Here you fill find information about upcoming seminars and a link to request to register.
Upcoming Seminars
Administrative Office of the United States Courts
Federal Capital Trial Project
Fundamentals of Federal Capital Defense
June 16-18, 2025
Portland, OR
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Federal Capital Trial Project is pleased to announce the Fundamentals of Federal Capital Defense program in Portland, Oregon, from June 16 to 18, 2025. On-site conference check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, June 16, with the program starting promptly at 8:30 a.m. The program ends at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18.
This training is designed to introduce Federal Defender staff (including attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, and paralegals), as well as CJA panel attorneys and private service providers to federal capital defense practice. The program is a “death penalty 101” primer targeted for practitioners newer to capital defense work, focusing on developing a more diverse pool of capital defense attorneys and team members. This year we will also include some 2.0 sessions for those who may have limited experience but are still newer to the work of federal capital defense.
There will be large group plenaries and elective sessions with presentations on the unique skills necessary to provide high-quality representation to a federal capital client.
The program is aimed at relative beginners to federal capital defense. Attendance at this program will NOT qualify attorneys to serve as “learned counsel” pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3005.
As space is limited, there is an application process to register. Attendees will initially be placed on a waitlist. We expect we will be able to provide status updates within 14 days of your application. Upon acceptance, detailed information about the conference will be emailed to you.
Although we encourage those wishing to attend to apply at the earliest opportunity, applications for attendance are due no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on May 30, 2025.
The Attendee Registration Link is: https://cvent.me/azq0qP?rt=8jdgkYwYCUmi7C5tCVz35A
Note to Federal Defenders: Training is considered essential, and DSO encourages Federal Defenders to authorize staff to attend. DSO acknowledges the increased need for capital training with the current Administration and has confirmed this program as one of the few that will continue in FY25. Please share this announcement with your staff, your CJA panel, teams representing capital-eligible defendants in your district, and individuals involved or interested in becoming involved in federal capital defense work.
CLE and Conference Identification Number (CIN)
We have applied for CLE accreditation in states that have mandatory requirements. We regret that we cannot respond to telephone inquiries regarding the status of CLE approval prior to the workshop. All information related to CLE will be emailed to attendees within two weeks following the program.
To minimize reporting fees per attorney/program, if you are barred in more than one of the following states NM, TN, PA, NE, attendance will be reported to one state only. The attorney is responsible for making sure the appropriate state and bar number is on file with the DSO Training Division.
For applicable states, attendance will be reported using the bar number and state(s) listed on the registration form submitted for this program.
Failure to provide the state and bar number may result in the Training Division not being able to report your attendance.
For those attending from FPDOs, the Conference Identification Number (CIN) for this conference is CONF250042.
Questions? Contact cecilia_castro@ao.uscourts.gov
For teams with an active capital-eligible case, we will have two consultation rooms for reservation if you and/or your team would like to schedule a time to meet or consult with Resource Counsel. Rooms will be scheduled in 90-minute increments on a first-come-first-served basis. Please complete the request here: https://airtable.com/app8a38BNDHQ5vDZ8/pagKXVenxxGmr88xJ/form
You will be advised of your consultation room location and meeting time assignment closer to the conference.
Defense-Victim Outreach Basic Training:
June 18-22, 2025
Portland, OR
In June, the Federal Death Penalty Resource Counsel Project (FDPRC) and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Defender Services Office, Training Division (DSO-TD) will host a basic Defense-Victim Outreach training.
We are pleased to hold this training to continue creating a dynamic, diverse, and dedicated DVO community. Defense-Victim Outreach is a specialized field for which best practices are taught and experienced in person.
The training: The training teaches the practice of Defense-Victim Outreach, immersing participants in restorative justice principles, trauma healing awareness, and learning to listen for unspoken needs. We also explore ways to continue cultivating cultural competence/humility in the context of DVO work and how our principles of practice have evolved over the last 28 years. Participants actively engage with trainers and guest speakers, who bring added expertise and experience throughout the week.
Because of the increased interest in Defense-Victim Outreach, we expect more applicants than there are places available at the training. We will maintain a waiting list and let candidates know of their invitational status on May 21st.
The details: This full five-day training will begin at 9:00am, Wednesday, June 18, and conclude at 5:00pm Sunday, June 22, at the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center (375 NE Holladay St. Portland, OR 97232).
The requirements: Please read the attached Defense-Victim Outreach Overview, which provides summary information about DVO. If this work interests you, please complete the attached application and ask two people familiar with your work to complete the attached reference form. Please have the referees send the reference form separately – thank you!
Important dates:
May 7th – completed application and references must be emailed to krause.tammy@gmail.com
May 19th – if applying for financial assistance, please submit the attached request form to the Training Division (DSO-TD), which has a hyperlink embedded in the form
May 21st – applicants will be notified of their application status
May 22nd – participants will be notified of financial awards
May 23rd – hotel reservations must be made to secure the government rate
May 30th – if travel assistance is awarded, complete air or train reservations through the government contractor travel agency
NB: Please note the beginning and end times for travel considerations. Participants will need to travel on June 17th and 23rd. All participants are required to attend the entire training.
Lodging: The DSO-TD has reserved hotel rooms (at the federal per diem rate of $155), which is also the location for the training. A link to the hotel reservations will be sent with admission confirmation.
Financial Assistance: The Training Division of the Defender Service Office of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has limited funds available for financial assistance to those otherwise unable to attend this event. Priority will be given to candidates from underrepresented communities and/or geographic locations. Assistance is limited to the cost of airfare or other travel means and/or the cost of lodging. If you request financial assistance, please complete and submit the attached financial assistance application.
Please contact Tammy Krause at krause.tammy@gmail.com if you have any questions or need additional information.
Other Upcoming Training Programs