The 2025 Annual Wisconsin Defender Conference virtual course offers an immersive, comprehensive educational platform designed to energize and elevate criminal defense practice and courtroom advocacy across Wisconsin. This on-demand program provides complete access to the full suite of recorded sessions, strategic deep dives, and expert presentations from the multi-day event.
Core Curriculum & Learning Tracks
- Advanced Cross-Examination Masterclass: A full-day intensive program led by nationally recognized trial authority Larry Pozner, focusing on the neuroscience behind the "Chapter Method," advanced witness control techniques, and leveraging prosecution witnesses to build a winning defense narrative.
- Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology: Critical sessions detailing the ethical use of AI in public defense, tech roadmaps, and addressing technological law enforcement tools like vehicular data collection and historical cell site analysis.
- Forensic Science Litigation: In-depth presentations on navigating complex forensic evidence, including DNA STRmix complexities, challenging cyber tips, and uncovering cognitive bias in the government's expert testimony.
- Juvenile & Family Defense (Chapter 938): Specialized modules covering youth competency, trauma-informed client interviewing, alternative disposition planning, and trial strategies for Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) cases.
- Appellate Advocacy & Trial Tactics: Strategic guidance on litigating race on appeal, executing theory-driven impeachment, and mastering the art of persuasion from opening statements through post-dispositional relief.
The 2025 conference features an extraordinary lineup of legal experts and faculty advocates, including Alaina Fahley, Alex Gelhar, Alex Richardson, Amanda Roush, Dr. Amber Ault, Andrew Martinez, Ashley Lauersdorf, Ben Gonring, Breanna Magallones, Bridget Krause, Brodee Schwarm, Casey Gerber, Cana Kohn, Cassie Van Gompel, Chris Sobic, Cole Ruby, Corey Smith, David Beller, Deja Vishny, Dennis Carroll, Devon Lee, Dustin Haskell, Eileen Fredericks, Elizabeth Vasquez, Heather Rogers, Jaclyn Shelton, Jeremy Perri, Jennifer Friedman, Kate Drury, Larry Pozner, Lei Young, Mark Kozlowski, Matt Giesfeldt, Melanie Foote, Melissa Nepomiachi, Nick Castleberry, Nicole Ostrowski, Patrick Hughes, Paul Rifelj, Rob Walensky, Ryan Reid, Shelley Fite, Travis Strearns, and Yulonda Anderson.
