Start Date: 7/9/2026 2:30 PM EDT
End Date: 9/15/2026 5:00 PM EDT
Venue Name: via Zoom & DPA Main
Location:
5 Mill Creek Park
Frankfort, KY United States 40601
Organization Name:
Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL)
Contact:
How This Program Is Different
This isn't a traditional CLE. Instead of spending an entire day listening to lectures, you'll build your knowledge through four webinars, then apply what you've learned during faculty-led coaching and an immersive, hands-on workshop using real cases. By the time you arrive in Frankfort, you'll be ready to stand on your feet, test your advocacy skills, and leave with practical strategies you can use immediately in court.
The Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL), in partnership with the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA), is pleased to announce an innovative Search & Seizure Workshop Series designed specifically for criminal defense attorneys.
If search and seizure litigation is part of your practice, this is a unique opportunity to strengthen your advocacy skills while working on issues directly affecting your clients.
This year’s program combines foundational legal training with practical, hands-on litigation skills. Participants will move beyond theory and apply search and seizure principles to real cases.
The program begins with a four-part, 1 hr each, webinar series open to all Kentucky Defenders
July 9 – Suppression 101 with Amy Hannah
July 16 – Warrant Requirement & Exceptions with Ryan Dischinger
July 23 – Terry Stops, Search Incident to Arrest, and Primer on Dog Sniffs with Keaton Stewart and Emily Croucher
July 30 – Suppression and Dog Sniffs with Erin Yang and Duncan Varda
Can't make one or more of these webinars during the live cast? No worries, recorded training and access to the trainer will be provided after event date.
Optional Add On In Person Workshop (Limited to 40 participants- 20 DPA & 20 Private): The program culminates with a one-day full day of learning suppression workshop in Frankfort, tentavely scheduled for September 15 (alternative date Sept 16). Participants opting in will work through their own cases, engage in suppression hearing exercises, practice cross-examination of law enforcement officers, and develop persuasive suppression arguments with guidance from experienced faculty.
You will leave this training with new content to put into action!
Highlights include:
• Four foundational webinar trainings
• Small-group faculty coaching
• Bring-your-own-case format
• Cross-examination exercises
• Suppression hearing argument practice
• Faculty feedback and litigation strategy discussions
Faculty Bios:
Amy Hannah - Amy is the Louisville Regional Trial Branch Manager for the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA). She has been a fixture in the Louisville legal community, spending the vast majority of her career since 2004 with the local public defender's office. She served as Adult Trial Division Chief, Director of Training, and spent three years in the Capital Trial Division representing clients facing the death penalty. Amy is a past president of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Ryan Dishinger - Ryan Dischinger is a directing attorney with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) at the Jefferson County Trial Office in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and was sworn into the Kentucky Bar Association in 2014. Dischinger is primarily known for his work supervising teams of public defenders, litigating criminal cases, and advocating for civil rights.
Keaton Stewart - Keaton, a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, is a staff attorney with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) at the Capital Trial Branch West. Here he represent clients charged with murder and additionally the presence of aggravating circumstances. Prior to that, Keaton worked at the Louisville general trial office for nearly five years. He also regularly presents at circuit court trainings with DPA on the topic of search and seizure. Keaton received the KY DPA Defender Uprising Award in 2023.
Emily Croucher - Emily Mary Croucher is a public defender with the DPA Capital Trials Branch - East in Lexington, where she represents individuals charged with aggravated murder who are facing the death penalty through the eastern half of Kentucky. Before that, she spent over 5 years as a staff attorney in the DPA London Trial Office. She attended the University of California, Irvine School of Law (2020) and earned her undergraduate degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (2016). Emily is committed to advocating for her clients' rights in and out of the courtroom. With a passion for justice and a special interest in suppression issues, she brings a wealth of knowledge and unwavering support to every client she has the privilege of representing. Emily frequently serves as a trainer at DPA's New Attorney Training, where she teaches suppression, voir dire, and juvenile representation. Emily received the DPA Defender Uprising Award in 2024 and was the DPA Eastern Region Rookie of the Year in 2021.
Erin Yang - Erin Hoffman Yang is a Staff Attorney with the Appeals Branch and has been with the Appeals Branch from starting as a law clerk in 2004. She is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law.
Duncan Varda - Duncan is a directing attorney with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) at the EliabethtownTrial Office. Focused on felony cases, Duncan is commited to the defense and protection of fundamental Constitutional rights and preservation of due process through client centered representation.Spanish and French speaker with extensive international experience dealing with comparative systems. Posted as a Foreign Service Officer in South America, North Africa, and the Middle East. Marine Corps veteran with multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan in the infantry and MARSOC (Marine Raiders, plank holder).
Abe Mashni - Abe Mashni is the founding attorney of Mashni Law, PLLC in Lexington, KY. A prominent figure in the legal community, he served as President of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (KACDL) in 2025 and was awarded the Clarence Darrow Prodigy Award in 2019.
