2013 Seminars

Jeremy Henner will provide a brief overview of the new Veterans Court, which is a specialized treatment court docket, focusing on substance abuse and mental health treatment, and providing the tools required to lead productive and law-abiding lives.

Many of the tools that criminal defense attorneys need for a successful practice are available at their fingertips. This session explores free or low cost web-based resources for research, information and investigation that every criminal defense attorney should know how to use. We will also have a demonstration on the Wayne County Circuit Court’s Odyssey case management system.

Do you have questions about when and how character evidence can be admitted? Want to know the difference between reputation and opinion evidence? Want to know when you can use specific instances of conduct and when you cannot? Come hear Judge Randy Tahvonen tell us.

A round table lecture featuring Nancy Neff head of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Felony Non-Support Unit, Katherine Strickfaden from the Domestic Violence Prevention Court, Erin Lincoln Friend of the Court attorney, Shelly Drain Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office PPO violations, Assistant Attorney General Felicia Courtright, and defense attorney Andrea Fanning.

This is a mandatory lecture for ALL attorneys who want to remain on the list or be placed on the list of eligible attorneys for Felony Non-Support cases, House Counsel in Judge Braxton’s courtroom, or for the Show Cause and PPO dockets.

Social media’s presence is everywhere these days, including in the courtroom. This session surveys case law on the admissibility of evidence including Facebook posts and twitter feeds, authentication issues relating to such evidence, and limiting instructions to jurors.

Do’s and Don’ts of Motion Practice will feature Neil Leithauser, one of our research attorneys and also the principal author of the “Defender’s Motion Book”.  This seminar will point out the proper procedures for the drafting, filing and argument of motions.  You will also learn what not to do.

Anne Yantus, Manager of SADO’s Special Unit on Pleas & Sentencing, will provide a legal update and practical advice on substantive sentencing law and guidelines issues.

In December of 2012 the Michigan Legislature passed over 300 bills, including bills dealing with crimes and criminal procedure. APA Emily Corwin, of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, will let you know what you need to know about the laws that passed during the 2012 lame duck session and beyond.

Always informative! Cooley Law School Professors Ronald J. Bretz and James Peden return for their annual engagement to update what’s new from the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Prof. Alan Gershel from Cooley Law School will analyze the recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court.