2026 Robert O. Dawson

Conference on Criminal Appeals

Austin May 20-22, 2026 AT&T Conference Center $595 Individual | $695 after May 6 $535 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $625 after May 6 $475 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $555 after May 6

Live Webcast May 20-22, 2026 $695 Individual $625 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) $555 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) $100 Add-on rate for in-person registrants

Overview

UT Law CLE's 2026 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system.

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Wednesday Afternoon, May 20, 2026
This agenda is still in development. Updates to topics and speakers will be posted as available.
1:00 pm
Austin Only

Registration Opens

Includes light refreshments.
1:50 pm

Welcoming Remarks
2:00 pm

1.00 hr

Significant Decisions of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

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

Hon. David C. Newell, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
3:00 pm

0.75 hr

Supreme Court Update

Emily Johnson-Liu, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney - Austin, TX
Britt Houston Lindsey, Taylor County District Attorney's Office - Abilene, TX

Emily Johnson-Liu, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney - Austin, TX
Britt Houston Lindsey, Taylor County District Attorney's Office - Abilene, TX
3:45 pm

15-Minute Break
4:00 pm

0.75 hr

Tips from Behind the Curtain

Niles Illich, Palmer Perlstein - Dallas, TX
Brett Ordiway, Ordiway PLLC - Dallas, TX

Niles Illich, Palmer Perlstein - Dallas, TX
Brett Ordiway, Ordiway PLLC - Dallas, TX
4:45 pm

0.75 hr

The PDR Playbook: Techniques for Powerful Petitions

In The PDR Playbook: Techniques for Powerful Petitions, learn how to elevate your PDR practice using concrete strategies grounded in what actually moves the Court of Criminal Appeals. This session breaks down the essentials—from developing a clean narrative to drilling into the COA’s error, conducting targeted research, and framing issues with maximum persuasive force—so your petitions stand out instead of getting lost in the “friv” stack. Leave with practical techniques and checklists for crafting focused, effective, and grant-worthy PDRs.

David L. Botsford, Botsford & Roark - Austin, TX
Stacey M. Soule, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney - Austin, TX

David L. Botsford, Botsford & Roark - Austin, TX
Stacey M. Soule, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney - Austin, TX
Austin Only

Adjourn to Reception (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)

Enjoy refreshments and a networking opportunity with colleagues and conference faculty

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, May 21, 2026
8:15 am
Austin Only

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:45 am

0.50 hr

Science Meets the Law: Nuts and Bolts of 11.073 Writs

Paul Still, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

Paul Still, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
9:15 am

0.75 hr

Future Issues with Regards to Forensic Sciences

Sarah Brandon, Office of Capital and Forensic Writs - Austin, TX

Sarah Brandon, Office of Capital and Forensic Writs - Austin, TX
10:00 am

15-Minute Break
10:15 am

0.50 hr

Essentials of 11.07 Writs

Lynda Charleson, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

Lynda Charleson, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
10:45 am

1.00 hr

Writ Panel: An Interactive Walkthrough the Process

Moderator:
Lynda Charleson, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Kelly Gatewood, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
Cliffie J. Wesson, Fifth District Court of Appeals at Dallas - Dallas, TX

Moderator:
Lynda Charleson, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Kelly Gatewood, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
Cliffie J. Wesson, Fifth District Court of Appeals at Dallas - Dallas, TX
11:45 am
Austin Only

Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)

Included in registration.
Thursday Afternoon, May 21, 2026
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:05 pm

0.75 hr

Research Tips and Tools

Amy Small, Texas State Law Library - Austin, TX

Amy Small, Texas State Law Library - Austin, TX
12:50 pm

15-Minute Break
1:05 pm

1.00 hr

Legal Writing

Kamela Bridges, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

Kamela Bridges, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
2:05 pm

0.50 hr

States Appeals
2:35 pm

10-Minute Break
2:45 pm

1.00 hr ethics

Ethical Responsibility in Learning How to Use Technology and AI in Appellate Practice

Hon. John G. Browning, Of Counsel, The Cole Law Firm, McKinney, Texas and Distinguished Jurist in Residence, Faulkner University School of Law - Plano, TX

Hon. John G. Browning, Of Counsel, The Cole Law Firm, McKinney, Texas and Distinguished Jurist in Residence, Faulkner University School of Law - Plano, TX
3:45 pm

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Court of Appeals Judicial Panel

Moderator:
Jay Brandon, Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section - San Antonio, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Kristin M. Guiney, First Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Hon. Chari L. Kelly, Third Court of Appeals - Austin, TX

Moderator:
Jay Brandon, Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section - San Antonio, TX
Panelists:
Hon. Kristin M. Guiney, First Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Hon. Chari L. Kelly, Third Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
4:45 pm

Adjourn

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, May 22, 2026
8:30 am
Austin Only

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
9:00 am

1.00 hr

Discovery in Light of Heath

Robert Daniel, Law Office of Robert Daniel - Austin, TX
Victoria Ford Oblon, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office - Fort Worth, TX

Robert Daniel, Law Office of Robert Daniel - Austin, TX
Victoria Ford Oblon, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office - Fort Worth, TX
10:00 am

