Start Date: 11/5/2026 8:30 AM EST
End Date: 11/5/2026 5:00 PM EST

Venue Name: The Galt House

Location:

Organization Name: KACDL

Contact:

 

A Conference Built for the Modern Defense Lawyer

The 2026 program brings together nationally recognized voices and prominent Kentucky practitioners for a day of professional training and education focused on the work defense lawyers perform on a daily basis:

Constitutional Advocacy
The Constitution provides rights to which every citizen is entitled and enjoys. Defense lawyers effectuate those rights and make them meaningful. This seminar will explore the role and responsibility of the defense lawyer as constitutional advocate and the champion of liberty. 

Trial Excellence
Learn from experienced advocates about their trial preparation habits, how they investigate and develop a theory of the case, their courtroom skills and strategies, and the lessons they learned during their careers that distinguish them as exceptional criminal defense lawyers.
 

Practice Innovation
Examine the challenges currently facing modern defense practitioners—from complex investigations and privilege issues to emerging developments in criminal law.
 

Kentucky Practice
Start the day with the 2026 legislative review and criminal case-law update, then hear directly from seasoned Kentucky criminal defense lawyers about recent victories, innovative motion practice, novel legal strategies, effective trial techniques, and ideas you can put to work in your own cases.

 

National Featured Speakers

David Oscar Markus
What the Best Defense Lawyers Do Differently: Lessons from America's Greatest Trial Lawyers

Drawing on years of conversations with the nation's premier criminal defense attorneys through his For the Defense podcast, David Markus will share common habits, strategies, and courtroom philosophies that distinguish exceptional advocates.

Solomon L. Wisenberg
HIGH-STAKES DEFENSE: Lessons from America’s Most High-Profile Political Prosecutions

Drawing on his experience with the Whitewater–Lewinsky investigation involving President Clinton, his public analysis of the Mueller investigation, and his knowledge of the Watergate prosecutions, Solomon L. Wisenberg examines the strategies, challenges, and lessons arising from some of the nation’s most consequential political cases. This session will explore the investigative methods, prosecutorial decision-making, defense strategies, and legal principles that emerge when criminal cases unfold under intense public and political scrutiny—with practical insights for Kentucky defense attorneys handling complex, high-stakes cases.
 

Kentucky Featured Speakers

Marc Murphy
The Constitution Is Not Self-Executing: The Defense Lawyer’s Role in Protecting Liberty

Drawing on four decades as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, appellate advocate, and teacher, Professor Marc Murphy examines the defense lawyer's role as a constitutional advocate.

B. Scott West — 2026 Legislative & Criminal Case Law Update

Joe W. Harper & Patrick M. Hagan — One Investigation, Multiple Clients: Navigating Conflicts, Privilege & Cooperation

KACDL Victory Panel — Kentucky Wins: Lessons Learned from Recent Defense Victories

 

The Awards Luncheon:

Join us to celebrate excellence in Kentucky criminal defense. Award Recipients will be announced soon! Curious to know who we have honored in the past, check out the recipient list here: KACDL

 

The Logisitcs:

Handouts: All handout materials are in digital form and are provided 24 hrs in advance via a secured dropbox link. 

CLE: In Person or Live-Stream: 6.25 hrs, including 2.0 ethics approved in KY

Conference Brochure: Download Here 

Parking: Onsite, not included with registration. Ask us for a follow-up discount ticket to use upon exit. 

Hotel Reservations: Start your reservation. Registration closes October 16

Live-Stream Partner: Thank you to Suhre & Associates for lending us their expertise and live-stream equipment!

Interested in exhibiting or becoming a sponsor? Sign Up Here

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be received by KACDL at least 96 hours in advance of the event start date to receive credit or a full refund. Substitutions are allowed. Luncheon add-on is non-refundable.