CPDA Annual Mental Health and Civil Commitment Seminar
October 30, 2026
UC Berkeley – Clark Kerr Campus
2601 Warring Street
In Person or Livestreaming Available
Get Directions to Campus
Park in the Southwest Lot — entrance off Warring St., next to Krutch Theater
6.75 Hours MCLE
1.0 Hour Ethics
.5 Hour Technology
REGISTER NOW
This seminar brings together experienced public defenders, social workers, and mental health advocates to share practical strategies and emerging technologies. Attendees will gain insight into advanced and effective advocacy tools for clients facing civil commitment or mental health-related criminal proceedings, and leave with increased knowledge and capacity to deliver stronger, more informed representation to some of our most vulnerable clients.
This day of training includes a mix of legal expertise and interdisciplinary perspectives to support the entire defense team. This training is available in person or via live-stream. Breakfast and lunch in the private Garden Patio is provided.
Members: $225
Premium Members: $190
Non-Members: $275
Program Schedule (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
| 8:00 am |
Registration — The Garden Room (Bldg. 10)
View Campus Map (PDF) — Garden Room is Bldg. 10, near the Dining Hall
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| 8:50 am |
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Opening Remarks
Stephanie Regular
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| 9:00–10:30 am |
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NGI Trials: Nuts & Bolts
Rebecca Kahan
1.5 hr. MCLE
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| 10:30–10:45 am |
Break
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| 10:45 am–12:15 pm |
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Briefs, Bots, and Boundaries: AI Ethics for Attorneys and Experts in Mental Health Litigation
Dr. Benjamin J. Silber, Ph.D.
1.5 hr. MCLE (1.0 hr. Legal Ethics + .5 hr. Technology)
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| 12:15–1:00 pm |
Lunch Provided (Garden Patio)
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| 1:00–2:30 pm |
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Probate Conservatorships: Less Restrictive Alternatives, Capacity Communication and Conservatee's Rights
Bill Lenehan
1.5 hr. MCLE
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| 2:30–2:45 pm |
Break
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| 2:45–4:00 pm |
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Regional Center Litigation
Susan Sindelar & Dr. Julie Sanchez
1.25 hr. MCLE
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| 4:00–5:00 pm |
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Now What? Changes to MHD (AB46)
Discussion Moderated by
Alex Friedman & Sandra Bisignani
1.0 hr. MCLE
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| 5:00 pm |
Closing Remarks
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| 5:00–7:00 pm |
No Host Happy Hour — Henry's Bar at The Graduate Hotel
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Seminar Organizers and Faculty
Click a photo to view the full bio. Remaining headshots and bios coming soon.
Criminal Law Legal Specialization Credit
Certified Criminal Law Specialists may apply eligible hours from this seminar toward their 36-hour LSCLE 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 |
Hours |
| Trial Advocacy |
1.5 |
| Substantive Criminal Law & Procedure |
3.75 |
| Total |
5.25 |
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CPDA is a California State Bar-approved MCLE provider under Business & Professions Code § 6070(b). MCLE credit hours listed reflect actual instructional time per State Bar Rule 2.51(E) and are subject to change. Certificates of attendance will be issued following the seminar; refer to your certificate for official reporting purposes.
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