Scott West - B. Scott West, a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law (1988) and Vanderbilt University (1985), brings diverse legal experience to this program. He began his career at Texaco in Houston, spending ten years as in-house litigation counsel, handling cases ranging from personal injury to oil and gas disputes. Returning to Kentucky, Scott joined the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA), rising to become General Counsel and Deputy Public Advocate while focusing on criminal cases.Throughout his decorated and honored career, Scott has been a dedicated educator, teaching at DPA’s Annual Conference, Kentucky Bar Association Conventions, and many KACDL events. He’s gained national and international recognition for his pretrial bail advocacy, speaking in multiple states and contributing to bail reform efforts in Armenia. Scott served as a KACDL President, Education Chair, Board of Director and now serves KACDL as their Legislative Advocacy Director.
Whitney True Lawson - Whitney True Lawson is a partner with True Guarnieri Ayer, LLP in Frankfort, Kentucky, where her practice focuses on state and federal criminal defense, family law, appellate advocacy, and administrative law. A graduate of Transylvania University and the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, Whitney was a member of the Law Review and Moot Court Board and was part of the national championship team at the Saul Lefkowitz Trademark Moot Court Competition.
Whitney has represented clients in trial and appellate courts throughout Kentucky and serves on the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. A past president of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, former chair of the Kentucky Bar Association Criminal Law Section, and current chair of the Public Advocacy Commission, Whitney is widely recognized for her leadership and commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of those accused of crimes.
Melanie Foote - Melanie Foote serves as the Director of Education, Strategic Planning and Recruitment for Kentucky's Department of Public Advocacy. A graduate of the University of California, San Diego and Brooklyn Law School, Melanie has dedicated her career to public defense since joining DPA in 2007. Her experience includes post-conviction litigation, innocence work through the Kentucky Innocence Project, and trial-level representation in cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital offenses. A nationally recognized trainer and faculty member for organizations including NACDL, NAPD, and Gideon's Promise, Melanie is passionate about developing criminal defense advocates and advancing high-quality, client-centered representation. She currently serves on the NACDL Board of Directors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend?
This program is designed for criminal defense attorneys of all experience levels. Whether you're new to suppression litigation or an experienced practitioner looking to sharpen your advocacy skills, the combination of foundational webinars and hands-on exercises is designed to improve your courtroom practice.
Do I have to attend all four webinars?
While attendance at every webinar is not required, it is strongly encouraged. The webinar series provides the legal foundation for the in-person workshop, allowing the workshop to focus on practical litigation skills rather than lecture.
What if I am not available for the live webinar dates?
No worries. All webinars will be recorded and made available for On Demand viewing.
Do I need to have an active case to participate?
No. The webinar series is open to all KACDL members, regardless of whether you currently have a search and seizure case.
However, participants selecting the in-person workshop are strongly encouraged to bring an active case so they can apply what they learn directly to their own litigation.
What does "Bring Your Own Case" mean?
Participants in the optional add-on in-person workshop will complete a brief case information form before the program (due by Sept 1). Faculty will review and reach out if necessary.
What if I don't have an active case or my case resolves before the workshop?
That's okay. If your case is resolved, we'll work with you to identify another case or provide a hypothetical scenario so you can still fully participate.
How are participants selected for the in-person workshop?
Enrollment is limited to 20 private + 20 DPA KACDL Members to ensure meaningful faculty interaction and individualized coaching. If demand exceeds available seats, KACDL may establish a waitlist andor hold a second in person workshop.
Can I receive individualized feedback?
Yes. One of the hallmarks of this program is the opportunity of personalized coaching. Faculty members will provide case specific feedback before the workshop if requested and throughout the in-person workshop day of.
What practical skills will I practice during the workshop?
Participants can expect to work on:
- Identifying suppression issues
- Developing case strategy
- Cross-examining law enforcement officers
- Making suppression hearing arguments
- Preserving the record for appeals
- Receiving faculty critique and feedback
Is this primarily a lecture program?
No. Unlike a traditional CLE, the webinar series covers the legal doctrine in advance so that the in-person workshop can focus on practical advocacy and skill development.
Will I receive written materials?
Yes. Participants will receive faculty materials from each webinar, and workshop attendees will also receive a faculty guide and practical resources for use in their own cases.
Can public defenders attend?
Yes! The webinar series is available to all DPA KACDL members. The in-person workshop is currently limited to 20 DPA attorneys.
Do I need to prepare anything before the workshop?
Yes. Participants selected for the in-person workshop will:
- Complete a brief case information form.
- Submit requested case materials by the deadline.
These steps help ensure the workshop is focused, practical, and directly applicable to your case.
Will this become an annual program?
We hope so. This is KACDL's inaugural Search & Seizure Workshop, and participant feedback will help shape future offerings.
Will I get CLE hours for this?
Yes. 4.0 hours can be earned by participation in the webinar series and an additional 6.0 hours can be earned during the workshop. All CLE accredidation is pending at the moment.
How much does this cost?
| Training Type |
KACDL Private Member |
KACDL DPA Member |
Private Non Member |
| Webinar Series |
$120.00 |
$0.00 |
$240.00 |
| Add On Workshop |
+$90.00 |
$0.00 |
Not available |
