Continuing Legal Education

 

Past trainings:

  • Annual Jury Skills Training 1/29/11

  • Trial Practice & Techniques with Judge Young 12/15/10

  • District Court Trial Training

  • Immigration Consequences after Padilla

  • District Court Trial Training 4/8/10 - 6/8/10

  • Sealing CORI Records 3/17/10

  •  What Every Criminal Defense Lawyer Needs to Know about Melendez-Diaz 1/14/10

  •  District Court Trial Training 10/1/09 - 11/12/09

  •  Annual Jury Trial Skills Training 10/3/09

  • Cultural and Language-Based Defenses 6/2/09

  • Immigration Consequences 4/30/09

  • Ordinary Defenses, Not-So-Ordinary Defenses, and Extraordinary Defenses for Common Crimes in District Court 4/15/09

  • Rule 14, Discovery, and Pretrial Preparation 3/26/09

  • 1st Appearance for the Def: Bail & Other Considerations/Recent Developments in Criminal Law

  • Criminal Mental Health Issues 1/22/09

  • Jury Trial Skills - Fall 2008 11/15/08

  • DNA Issues 5/27/08

  • Jury Trial Skills 4/12/08 and 5/2/08

  • Recent Developments in Criminal Law 4/3/08

  • When Things Go Wrong at Trial 11/13/07

  • Discovery and Trial Preparation 10/4/07

  • Federal Ramifications of Criminal Convictions 10/23/07

 Trial Practice & Techniques with Judge Young 

Wednesday, December 15 from 4-6pm 

Moakley U. S. Courthouse,  Jury Assembly Room 

1 Courthouse Way, Boston

2 CLE credit hours 

 

Hon. William J. Young has spent nearly three decades on the bench in state and federal courts in Massachusetts. His trial advocacy workshops and publications have won national recognition. This training is produced in collaboration with the offices of the Suffolk and Middlesex County District Attorneys. 

 

 

District Court Trial Practice

October through December, 2011 (six sessions - 12 CLE hours)

     This is an intensive, ongoing course for attorneys who want to gain experience conducting jury trials.  The training is offered twice a year and is produced by SLJ in collaboration with the Suffolk District Attorney's Office and justices of the Boston Municipal Courts.  There is no cost for this course, but space is limited and participants must attend all sessions.

 

 

 

Immigration Consequences after Padilla

Thursday, November 11, 2010

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. 

Suffolk University Law School, Room 335

120 Tremont Street, Boston

Presented by Eduardo Masferrer

1 CLE credit for SLJ panel attorneys

 

 

 
District Court Trial Training
April 8 - June 8, 2010 
12 CLE credits * This training also may be used to fulfill the jury trial requirement for SLJ panel attorneys.

This is an eight-week intensive trial training designed for attorneys who have had fewer than ten trials. There is no cost associated with the training, but space is limited with only six spots available for bar advocates.  Sessions run primarily on Thursday afternoons at the Boston Municipal Court, Central Division. Participants present trial exercises based on a mock case before actual judges, and receive critiques from judges and trainers.  The final session features full-length mock trials with volunteer witnesses, judges, and jurors.  All panel attorneys are welcome to attend the final mock trials, whether to watch or serve as volunteer jurors.

 

Presenters and trainers include: David Frank, Emily Karstetter, Lisa Medeiros, and Michael Roitman

 

Sealing CORI Records

 

Wednesday March 17, 2010 
10:00 am - 12:00 pm 
MCLE, 10 Winter Place, Boston (Milstein Hall, main floor.) 
2 CLE credits for SLJ panel attorneys. 



Presenters: Renay Frankel, Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow with the Community Justice Collaborative, and Pauline Quirion, Director of the Greater Boston Legal Services Re-entry Project.  Moderator: Sarah McClean, SLJ panel attorney. 

After people are released from jail, have their criminal cases dismissed, or are found not guilty of a crime, they have a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information). CORI's have continuing consequences that perpetuate economic disadvantages, especially in communities of color. People with criminal records face discrimination when seeking employment and are often ineligible for housing. They lose many of the opportunities for economic mobility that most people take for granted. As a result, people with criminal records are often trapped in a cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Joblessness, underemployment, and lack of economic opportunity for people with criminal records or a history of incarceration have created an economic crisis in Boston’s communities of color. Indeed, the war on drugs, mandatory sentencing, and racial profiling have lead to racially disparate rates of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration. As a result, CORI has become a racial justice issue and led to a movement to try to revise antiquated laws that require a waiting period of up to 15 years to seal a CORI. The legislature has been slow to act and many financially strapped people need immediate help to seal their records.

This free training educates bar advocates on how to advise their clients about sealing records of both convictions and non-convictions. In addition, attorneys will learn to assist clients in sealing a case at the same time the case is dismissed, nolle prossed or results in a not-guilty finding.

