Registration Fee: $150/Person

A discounted fee of $125 is available to offices registering 3 or more attendees.

Lunch and cocktail reception refreshments on Thursday, as well as breakfast and lunch on Friday will be included. Free parking is provided for all attendees.

Tuition assistance for financial hardship is available.

Accommodations

The room block at the Delta Hotel has sold out. NYSDA has secured a discounted rate of $219/night at the Home2 Suites Hotel. To book a room in the overflow room block, please use the link below or contact the hotel directly at (315) 733-1000.

NYSDA Room Block Booking Link

Please note that rooms are limited, and reservations must be made before January 23, 2026 to take advantage of the discounted rate, subject to availability.

Alternative Hotel Suggestions

Burrstone Inn: Reservations

Best Western: Reservations

Quality Inn New Hartford (budget option): Reservations

There may be availability at other hotels in Utica that are not listed here.

Agenda

Thursday, February 5

1:00 — 2:00 pm

CLE Sign-In (Lunch Provided)

2:00 — 3:15 pm

AI in Courts: Pros and Cons

Brian Cummings

Digital Evidence Resource Attorney

New York State Defenders Association

3:15 — 3:30 pm

Break

3:30 — 5:10 pm

Controlling the Narrative:

How Early Defense Makes for Better Family Defense

Melissa Madan

Parent Advocate Supervisor,

Family Defense Practice

The Bronx Defenders

Alexandria Nedd

Supervising Attorney, Early Defense Practice, Family Defense Practice

The Bronx Defenders

6:00 — 7:30 pm

Cocktail Reception

Friday, February 6

8:00 — 8:50 am

CLE Sign-In (Breakfast Provided)

8:50 — 10:30 am

Building Trust:

Collaborating with Clients for Stronger, More Successful Outcomes

Shalonda Curtis-Hackett

Community Outreach Coordinator

Family Defense Practice

Neighborhood Defender Services

Erin Erturk

Attorney at Law

Formerly: Family Court Bureau

Monroe County Public Defender

10:30 — 10:45 am

Break

10:45 am — 12:15 pm

Hearsay and Other Evidentiary Considerations in Article 10 Hearings

James Hinman

Assistant Public Defender

Family Court Bureau

Monroe County Public Defender

William King, Jr.

Assistant Public Defender

Family Court Bureau

Monroe County Public Defender

12:15 — 1:15 pm

Lunch (Provided)

1:15 — 2:30 pm

Giving Veteran Clients the Resources to Succeed:

Using Mitigation and Trauma-Informed Representation to Advance the Case

Yairelis Burgos

Mitigation Specialist

Veterans Defense Program

New York State Defenders Association

Nancy Farrell

Director

Veterans Defense Program

New York State Defenders Association

2:30 — 2:45 am

Break

2:45 — 4:00 pm

"MY CHILD'S ATTORNEY SAID WHAT?!"

Strategies for the Parent Attorney to Effectively Address the AFC's Position

James Hinman

Assistant Public Defender

Family Court Bureau

Monroe County Public Defender

William King, Jr.

Assistant Public Defender

Family Court Bureau

Monroe County Public Defender

4:00 pm

Closing Remarks & CLE Sign-Out

CLE credit information will be shared in the coming weeks.

This program is intended for defense attorneys in criminal and family court practice and other members of the defense team, including investigators, paralegals, parent advocates, social workers, and mitigation specialists. 



NYSDA reserves the right to cancel and refund registrations submitted by individuals who are not part of the public defense community.