The Criminal Defense Attorney of Michigan will present the CDAM 2026 Spring Conference, “The Watchful Eye: Threats, Cybercrime, Privacy, and Surveillance,” Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, at the Auburn Hills Marriott, 3600 Centerpoint Parkway in Pontiac.

The schedule includes:

—Friday, March 13

• 8 a.m. Registration check-in and breakfast buffet.

• 9 a.m. Welcome and keynote, “Judicial Misconduct: The Greatest Threat to Justice” by Brian Steel.

• 10:45 a.m. “No More Open Roads: Automatic Vehicle Tracking” by Sidney Thaxter.

• Noon-1 p.m.  Lunch options: 
  - Working Lunch,  “Preventing Wrongful Convictions: Lessons from Wayne County” by Marilena David
  - Group Lunch
  - Lunch on Your Own

• 1 p.m.  1st Breakout with  options/select 1:
  - “Detecting AI Images in Criminal Defense Cases” by Kenneth G. Hartman
  - “Facial Recognition and Criminal Defense—Detroit and Beyond” by Phil Mayor
  - “Litigating and Mitigating Terroristic Threat Cases” by Matt Monahan 
  - “Non-Flock Surveillance” by Eric Grabski   

• 2:25 p.m. 2nd Breakout with three options/select 1:
  - “Cell Phone Search Warrants—Identifying Recurring Problems” by Tristen Chamberlain
  - “Expungements” by Tiffany Hughes
  - “When Google Searches for You” by Eric Grabski

• 3:55 p.m. 3rd Breakout with four options/select 1:
  - “Building Cyber Resiliency into Your Everyday Practice” by Cynthia Rast
  - “ICAC’s Watchful Eye: CDAM and Torrential Downpour” by Kenneth G. Hartman
  - “Inside ICE Surveillance: Tools, Tactics, and Civil Liberties” by Amy V. Doukoure 
  - “Chill Out and Relax:Yoga” by Marina Chupac and Jordan Zuppke

• 6:15 p.m. CDAM Annual Awards Dinner honoring:
  - Anne Yantus—Penny R. Beardslee Excellence in Education Award
  - Stuart Friedman and Thomas J. Tomko—Right to Counsel Award

—Saturday, March 14

• 8 a.m. Check-in and breakfast buffet

• 9 a.m. “Michigan Law Updates” by Erin Van Campen

• 10:10 a.m. “Stakeholder Updates” by Bernard Jocuns, CDAM, MIDC; and Kathy Swedlow, SADO, MAACS.

• 10:40 a.m. “Deconstructing the Brian Steel Contempt Case” by Ken Mogill and Arthur Jay Weiss

• 11:50 a.m. “Michigan Sentencing Guidelines” by Anne Yantus

Cost for the conference is  $480 for CDAM members and $600 for non members.  Some county/court funding units will pay for part, or all, of the cost of a registration. It is up to registrants to contact their local funding unit to determine what is applicable and what payment or reimbursement method will be used.

To register online, visit www.CDAMonline.org. For questions, call CDAM at 517-579-0533.

Prior to its 2026 Spring Conference, the Criminal Defense Attorney of Michigan will present several programs on Thursday, March 12, at the  Auburn Hills Marriott, 3600 Centerpoint Pkwy. in Pontiac.

Four programs will be offered including:

• “Evidence Boot Camp E” from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  This program offers hands-on small group skills training. Attendees do not have to take prior Boot Camps to attend this Boot Camp.  Speaking at the training will be Beth LaCosse, Mitch Foster, and Bernard Jocuns.  Cost is $320 for CDAM members and $400 for non-members. 

• “A Is for Attorney” from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  CDAM’s new lawyer training has been refreshed and will feature Tiffany DeBruin, Rhonda B. Ives, and Lisa Kirsch Satawa.  Cost is $320 for CDAM members and $400 for non-members. 

• “Trilogy, Triads, and Triumph: The Persuasive Power of Three” from noon to 4 p.m.  Speaker James R. Samuels will explore the art of using trilogy to create an impactful courtroom presence. Cost is $160 for CDAM members and $200 for non-members.

• “Your Case Issues” from 4 to 6 p.m.  Tracie Dinehart and Mike Steinberg will facilitate an open discussion for attendees to bring their questions and issues for candid, practical feedback from experienced trial lawyers. The session is free, open to all attendees, and no reservation is needed.

To register for any of the CDAM programs offered Thursday, March 12, visit https://cdam.wildapricot.org.

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