 

 Please note: CPCS will not compensate attorneys for this service. 

 

What Every Criminal Defense Lawyers Needs to Know about Melendez-Diaz

 

Thursday, January 14, 2010

3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Suffolk University Law School, Boston

3 CLE credits

 

Presented by Senior Trial Counsel Stephanie Page and Criminal Defense Training Director Cathleen Bennett of the Committee for Public Counsel Services

 

 

Annual Jury Trial Skills Training

Saturday, October 3, 2009

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Suffolk University Law School, Boston 

 

Presenters include: Middlesex Supervising Attorney Dan Beck, SLJ Supervising Attorney James Corbo, Professor Chris Dearborn, Michael Doolin, Franco Gobourne, Professor David Siegel, SLJ Supervising Attorney Larry Tipton

 

 

District Court Trial Training

October 1 - November 12, 2009 (detailed schedule below)

 

This is an eight-week intensive trial training designed for attorneys who have had fewer than ten trials. There is no cost associated with the training, but space is limited with only six spots available for bar advocates.  

Classes alternate between lectures and student practice sessions (see below) and runs primarily on Thursday afternoons at the Roxbury Court. The final session features full-length mock trials with volunteer witnesses, judges, and jurors. 

 

All sessions held at Roxbury Court unless otherwise indicated :

                    October 1, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.                        Lecture: opening statements

                    October 8, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.                        Mock trial: opening statements

                    October 15, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.                      Lecture: direct and cross examinations

                    October 22, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.                      Mock trial: direct and cross examinations

                    October 29, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.                      Lecture: closings

                    November 5, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.                     Mock trial: closings

                    November 12, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.                     Final Mock Trials (Suffolk Superior Court)

 

Presenters and trainers include: Bruce Carroll, Michael Doolin, Anthony Ellison, Franco Gobourne, Nancy Hurley, Jill Klowden, Steven Sack, Robert Zanello

Cultural and Language-Based Defenses

Tuesday, June 2, 2009
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: CPCS Training Unit, 599 Washington Street, Boston
2 CLE credits
Instructor: Dr. Michael O'Loughlin, Boston University’s Interpreter Training Program

 

In our multicultural society, highlighting and explaining cultural and language differences can be the key to a successful defense. This class helps attorneys identify some common language and cultural issues, learn the obligations of the police in dealing with cultural minorities and cover how to find appropriate expert witnesses. 

 

Immigration Consequences

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Boston University Law School, Room 1570

765 Commonwealth Avenue | Boston, MA 02215

2 CLE credits

 

Presenters include Attorneys Eduardo Masferrer and Susan Church.

 

 

Ordinary Defenses, Not-So-Ordinary Defenses, and Extraordinary Defenses 

for Common Crimes in District Court

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Boston University Law School, Room 820

765 Commonwealth Avenue | Boston, MA 02215

2 CLE credits

 

Presented by SLJ Board Member & Panel Attorney Steven Sack.  

 

 

Rule 14, Discovery, and Pretrial Preparation

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Time: 4:00 - 5:50 pm

Suffolk Law School, Room 285

120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108

2 CLE credits

 

Chris Dearborn, criminal defense attorney, Suffolk Law clinical professor and SLJ Board Member, will speak on Rule 14 and recent changes to the pretrial conference forms used in the Boston Municipal Courts.  SLJ Board Member and Panel Attorney June Jensen will focus on other aspects of pretrial preparation and discovery.  

  

 

First Appearance for the Defendant: Bail and Other Considerations/
Recent Developments and Trends of Criminal Law

 

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Room 285, Suffolk Law School

120 Tremont Street , Boston, MA 02108

 Cost: $10

2 CLE credits

              

Presentations by Janice Bassil, Chris Dearborn, June Jensen, and Veronica White

Criminal Mental Health Issues

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Time: 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Room 285, Suffolk Law School, 120 Tremont Street , Boston, MA 02108

 Cost: $10

2 CLE credits

 

Presenters and panelists include:

  • Probation Officer Gregory Clifford, BMC Mental Health Court pilot program

  • Henry Eaton, Esq., Criminal Defense Attorney

  • Mark Gillis, Esq., CPCS Mental Health Panel

  • Dr. Robert Joss, Ph.D., Independent Forensic Evaluators

  • Dr. Jeffrey Miner, Ph.D., BMC Court Clinic

 

The training provides criminal defense attorneys with a rudimentary understanding of the legal, tactical, logistical, and clinical  issues involved in representing defendants who may be suffering from some cognitive or mental health deficits.  We focus on model approaches to identifying when such issues may be present and help counsel navigate the range of possible implications that such issues can have on the criminal case specifically and criminal process in general.

 

Jury Trial Skills - Fall 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Suffolk University Law School, 4th Floor Moot Courtroom, Boston

 

Attendance is mandatory for all SLJ attorneys who have not tried a jury trial to verdict since July 1, 2007, with some exceptions.  Registration is available on a limited basis to attorneys not required by SLJ  to attend.  Please note that attorneys who are required to attend may not use the hours spent in this course toward their annual CLE requirement. 

