LOS ANGELES – Loyola Law School, Los Angeles will host its 13th-annual Fidler Institute on Criminal Justice on Friday, April 12, 2019. An annual arbiter of emerging issues faced by the criminal justice system, this year’s symposium will explore the Russia investigation, sentencing and related reform initiatives, the art and science of jury selection, how courts address issues of mental health, and the unique challenges of investigating the dark web. The day will be capped by a judges’ reception and the presentation of the Fidler Awards.
“Our timing couldn’t have been better,” said Professor Laurie Levenson. “This year’s Fidler Institute will feature a keynote address by a former Mueller colleague who will unpack the recently concluded Mueller investigation. In addition, we have panels focusing on the hot criminal justice issues of our time: mental illness, bail reform, felony murder, jury selection, life behind bars and investigating the dark web.”
The day will unfold as follows:
9-9:45 a.m.
The introductory remarks, a veritable State of Criminal Justice Report, will be provided by Hon. Ricardo Garcia, Public Defender, L.A. County Public Defender’s Office; Hon. Nicola Hanna, U.S. Attorney, Central District of California; Hon. Jackie Lacey, District Attorney, L.A. County; and Hon. Hilary Potashner, Federal Public Defender, Central District of California.
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System. Speakers will include Ron Kaye, Partner, Kaye, McLane, Bednarski & Litt, LLP; Hon. Karla Kerlin, L.A. County Superior Court; Hon. Jackie Lacey, District Attorney, L.A. County; Dr. Kristen Ochoa, Medical Director, Office of Diversion and Reentry; and Hon. Hilary Potashner, Federal Public Defender, Central District of California.
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
New Reforms in Criminal Justice: (SB 10), (SB 1421), (SB 1437) and Federal First Step Act. Panelists will include Ashley Aull, Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office; John Colello, Assistant Head Deputy, Hardcore Gang Division, L.A. County District Attorney’s Office; Sean Kennedy, Kaplan & Feldman Executive Director, Loyola’s Center for Juvenile Law & Policy; Brianna Mircheff, Deputy Federal Public Defender, Office of the Federal Public Defender, Central District of California; Hon. Sam Ohta, Assistant Supervising Judge, L.A. County Superior Court; Shannon Presby, Head Deputy District Attorney, District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division; Jennifer Snyder, Head Deputy, L.A. County District Attorney’s Office; and Nick Stewart-Oaten, Deputy Public Defender, L.A. County Public Defender’s Office.
Lunchtime Keynote 1:05 p.m.
The lunchtime keynote address, “Everything You Wanted to Know about the Mueller Investigation but were Afraid to Ask,” will be delivered by Steven Zipperstein, former special counsel to Robert S. Mueller III.
2-3 p.m.
Jury Selection and Jury Consultants. Richard Gabriel, President, Decision Analysis Inc., will discuss finds from his 35 years of experience in the field, including assisting counsel on such high-profile cases as O.J. Simpson, Phil Spector and Casey Anthony.
3-4 p.m.
The Dark Web and Federal Investigations. Speakers will include Puneet V. Kakkar, Assistant U. S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office; and Scott Paetty, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office.
4 p.m.
Fidler Awards followed by Judges’ Reception
The day will conclude with the brief presentation of the 13th-annual Fidler Awards: Judge of the Year – Hon. Ronald S. Coen, L.A. County Superior Court; Prosecutor of the Year – Hon. Jackie Lacey, L.A. County District Attorney; Defense Lawyer of the Year – Michael D. Nasatir, Partner, Andrues/Podberesky; and Special Service Award – Gregory Sivard, Records Manager, L.A. County Jail. The presentation will be immediately followed by the Judges’ Reception.
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles’ Fidler Institute on Criminal Justice is named in honor of Loyola Law School alumnus Judge Larry P. Fidler ’74, L.A. County Superior. It will be held in the Girardi Advocacy Center on Loyola Law School’s campus at 919 Albany St., Los Angeles, CA 90015. Parking will be provided in the Law School parking lot. More information is available at www.lls.edu/fidler.
About Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Located on an award-winning Frank Gehry-designed campus in downtown Los Angeles, Loyola Law School is home to prominent faculty, dedicated students and cutting edge programs. Part of Loyola Marymount University (LMU), the Law School strives to instill in students the knowledge they need to excel on their chosen paths. It dedicates itself to preparing students for the rigors of practice with an extensive portfolio of practical-training opportunities, a 18,000-strong alumni network and a focus on social justice. Learn more at www.lls.edu.