University of Texas School of Law
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2020 Robert O. Dawson
Conference on Criminal Appeals
Live Webcast May 6, 2020
Conference Concluded
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SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
State Bar of Texas Appellate Section

UT Law CLE

2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals

Program Features
UT Law CLE's 2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals will be live online on May 6, 2020!  

Due to the suspension of all in-person events this spring, we have modified this year’s agenda to bring you a one-day, live virtual conference online, with presentations featuring members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas, plus prosecutors and defense attorneys, for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system. This year’s virtual conference includes:
  • In-depth review of significant decisions from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from the past year.
  • Real world tips, suggestions and insights for litigating writ claims at every step in the process, from preliminary investigation, to trial court, to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, with Practical Tips from Writ Litigators.
  • Insight into the digital revolution with Appellate Practice in the Digital Age.
  • Legal writing tips and tricks with How to Write Plainly, with Professor Wayne Schiess.
Registrants can fulfill their entire annual MCLE requirement in Texas and earn up to 15.00 hrs /3.00 hrs ethics for the year. Earn up to 7.50 hours of MCLE credit (including 0.50 hours of ethics) during the live virtual conference on May 6th. Plus, receive a bonus eSupplement containing an additional 7.50 hours of MCLE (including 2.50 hours of ethics) to complete your annual requirement on your time.

UT Law CLE

2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals

5/25/20
Schedule

Wednesday Morning, May 6, 2020

Presiding Officer:
Joanna Jefferson, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

8:20 am
Welcoming Remarks

8:30 am

0.75 hr

Significant Decisions of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Analyze significant decisions in the last year and what they mean for criminal law practitioners.

Hon. David C. Newell, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

9:15 am
5-Minute Break

9:20 am

0.75 hr

11.07 Writs

Discuss the law of 11.07 habeas corpus with tips for writ practice at the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Michael Staats Falkenberg, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

10:05 am
5-Minute Break

10:10 am

1.00 hr

Legal Writing: How to Write Plainly

Do criminal-law appellate briefs need to be written in plain English? And what does “plain English,” mean? This presentation defines plain-English legal writing and offers guidance on plain English-principles related to words, sentences, and organization.

Wayne Schiess, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

11:10 am
5-Minute Break

11:15 am

0.75 hr

Emerging Issues in PDRs

Gain insight on significant and emerging issues pending in the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Kathleen Mary Schneider, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
Stacey M. Soule, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney - Austin, TX

12:00 pm
5-Minute Break

12:05 pm

0.50 hr

Chapter 64 Motions and Hearings

A brief overview of motions for forensic testing, collaborative and contested, and common missteps on the road to 11.073. 

Matthew Bryant Howard, Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office - San Antonio, TX

12:35 pm
Break for Lunch—Presentation Resumes at 12:55 p.m.

Wednesday Afternoon, May 6, 2020

Presiding Officer:
Joanna Jefferson, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

12:55 pm

0.50 hr

Practical Tips from Writ Litigators

Explore real world tips, suggestions and insights for litigating writ claims at every step in the process -- from preliminary investigation, to trial court, to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. 

Catherine G. Burnett, South Texas College of Law Houston - Houston, TX

1:25 pm
5-Minute Break

1:30 pm

0.50 hr

The Jury Charge

It's tedious to draft, dreadful to listen to, and probably ignored by jurors. Learn why the least exciting part of trial is the most important. 

David M. Gonzalez, Sumpter & Gonzalez L.L.P. - Austin, TX

2:00 pm
5-Minute Break

2:05 pm

0.50 hr

Appellate Practice in the Digital Age

Explore how the digital revolution and the consequent move from paper to electronic filing of legal documents has changed the way that legal texts are written and read, and learn effective strategies for appellate lawyers to communicate within this new digital reality. 

Rosa Theofanis, Travis County District Attorney's Office - Austin, TX

2:35 pm
5-Minute Break

2:40 pm

0.75 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Conviction Integrity Units

Discuss the concept of conviction integrity as an extension of the prosecutor’s duty to see that justice is done. Hear practical issues in evaluating, investigating, and responding to actual innocence claims and considerations for offices that do not have a dedicated CIU.

