High Stakes Advocacy: Defending Against Sex Crimes Allegations

Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Clark Kerr Campus, UC Berkeley · Berkeley, California

5.0 Hours MCLE

Join experienced public defenders and forensic experts for a full day of intensive training on defending clients accused of sex crimes. From the moment of assignment through trial, this program covers the critical strategies, evidentiary challenges, and advocacy skills every defense attorney needs.

Program Schedule (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

8:30 AM

Registration & Coffee

9:00–
10:00 AM

Dealing with Pretext Calls at Trial

Hadi Razzaq and Sylvia Nguyen
San Francisco Public Defenders

10:10–
11:10 AM

I've Been Assigned a Sex Case — Now What? What to Do in Your First 100 Days

Yali Corea-Levy
Santa Clara Public Defender

11:20 AM–
12:20 PM

Educating Jurors about Child Suggestibility and Contamination

Dr. Julie Buck — San Diego, California
Susan Clemens — Santa Clara County Public Defender

12:20–
1:20 PM

Lunch Break

1:20–
2:20 PM

Dealing with 1108 Evidence at Trial

Tom Larkin and Lara Wallman
Santa Clara County Public Defenders

2:30–
3:30 PM

Defending SVP Cases

Rachel Draznin-Nagy
Contra Costa County Public Defender

3:30–
4:30 PM

No Host Gathering Nearby, Details TBD

SEMINAR ORGANIZERS

Souley Diallo Criminal Defense Attorney Diallo Law Office ⓘ Bio

Matt Sotorosen Director of Training San Francisco Public Defender's Office ⓘ Bio

FEATURED FACULTY

Susan Clemens Deputy Public Defender Santa Clara County ⓘ Bio	Dr. Julie Buck Eyewitness Memory Expert San Diego, California ⓘ Bio	Hadi Razzaq Assistant Chief Attorney SF Public Defender's Office ⓘ Bio	Rachel Draznin-Nagy Deputy Public Defender Contra Costa County ⓘ Bio
	Yali Corea-Levy Deputy Public Defender Santa Clara County ⓘ Bio	Tom Larkin Attorney Santa Clara County PD ⓘ Bio	Sylvia Nguyen Attorney, Felony Trial Division SF Public Defender's Office ⓘ Bio