CPDA's Annual Homicide Defense Practice Seminar

Friday & Saturday, September 18–19, 2026

Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice · University of San Diego

9.5 Hours MCLE

Join leading homicide defense practitioners for two days of intensive, practical training on the most challenging issues in homicide defense. From evolving theories of manslaughter liability and gang homicide defense to forensic evidence, record-making, and compelling trial narrative, this institute equips defenders with strategies they can put to use immediately.

CPDA Members $260

Non-Members $325

Available In-Person or Live Streamed

Program Schedule (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Friday, September 18

1:15–1:30 pm

Welcome & Logistics — Heather Rogers and Yarrow Neubert

1:30–2:15 pm

Beyond Malice: The Expanding Boundaries of Manslaughter

Charles Denton · Alameda County Public Defender's Office

.75 hr. MCLE

i Description

2:15–2:20 pm

Break (5 minutes)

2:20–3:50 pm

Beyond Malice: A Case Study in Challenging Murder Liability – Part I: Involuntary Manslaughter

Anita Nabha & Dr. Artha Gillis

1.5 hr. MCLE

i Description

3:50–4:00 pm

Break (10 minutes)

4:00–5:00 pm

AB 333 and Gang Homicide Defense: Strategies, Challenges, and Opportunities

Souley Diallo · Diallo Law Firm

1.0 hr. MCLE · Elimination of Bias

i Description

5:30 pm

Mixer — No Host Bar — Location Provided to Registrants

Saturday, September 19

8:30–9:00 am

Coffee and Continental Breakfast

9:00–10:15 am

Weaving a Compelling Narrative from Opening to Closing in an Implied Malice Case

Darryl Exum · Criminal Defense Attorney, Riverside

1.0 hr. MCLE

i Description

10:15-10:20 am

Break (5 minutes)

10:20–11:20 am

Year in Review: Homicide Case Law Updates

Allison Lowe · Riverside County Public Defender's Office

1.0 hr. MCLE

i Description

11:20–11:30 am

Break (10 minutes)

11:30 am–12:30 pm

Is It Junk, or Is It Science? Challenging Forensic Evidence in Homicide Cases

Georgina Wakefield · Larson LLP

1.0 hr. MCLE

i Description

12:30–1:30 pm

Lunch Provided

1:30–2:30 pm

Civility for Warriors, Wanderers, and Writers Alike

La Mer Kyle-Griffiths · Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office

1.0 hr. MCLE · Civility

2:30–2:35 pm

Break (5 minutes)

2:35–3:35 pm

How to Make Your Record in a Homicide Trial When the Judge Is Shutting You Down

Tammy Higgins · SoCal Defense Lawyer

1.0 hr. MCLE

i Description

3:35–3:45 pm

Break (10 minutes)

3:45–4:45 pm

Beyond Malice: A Case Study in Challenging Murder Liability – Part II: Voluntary Manslaughter

Alexandra Knudson and Cassandra Leon · San Diego County Public Defender's Office

1.0 hr. MCLE

i Description

Seminar Organizers

Heather Rogers Public Defender Santa Cruz County i Bio

Yarrow Neubert Chief Deputy Public Defender Sonoma County i Bio

Featured Faculty

Charles Denton Deputy Public Defender Alameda County i Bio	Anita Nabha Managing Attorney SF Public Defender's Office i Bio	Dr. Artha Gillis Forensic Psychiatrist Los Angeles, CA i Bio	Souley Diallo Criminal Defense Attorney Diallo Law Firm i Bio
Darryl Exum Criminal Defense Attorney Riverside, CA i Bio	Allison Lowe Deputy Public Defender Riverside County i Bio	Georgina Wakefield Trial Lawyer Larson LLP i Bio	La Mer Kyle-Griffiths Division Leader, Training Division LA County Public Defender i Bio
Tammy Higgins Founder SoCal Defense Lawyer i Bio	Alexandra Knudson Deputy Public Defender San Diego County i Bio	Cassandra Leon Litigation Paralegal San Diego County i Bio

Criminal Law Legal Specialization Credit

Certified Criminal Law Specialists may apply eligible hours from this seminar toward their 36-hour Criminal Law Specialization requirement. The breakdown below maps each session to its content area for specialist reporting purposes; refer to your certificate of attendance for the hours actually accredited.

LSCLE Subject Area	Friday	Saturday	Total
Trial Advocacy	1.0	3.0	4.0
Evidence	0	1.0	1.0
Substantive Criminal Law & Procedure	2.25	2.0	4.25
Writs, Appeals & Ancillary Proceedings	0	0	0
Total	3.25	6.0	9.25

This program has been approved for 9.5 hours of MCLE credit by the State Bar of California, including 1.0 hour Elimination of Bias and 1.0 hour Civility.