Alison Fox Dahlberg, Bexar County District Attorney's Office - San Antonio, TX
John Lopez, Travis County District Attorney's Office - Austin, TX

3:25 pm
5-Minute Break

3:30 pm

0.50 hr

Standards of Review

Identifying the appropriate standard and utilizing it as a roadmap to a persuasive legal argument on appeal. 

Lisa Dotin Stewart, Travis County District Attorney's Office - Austin, TX

4:00 pm
5-Minute Break

4:05 pm

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Judicial Panel + Current Practices in the Era of COVID-19

Practical advice from the people whose opinions matter about what they like to see in briefs and appeals and what they do not. Gain insight on their personal experiences with COVID-19, what they see on the horizon, and (potentially) answer questions from viewers. 

Moderator:
Jay R. Brandon, Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section - San Antonio, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Lana Myers, Fifth District Court of Appeals - Dallas, TX
Hon. Beth Watkins, Fourth Court of Appeals - San Antonio, TX

5:05 pm
Adjourn

UT Law CLE

2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals

Faculty

Conference Faculty

Jay R. Brandon
Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section
San Antonio, TX
Catherine G. Burnett
South Texas College of Law Houston
Houston, TX
Alison Fox Dahlberg
Bexar County District Attorney's Office
San Antonio, TX
Michael Staats Falkenberg
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
David M. Gonzalez
Sumpter & Gonzalez L.L.P.
Austin, TX
Matthew Bryant Howard
Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office
San Antonio, TX
John Lopez
Travis County District Attorney's Office
Austin, TX
Hon. Lana Myers
Fifth District Court of Appeals
Dallas, TX
Hon. David C. Newell
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
Wayne Schiess
The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX
Kathleen Mary Schneider
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
Stacey M. Soule
Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Austin, TX
Lisa Dotin Stewart
Travis County District Attorney's Office
Austin, TX
Rosa Theofanis
Travis County District Attorney's Office
Austin, TX
Hon. Beth Watkins
Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, TX

Planning Committee

Hon. Barbara P. Hervey—Co-Chair
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
Hon. David C. Newell—Co-Chair
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
Joanna Jefferson—Director
The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX
Aimee Bolletino
The Law Office of Aimee Bolletino
Houston, TX
Jay R. Brandon
Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section
San Antonio, TX
Kamela Bridges
The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX
Baldwin D. Chin
Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
Richmond, TX
Alison Fox Dahlberg
Bexar County District Attorney's Office
San Antonio, TX
Michael Staats Falkenberg
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
Cynthia Rodriguez Garza
Dallas County District Attorney's Office
Dallas, TX
Carson R. Guy
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
Hon. Michael Keasler
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX
Jennifer E. Laurin
The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX
John Robertson Messinger
Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Austin, TX
Carmen Roe
Carmen Roe Law Firm, PLLC
Houston, TX
Melissa Stryker
Harris County District Attorney's Office
Houston, TX
Michael Scott Taliaferro
Travis County District Attorney's Office
Austin, TX
Gary Alan Udashen
Udashen Anton
Dallas, TX

UT Law CLE

2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals

Credit Information

MCLE Credit

Texas
7.50 hrs  |  0.50 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Criminal Appellate Law, Criminal Law, Juvenile Law
Additional Information
UT Law CLE will report credit to the State Bar of Texas on your behalf. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit.
California
7.50 hrs  |  0.50 hrs Ethics
Additional Information
Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. Print and keep the Certificate of Completion for your records. A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit.
Oklahoma
9.00 hrs  |  0.50 hrs Ethics
Additional Information
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #169) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Oklahoma Bar Association for MCLE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. This accreditation requires attendance verification. In compliance with the rules, UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

To claim Oklahoma MCLE credit, Oklahoma credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the webcast.
Other States
7.50 hrs  |  0.50 hrs Ethics
Additional Information
Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State
If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.

To claim Other States MCLE credit, Other States credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion .

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour. 

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE
9.00 hrs
Additional Information
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. In compliance with the rules, UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

To claim Texas Accounting CPE credit, the Texas Accounting CPE credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. Self-report your CPE credit directly to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

UT Law CLE

2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals

Key Dates

Live Webcast

  • Last day for cancellation (full refund): May 1, 2020
  • Last day for cancellation (partial refund): May 4, 2020
    $50 processing fee applied

UT Law CLE

2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals

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