Winter Conference 2026
December 4–5, 2026
2026 OCDLA Winter Conference
December 4–5, The Benson, Portland
* * * MEMBERS, PLEASE LOG IN. * * *
Early Bird Registration — Until November 24
Members — Lawyers $315 | NonLawyers $215
NonMembers — Lawyers $470 | NonLawyers $325
SPPE (apprentice) Attorney — $165
Students — $25, incl. membership for new members only
Standard Registration — After November 24
Members — Lawyers $340 | NonLawyers $240
NonMembers — Lawyers $495 | NonLawyers $350
SPPE (apprentice) Attorney — $190
Students — $50, incl. membership for new members only
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Who may attend?
This program is open to defense lawyers and those professionals and law students directly involved in the defense function.
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What’s included in the fee?
• Seminar admission
• Written material in advance
• CLE credit
• Lunch on Friday, breakfast on Saturday
• Refreshments during breaks
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Financial assistance?
Members contact OCDLA by November 16 about scholarships, payment plans or creative payment arrangements.
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Cancellations
Seminar cancellations made before November 30 will receive a refund less a $25 cancellation fee.
Seminar cancellations made after November 30 (once material is emailed) will receive a refund less a $100 cancellation /written material fee.
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No-show Policy
Written materials are sent in advance to all participants. Audio materials will be sent to OCDLA members only; nonmembers who do not attend are ineligible to receive the recordings or a refund.
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CLE Credit
Pending approval in Oregon for 8.5 general credits; 1 ethics credit.
2026 Winter Conference
December 4–5, The Benson Hotel, Portland
CLE credits pending approval: 8.5 general; 1.0 ethics
Program speakers, topics and times subject to change
Friday, December 4
Moderator: TBA
8:00a
Registration
9:00
Severance
Judge Souede, Multnomah County Circuit Court, Portland
9:45
Break / Door Prizes
10:00
Maximizing Engagement: Mastering the WHO and the HOW of Legal Communication
Kristi Foster, Foster Voice Studio, Vancouver WA
11:00
Brady: Find it, Prove it, Win it Litigating Brady Violations from Trial Through Post-Conviction in Oregon
Susan Wilk, Federal Public Defender, Portland
Kassidy Hetland, Metro Public Defender, Portland
12:00p
Lunch (Included)
Ross M. Shepard Award for Lifetime Service to OCDLA — presented to Tony Bornstein, Federal Public Defender, retired.
Speaking in tribute: Michaela C. Gore, Hood River
12:45
Case Presentation
David Ball Ph.D, Malekpour & Ball, Portland
1:45
Case Presentation
John Robb, Attorney, Portland
Henry Oostrom-Shah, Metro Public Defender, Portland
2:45
Break/Door Prizes
3:00
Ethics/Judicial Fitness/Bar Complaints (ethics credit)
David Elkanich, Attorney, Portland
Theo Erde-Wollheim, Metro PD, Washington Co., Hillsboro
4:00
Adjourn for the Day
6:00
Holiday Dinner and Ken Morrow Award.
Saturday, December 5
Moderator: TBA
7:30a
Hot Breakfast (included)
8:30
Science Behind Snitching and Why Juries Believe Them
Jeffrey Neuschatz, Indiana
Stacy Wetmore, Indiana
9:45
Break/Door Prizes
10:00
Challenging the Government Informant–Pre-Trial Litigation and Cross-Examination
Patrick Sweeney, Portland
10:45
Unnecessary Rigor: How to Challenge Sentences and Conditions of Confinement With this State Constitutional Clause
Professor Kristen Bell, University of Oregon, Eugene
11:30
Proportionality
Marc D. Brown, Oregon Public Defense Commission, Salem
12:15p
Adjourn
The Benson Hotel, Portland, OR
Lodging - (lodging deadline is November 20)
Reserve your room here today. You may also reserve your room by calling (503) 228-2000. Be sure to mention the OCDLA Winter Conference to receive the special conference rate.
Rooms are available starting at $162 per night for a 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds Urban View room.
Parking
Overnight Valet Parking: $45 per night
Short-Term Parking: $12/hour with a maximum daily charge of $45
Evening Parking: A flat fee of $15 applies after 6 p.m.