2024 Criminal Law Symposium

COST: $40 General Admission. $15 for CJA Attorneys. No cost for AFPDs, AUSAs, judges, court staff, law clerks and students: please register as a guest.

The Practice Program for the Northern District of California invites you to a symposium on criminal-practice issues in our district.

Sentencing – What Really Matters to Judges?
(4:00 p.m. – 5:00 pm)

• District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley
• District Judge Trina L. Thompson
• David Rizk, CJA Counsel (moderator)
• Kyle Waldinger, U.S. Attorney’s Office (moderator)

Two of the newest judges to the District Court bench will participate in a moderated discussion about various aspects of sentencing. Topics include how letters of support or a defendant’s allocution affect the sentencing decision, the effect of victim-impact statements, how the probation officer’s sentencing recommendation affects the sentencing decision, how the new JSIN section of the PSR factors into sentencing considerations, how judges consider the Sentencing Guidelines, and what judges wish they saw more of — and less of — at sentencing

Negotiating a Criminal Case: Everything They Didn’t Teach You at Law School
(5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

• Ben Kingsley, U.S. Attorney’s Office
• Ilham Hosseini, U.S. Attorney’s Office
• Amy Craig, Partner, Ehrlich & Craig
• Dan Olmos, Partner, Nolan Barton Olmos & Luciano
• Ed Swanson, Partner, Swanson & McNamara (moderator)

Four seasoned practitioners will discuss how to negotiate a federal criminal case, starting with pre-indictment negotiations, including when a defense attorney should approach the USAO, what makes a good pre-indictment presentation, and when and how to bring a client in to meet with the prosecutor. They also will discuss post-indictment negotiations, including reverse proffers, mitigation presentations, the amount of discretion a line assistant has, and how to deal with one’s client or one’s office when negotiating a case.

You are encouraged to join us after the program for a reception.

MCLE: 2.0 hours General CLE. Please check this website the week before attending the session for written resources; hard-copy materials will not be provided.

Seating is limited, register early! If you have questions, please email executivedirector@northerndistrictpracticeprogram.org.