Criminal Law Spring Symposium

Sentencing: What Really Matters to Judges?
(4:00 pm – 4:55 pm)

• Samantha Jaffe, Moderator (Assistant Federal Public Defender, San Francisco Office)
• Ravi Narayan, Moderator (Assistant United States Attorney, San Francisco Office)
• Hon. P. Casey Pitts (U.S. District Judge, San Jose Division)
• Hon. Rita F. Lin (U.S. District Judge, San Francisco Division)

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.

The Use of Expert Witnesses at Trial (5:00 pm – 5:55 pm)

• Ed Swanson, Moderator (Partner, Swanson McNamara LLP)
• Lloyd Farnham (Assistant United States Attorney, San Francisco Office)
• Richard Novak (Counsel, Law Offices of Richard Novak)
• Dr. Amanda Gregory (Associate Clinical Professor, U.C. San Francisco, Dept. of Psychiatry)

The panel of practitioners will discuss emerging issues related to the presentation and use of expert witnesses in criminal proceedings, with a focus on presentation at trial, including: practical tips for working with experts, conducting expert discovery, identifying and scoping proper expert opinions, distinguishing expert witnesses from percipient witnesses, strategies for rebuttal, complying with disclosure obligations under the recent amendments to Rule 16, and effective direct and cross examination of expert witnesses at trial, among other issues.

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Program; Reception with Appetizers and Refreshments at 6:00 pm
Location: Thelton E. Henderson Ceremonial Courtroom, 19th Floor, U.S. District Court
450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA
MCLE: 2 Hours
Cost:

• General Registration: $45
• Government, CJA, firms of 5 attorneys or less, and non-profit counsel: $15
• Judges, law clerks, court staff, and students: no charge (please register as a guest)

Seating is limited, register early!

CLE Written Materials: Available the week before the event on this website.

Questions: email [email protected].
NOTE: It is not possible to register via this email.