20th Annual Criminal Defense Trial Skills & Trial Law Program

Overview

20 Years of High-Quality Training!

Registration is required to attend. Details, including the agenda, presenters and approved CLE credit, will be posted here once confirmed.

REGISTER EARLY! This highly-rated, non-capital course will demonstrate how criminal defense is prepared and executed. Defense attorneys of all experience levels will find something concrete to take from this program to their next trial. Participants, after learning the techniques and law for each trial skill, will practice voir dire, conduct direct & cross examinations, and give opening and closing statements in small groups. A faculty of experienced Texas trial attorneys will mentor participants in the small group practice and conduct skilled demonstrations.

Registrants will receive a mock case before the program for use during the program practice sessions.

This program is funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Conference Co-Chairs

Erin Hendricks
Erin Hendricks Law
Dallas, Texas

Frank Sellers
Westfall Sellers
Fort Worth, Texas

A Note from Our Chairs:

"The purpose of this seminar is to give Criminal Defense trial lawyers the tools they need to be more effective in the courtroom. 

The faculty is committed to making sure that every attendee leaves a much better lawyer after they complete this program. This happens when attendees come prepared to make the same commitment to excellence – giving their best efforts and attention to the lectures, demonstrations and most importantly, the breakout sessions.

This is a seminar where we will all work together as a team to learn how to do our jobs better."

Who Should Attend?

With the exception of invited faculty, attendance is limited to 75 Texas criminal defense attorneys. Courtroom attire is requested each day.

Need funds to attend this program? Limited Travel Scholarships are available to reimburse travel expenses. Email CAIL Staff to apply (requests are reviewed first come, first served). Applicants must be licensed Texas criminal defense attorneys who regularly represents indigent defendants in criminal matters in Texas State courts. 

Topics and Presenters

View the Agenda and Faculty

MCLE Credit

The State Bar of Texas has approved this program for a total of 19.0 hours, of which 1.0 credit hours will apply to ethics/professional responsibility credit.

In addition to Texas, after the program (if requested) CAIL will directly apply for course accreditation in the following states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required: California, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Credit hours vary depending on the jurisdiction. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through attorney self-submission in other states, as long as course materials and evaluations are not required to be submitted.

Overnight Accommodations

The program will be held at our offices at 5201 DEOMCRACY DRIVE, PLANO TEXAS, 75024.

We could not secure a booking contract with a local hotel this year. Please find below recommendations of nearby options (we encourage you to book directly with the hotel).

Recommended Hotels (used by CAIL in the past)

Cambria Hotel Plano Frisco
7500 Parkwood Blvd, Plano, TX 75024
Distance from CAIL: 1.5 miles
Main: (972) 473-9010
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, free parking, fitness center, outdoor pool, free area shuttle, restaurant and bar, in-room microwave and refrigerator, sofa bed.

COURTYARD by Marriott (near N. Dallas Tollway)
6840 N. Dallas Parkway, Plano, TX 75024
Distance from CAIL: 0.9 miles
Main & Shuttle: (972) 403-0802
Amenities: Free high-speed internet, free onsite parking, local restaurant dinner delivery, fitness center, pool, breakfast, and dinner dining.

Additional Nearby Options

Aloft Plano
6853 N. Dallas Parkway, Plano, Texas 75024
Distance from CAIL: 1.2 miles
Main: (214) 474-2520
Amenities: free internet access, free parking, Grab-n-Go breakfast.

NYLO Dallas Plano Hotel (Hilton)
8201 Preston Rd, Plano, TX 75024
Distance from CAIL: 2.6 miles
Main: (972) 624-6990
Amenities: Free in-room and lobby Wi-Fi, free self-parking, fitness center, outdoor pool, restaurant, and bar.

HYATT PLACE Plano (near N. Dallas Tollway)
3100 Dallas Parkway, Plano, TX 75093
Distance from CAIL: 2.6 miles
Main & Shuttle: (972) 378-3997
Amenities: 24/7 restaurant onsite, meeting facilities, pet friendly, pool, free internet access, free breakfast for members, business services.

Other Information

Photo/Audio/Video Release

Registration for or attendance at this event acknowledges consent to be recorded or photographed. We reserve the right to use any photograph/video taken at our events, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. We may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, annual reports, newsletters, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject.

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellation must be received 5 business days prior to a program to receive a refund (Email: lgaspar@cailaw.org). After this date, no refunds, but substitution of attendees for this program will be permitted with prior approval. Registrants not entitled to a refund will receive the course materials. Note: Free registrants must attend the program to receive materials at no cost.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.

Privacy Policy

We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.