15-Minute Break
10:15 am

1.00 hr ethics

Appellate Ethics

Douglas R. Gladden, Harris County Public Defender's Office - Houston, TX

Douglas R. Gladden, Harris County Public Defender's Office - Houston, TX
11:15 am

1.00 hr
0.25 hr ethics

Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial Panel

Moderator:
Alison Fox Dahlberg, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX

Moderator:
Alison Fox Dahlberg, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Austin, TX
12:15 pm

Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

David L. Botsford

Botsford & Roark
Austin, TX

Jay Brandon

Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section
San Antonio, TX

Sarah Brandon

Office of Capital and Forensic Writs
Austin, TX

Kamela Bridges

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Hon. John G. Browning

Of Counsel, The Cole Law Firm, McKinney, Texas and Distinguished Jurist in Residence, Faulkner University School of Law
Plano, TX

Lynda Charleson

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Alison Fox Dahlberg

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Robert Daniel

Law Office of Robert Daniel
Austin, TX

Victoria Ford Oblon

Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office
Fort Worth, TX

Kelly Gatewood

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Douglas R. Gladden

Harris County Public Defender's Office
Houston, TX

Hon. Kristin M. Guiney

First Court of Appeals
Houston, TX

Niles Illich

Palmer Perlstein
Dallas, TX

Emily Johnson-Liu

Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Austin, TX

Hon. Chari L. Kelly

Third Court of Appeals
Austin, TX

Britt Houston Lindsey

Taylor County District Attorney's Office
Abilene, TX

Hon. David C. Newell

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Brett Ordiway

Ordiway PLLC
Dallas, TX

Amy Small

Texas State Law Library
Austin, TX

Stacey M. Soule

Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Austin, TX

Paul Still

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Cliffie J. Wesson

Fifth District Court of Appeals at Dallas
Dallas, TX

Planning Committee

Hon. David C. Newell—Co-Chair

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Hon. Bert Richardson—Co-Chair

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Joanna Jefferson—Director

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Jay Brandon

Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Section
San Antonio, TX

Lynda Charleson

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Tina Clinton

Fifth District Court of Appeals
Dallas, TX

Alison Fox Dahlberg

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Michael Staats Falkenberg

Harris County Public Defender’s Office
Houston, TX

Victoria Ford Oblon

Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office
Fort Worth, TX

Douglas R. Gladden

Harris County Public Defender's Office
Houston, TX

Carson R. Guy

Burnet County District Attorney's Office
Burnet, TX

Britt Houston Lindsey

Taylor County District Attorney's Office
Abilene, TX

Carmen Roe

Carmen Roe Law Firm, PLLC
Houston, TX

Stacey M. Soule

Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Austin, TX

Stephanie L. Stevens

St. Mary's University School of Law
San Antonio, TX

Lisa Dotin Stewart

Travis County District Attorney's Office
Austin, TX

Tiffany Talamantez

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Austin, TX

Kyle Therrian

Texas Defense Firm
Dallas, TX

Key Dates

Austin – May 20-22, 2026 – AT&T Conference Center

Live Webcast – May 20-22, 2026

Austin
Live Webcast

Individual
Last day for $595.00 Regular pricing: May 6, 2026
$695.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $535.00 Regular pricing: May 6, 2026
$625.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $475.00 Regular pricing: May 6, 2026
$555.00 for registrations received after this time

Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: May 15, 2026
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: May 18, 2026

Individual
$695.00

Group (5 registrants minimum)
$625.00

Group (10 registrants minimum)
$555.00

Add-on (in-person registration required)
$100.00

Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: May 15, 2026
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: May 18, 2026

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

The University of Texas at Austin
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX
877.744.8822 (reservations)
Map

Accommodations

To reserve a hotel room for this conference, please click here to book at our special discounted room rate of $204. This rate is available until April 19, 2026 or until the room block is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Parking Information

Parking is available in the conference center's attached garage, as well as Rowling Hall Garage. Both garage entrances are located on W 20th St. Guests may self-park or use the hotel's valet services at the University Avenue entrance. Parking rates are subject to change without notice.

Self-parking fees:

Hourly Parking:
0-30 minutes, $3
31-60 minutes, $4
1– 2 hours, $6
2– 3 hours, $9
3– 4 hours, $12
4– 5 hours, $15
5– 8 hours, $18
8– 24 hours, $21
Lost ticket, $42

Valet Parking Rates:
Daily valet: $21
Overnight valet: $38

Additional Information

The conference will take place in Zlotnik Ballroom in Rowling Hall, the new addition of the AT&T Conference Center. If you self-park in the AT&T Conference Center Garage, please take the conference center elevators to level “M1” and follow signs to Zlotnik Ballroom. If you park in Rowling Hall Garage, please take the elevators to level “B4” Zlotnik Ballroom.

Conference on Criminal Appeals

Overview

Event Schedule

Wednesday Afternoon, May 20, 2026

Thursday Morning, May 21, 2026

Thursday Afternoon, May 21, 2026

Friday Morning, May 22, 2026

Conference Faculty

Planning Committee

Key Dates

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

Accommodations

Parking Information

Additional Information

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