DNA Issues

 

Tuesday, May 27 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.  

Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Room 335

 

Presented by Brian Wraxall, Chief Forensic Serologist at the Serological Research Institute, and Larry Tipton, SLJ Supervising Attorney.  This course is geared towards attorneys with little experience in the field, but will feature opportunities for more sophisticated discussion as well.  

 

Attendance is good for 2 credits towards our annual 6-credit CLE requirement.  

Jury Trial Skills - Spring 2008

 

This is a two-part program directed towards lawyers who have completed two or less jury trials and have been on the panel for less than five years.

 

Part I

Saturday, April 12, 2008

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Suffolk University, Sawyer Building Room 429, Boston

Attendees may receive 4 credits toward their annual CLE requirement with SLJ.*

 

Classes and break-out groups.  We will teach cross examination skills, direct examination, openings and closing and case strategies.  David Siegel, Randy Gioia, John Salsberg , Rudy Miller and Others will be some of the faculty teaching this course. This date can accommodate up to 20 people.

 

Part II

Friday, May 2, 2008

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Suffolk Superior Court, various courtrooms, Boston

No cost

Attendees may receive 4 credits toward their annual CLE requirement with SLJ.*

 

Mock Jury Trials.  We will have jurors who will sit and hear the evidence and actors who will play the roles of witnesses, Police and Defendants.  They will come "in character."  This date can accommodate up to 10 people.

 

Last year we were unable to accommodate all of the Individuals who asked to do the program, those who we were unable to accommodate last year will be given preference.  You can do 4.12.08 and perhaps sit as a juror or help out on the acting for 5.2.08.  In either event, it's a lot of fun and we intend to learn a great deal.

 

* SLJ attorneys attending both days of this course may use the hours to fulfill their annual jury trial requirement for the current fiscal year.  Please note, however, that hours spent at a required jury trial course do NOT count toward the annual CLE requirement.  

Recent Developments in Criminal Law

        Thursday, April 3, 2008

           4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

        Location:  New England School of Law (154 Stuart Street, Boston) Room 301

                  Attendees will receive 2 CLE credits

        Topics:

           ·  Dwyer and Lampron motions

           ·  Crawford issues and Evidentiary Law

           ·   Fourth Amendment updates 

           ·   Review of significant Search and Seizure cases from 2007 - 2008 

        Speakers: June Jensen, Charlie Rankin, and Chauncey Wood

 

        Please contact Mary Lu Mendonca (mmendonca@sljinc.org or 617-348-0088) to register.  

 

When Things Go Wrong at Trial

 

Tuesday, November 13, 2007
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
MCBA Conference Room, 4th Floor
Cambridge Courthouse, 40 Thorndike Street, Cambridge MA  02141
Attendees will receive 1.5 CLE Credits
Presented by CPCS Senior Trial Counsel, Stephanie Page

Discovery and Trial Preparation

October 4, 2007

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

 Suffolk Law School, Room 385

 

Michael Doolin and others will review for panel members the basic preparatory motions on a case destined for Trial:  Motion to Suppress; Motion for Discovery; Dwyer Motion; Lampron Motions; Pretrial Conference Reports.  The process of "Preparing for Trial" may be different for each attorney -- the basic outlines of what items require advance preparation and how to do them will be reviewed.  CDs with sample motions will be distributed.

Federal Ramifications of Criminal Convictions (Criminal and Immigration Consequences)

 

 10/23/07 -- 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Suffolk Law School, Room 385 

Attendees will receive 2 CLE credits.

 

Over 90% of all District Court Cases which terminate in a Guilty Admission or Finding is done by a Plea.  While it may be close to impossible to detail for a client all of the anticipated and future ramifications of a plea, Federal Sentencing Enhancements are a known danger.  Likewise, Immigration and Citizenship problems are often the by-product of Criminal Convictions.

  •     What constitutes a "Guilty" for purposes of Federal Court and/or Immigration Law.

  •     What is the effect of a misdemeanor? What is a misdemeanor (Federal and State)?

  •     What triggers deportation?  What triggers exclusion from the United States? 

  •     What prevents future citizenship?

  •     How does a State Conviction for a misdemeanor (Assault and Battery or Assault and Battery on a Police Officer or a Firearm) impact a subsequent Federal Sentencing Hearing?

  •     What steps can a Practitioner take to avoid these hardships on our clients?

Wendy Wayne, an Immigration Specialist at CPCS,  Albie Cullen, a panel member and Federal practitioner and Susan Church, an Immigration Lawyer with Demissie and Church will be the featured speakers.

 

101 Tremont Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA  02108 ~ p: (617) 348-0088 ~ f: (617) 348-0099 ~ email us