2023 Appellate Writing Workshop offered April 27-29

Presented in partnership by the Criminal Defense Resource Center of the State Appellate Defender Office and the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System, the “2023 Appellate Writing Workshop” will take place Thursday through Saturday, April 27-29, at the Detroit offices of SADO, 3031 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 450.

MAACS roster attorneys and SADO assistant defenders are invited to attend this in-person, 3-day writing workshop designed for criminal appellate attorneys. Working on either a mock case file or a case from their own caseload, attendees will learn practical tools and develop critical skills to improve their writing. Attendees will learn how to develop a compelling statement of facts, identify persuasive legal issues, and improve oral advocacy skills. This workshop offers a mix of plenary, panel, and small group brainstorming and writing sessions.

Topics to be covered include:

• Voices and Perspectives of Appellate Clients

• Using Facts to Tell Your Client’s Story and to Develop a Case Theory

• Brainstorming the Facts

• Issue Spotting Strategies and Techniques

• Issue Identification and Development

• Pen to Paper: Drafting the Statement of Facts

• Extending the Theory of Your Case

• Practical Oral Advocacy Tips and Demonstration

Speaking at the workshop will be Marilena David, Brad Hall, and Kathy Swedlow.

David is the deputy director at SADO. She also manages Project Reentry, a program she launched that is focused on supporting people on their journey home from prison. David represents individuals on appeal of their felony convictions and individuals who are being resentenced after serving unconstitutional juvenile life without parole sentences. She served as manager of SADO’s Criminal Defense Resource Center from 2015-2022. Previously, she launched and managed SADO’s Crime Lab Unit.

David serves on the Board of Directors for the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and the Michigan Appellate Bench Bar Conference Foundation. She is past chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Prisons & Corrections Section. She serves on the National Association for Public Defense Core Well-Being Committee and contributes to developing and implementing national standards for public defense sustainability.

Hall is the MAACS administrator. Since 2015, he has overseen Michigan’s private appellate indigent defense system, including many meaningful reforms and an expansion to youth defense.
Swedlow is the manager of SADO’s Criminal Defense Resource Center (CDRC) and is the former deputy administrator of MAACS.  

The workshop is free for court-appointed appellate lawyers. Lunch will be provided. CLE credit is available up to 22.25 hours. To register, visit https://sado.org and click on “Upcoming Events.” Any questions, email kswedlow@sado.org or call 517-492-5848.