5 CLE
Darcy Richards, a forensic toxicologist will present an overview of how alcohol concentrations are estimated, including a review of Widmark, important factors, pitfalls, and current trends. Darcy regularly provides consultation and testimony in civil and criminal matters throughout Vermont.
OCTOBER 2021
Friday, October 8, 2-3:30
USSCT in Review 1.5 CLE Video Link
David McColgin and Barclay Johnson will give us the latest from the US Supreme Court.
Friday, October 15, 2-3:30
Using & Challenging Character Evidence 1.5 CLE Video Link
Mary Kay Lanthier and Larry Novins, VLS Evidence Lab professors.
Friday, October 22, 1-2:30
Interpreter & Translation Services: New & Improved in 2021 1.5 CLE Video Link
Training Outline
Vermont Judiciary's Language Access Operations Manual
Dawn Seibert, Will Kidney and Rebecca Turner will demystify accessing court and defense interpreters and translation services for clients whose primary language is not English.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Friday, September 17, 1-2:30
New Changes to the Appellate Rules on E-Filing 1.5 CLE Video Link E-Filing & New Appellate Rules PowerPoint
Rebecca Turner will explain the new rules on the record on appeal, new citation requirements, brief formatting changes, and more.
Friday, September 24, 2-3:30 - CANCELLED - RESCHEDULED TO 10/15!
Using & Challenging Character Evidence 1.5 CLE
Mary Kay Lanthier and Larry Novins, VLS Evidence Lab professors.
AUGUST 2021
Friday, August 20, 2:00-3:15
Trials and Tribulations 1.25 CLE
Join the conversation about how practice is going. Share your trial and court experiences with others and get ideas on how to navigate the next months. (not recorded)
JULY 2021
Thursday, July 8, 2-3:30
Ethics for Juvenile Law Practitioners 1.5 ETHICS CLE Video Link
Marshall Pahl, Deputy Defender General and lead Juvenile Defender
Friday, July 9th, 2-3:30
Appellate Update on Juvenile Law 1.5 CLE Video Link
Rebecca Turner, Dawn Seibert, and Sarah Star, Appellate Defenders
Thursday, July 15th, 2-3:30
Medical Records Revealed 1.5 CLE Video Link
Jennifer Grossman, R.N., Executive Director of Nurses for Social Justice, explains how to interpret, de-code and better understand medical records. For lawyers and investigators!
Friday, July 23rd, 2-3:45
Parenting Assessments 1.75 CLE Video Link
Claire Gilligan, PsyD,. is a licensed psychologist who specializes in forensic and clinical work. She prepares forensic evaluations to assist with family, criminal, and civil court matters and also has an individual psychotherapy practice.
JUNE 2021
Thursday, June 10th, 2-3:30
Vermont Supreme Court in Review 1.5 CLE Video Link
Appellate Defenders explain the new cases.
Friday, June 18th, 2-3:30
Understand and Evaluating Injuries 1.5 CLE
Dr. Jonathan Arden, a nationally known forensic pathologist, will explain how to evaluate injuries in criminal cases.
Thursday, June 24th, 1:30-3:00 Video Link Legislative Summary
Legislative Roundup
Matthew Valerio, Defender General
MAY 2021
Friday May 7th, 2:00-3:30
Practice Pointers for In-Person Hearings: Things You Need to Know! 1.5 CLE
Susan McManus, Chris Davis and Kate Lamson will discuss what's changed and how to effectievly navigate in-person hearings and trials. Video Link
APRIL 2021
Friday April 9th, 1:30-3:00 pm
Three Beers and a Benzo: Defending DUI Drug Cases 1.5 CLE
Devin McLaughlin, David Sleigh and Brad Myerson will present the best ways to attack these cases and win!
- Discovery and Motion Practice - DUD Cases. Brad Myerson Video Link
Friday April 23rd, 3:00-4:30 pm
What's Interrogation Got To Do With It? Defending Confession Cases 1.5 CLE
Deja Vishny is a highly experienced, award winning, criminal defense attorney, consultant, trainer, professor, and author specializing in homicide and confession cases. She is a faculty and board member of the National Criminal Defense College and lectures at criminal defense seminars throughout the United States - teaching cross-examination of police interrogators. Ms. Vishny attended the Reid School on Interrogation and teaches at the National Forensic College at Cardozo Law School. Her book, Suppressing Criminal Evidence is in its third edition.
Defending False Confession Cases Challenging Confessions of Mentally Vulnerable Clients Video Link
MARCH 2021
Friday March 12th, 2:00-3:30 pm
Speedy Trial Update & Motion Practice 1.5 CLE Video Link Slides
Josh O'Hara is an Appellate Defender and Chris Davis is a Public Defender in the Rutland Office - both are raising speedy trial issues for clients at the trial court and appellate levels.
Friday March 19th, 3:00-4:30 pm
Odyssey Encore 1.5 CLE
Jordana Levine is a Director and shareholder at Marsicovetere & Levine Law Group. Her diverse practice includes Criminal Defense, Family Law, and DUI/DWI. She teaches trial practice at Vermont Law School and Understanding Odyssey for the Defender General's Office.
FEBRUARY 2021
Friday February 5th, 1:30-3:00 pm
De-Criminalizing Domestic Violence Cases 1.5 CLE Video Link
Professor Goodmark teaches Family Law, Gender and the Law, and directs the Gender Violence Clinic at the University of Maryland Frances King Carey School of Law. Professor Goodmark’s scholarship has appeared in numerous journals and law reviews, including the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review. She is the author of Decriminalizing Domestic Violence: A Balanced Policy Approach to Intimate Partner Violence.
Friday February 12th, 1:30-3:30 pm
Odyssey Encore! 2 CLE Video Link
Jordana Levine is a Director and shareholder at Marsicovetere & Levine Law Group. Her diverse practice includes Criminal Defense, Family Law, and DUI/DWI. She teaches trial practice at Vermont Law School and Understanding Odyssey for the Defender General's Office.
Friday, February 26th, 3-4:30 pm
Defending DUIs - the Nuts & Bolts 1.5 CLE Video Link Slides
Jessica Burke, a former public defender in Virginia, is the founder of Burke Law, a statewide law firm specializing in Criminal Defense and DUI/DWI law. Susan McManus is a public defender in the Bennington County Public Defender's Office where she handles felony cases, DUI/DWIs and more. She is the President of VTACDL.
JANUARY 2021
Friday January 15th, 9:00 am-10:45 am
The Game of Thrones: How to Stand Up to Difficult Judges, Andrew Cohen & David Meyers (attys at Mass. Committee for Public Counsel) 1.75 CLE Video Link PowerPoint
Friday January 22nd, 1:30- 3:30 pm
Odyssey Encore! Jordana Levine 2 CLE Video Link
Friday January 29, 1:00- 2:30 pm
Juvenile Law: New Cases & Issues, Appellate Defenders 1.5 CLE Video Link
DECEMBER 2020
Friday 12/4, 1:00-2:30
Juvenile Update - Marshall Pahl - 1.5 CLE Video Link
Friday 12/11, 1:00-2:30
Legislative Changes: Good time, parole, furlough, home confinement and more! - Emily Tredeau - 1.5 CLE Video Link
Friday 12/18, 1:00-3:00
Wellness for criminal and juvenile defenders - Michael Kennedy - 2 CLE Video Link
NOVEMBER 2020
Friday 11/6, 1:00-2:30
Legislative Round-up - Matthew Valerio - 1.5 CLE Video Link
Friday 11/13, 1:00-3:00
Odyssey Adventure - Jordana Levine - 2 CLE Video Link
Friday 11/20, 1:00-2:30
Appellate Update on Criminal Law - 1.5 CLE Video Link
INVESTIGATOR ONLINE TRAINING
ODYSSEY ONLINE TRAINING
- Wednesday, September 30, 2020 (all documents are password protected with the same web page password)
- Training Video
- Executive Summary - eFiling Fees Study Committee Report
- Letter - Pat Gabel Response to LCJR Letter Rec'd 20-0828
- Synopsis of Odyssey Issues That Require Immediate Correction
- Rejected Filings and Copying an Envelope
- Efiling and Designating Yourself as a Service Contact
- Efiling Multiple Lead Documents
- Odyssey - Glossary of Terms
- Training Powerpoint
2020 Green Mountain Juvenile And Criminal Defense Institute - Online Training!
- Tuesday through Thursday, June 9-11, 2020
JURY TRIALS - CLE (1.5) - May 12, 2020 (password protected)
(Please note that this CLE was not recorded so there is no video. The following are documents only.)
Criminal Law Training
- Friday, December 6, 2019 - Montpelier - Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street.
2019 Green Mountain Juvenile And Criminal Defense Institute
- NOTE: MONDAY TO THURSDAY! June 10, 11, 12, 13, 2019
Juvenile Law Training
- Thursday, March 7, 2019 - State House - Montpelier
- Agenda in Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format
Criminal Law Training
- Friday, December 7, 2018
- Agenda In Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format
2018 Green Mountain Juvenile And Criminal Defense Institute
- June 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2018
Criminal Law Training
- Friday, December 8, 2017
- Agenda in Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format
Juvenile Law Training
- Friday, November 17, 2017 - State House - Montpelier
- Agenda in Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format
2017 Green Mountain Juvenile And Criminal Defense Institute
- May 30 & 31; June 1 & 2, 2017
- Agenda in Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format
Criminal Law Training
- Friday, December 9, 2016 - State House - Montpelier
- Agenda in Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format
Juvenile Law Training
- Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - State House - Montpelier
- Agenda in Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format
2016 Green Mountain Juvenile And Criminal Defense Institute
- June 1, 2 & 3, 2016
- Agenda in Word Format
- Agenda in PDF Format