2027 Midwinter Meeting & Seminar

Some cities inspire greatness. Austin, Texas is one of them.

Austin has always been a place where legends are made. This spring, NACDL brings the same bold, electric spirit of Austin to one of the most powerful criminal defense training events of the year — and if you're serious about your craft, this is exactly where you need to be.

Welcome to Choosin' Texas — Can You Tell?: Advanced Advocacy Skills for Every Lawyer.

WHAT THIS SEMINAR IS ALL ABOUT?

Great criminal defense advocacy isn't accidental. It's built — deliberately, strategically, and skillfully — from the moment you take a case to the second the verdict is read. This seminar is designed to make you a sharper, more effective, and more persuasive advocate at every stage of that journey.

Through dynamic presentations from experts and seasoned practitioners, you'll master the foundation of elite criminal defense: the 4 P's of Advanced Advocacy.

PRE-TRIAL PREPARATION: Winning cases before you ever set foot in the courtroom. Learn how to investigate smarter, build a compelling case theory, anticipate the prosecution's strategy, and construct a defense framework that holds up under the toughest scrutiny. The best trial lawyers know that preparation isn't just part of the process — it IS the process.

COURTROOM PRESENTATION: How you present your case is just as important as the case itself. Discover proven techniques for organizing and delivering your narrative in a way that resonates with judges and juries alike. From opening statements to closing arguments, you'll learn how to command the room and control the story.

PERFORMANCE: The courtroom is a stage, and the most effective advocates know how to own it. Sharpen your instincts, your timing, and your ability to think and pivot on your feet. Whether you're examining a witness, challenging evidence, or responding to the unexpected, your performance under pressure can make all the difference.

PERSUASION & COMMUNICATION: At its core, criminal defense is about convincing people — jurors, judges, clients, and colleagues. Elevate your ability to connect, communicate, and persuade with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Learn the science and art behind compelling storytelling, body language, and the psychology of persuasion.

Running through every session is a singular, unifying focus: how to build and develop a winning case strategy. You'll leave Austin not just with new skills, but with a complete, cohesive framework for approaching every case — from intake to verdict to sentencing — with greater intention, creativity, and confidence.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

YOU. This seminar is built for every criminal defense lawyer — whether you've been in the courtroom for 30 years or 3. If you want to be better, bolder, and more effective for your clients, Austin is calling your name.

AUSTIN AWAITS

Beyond the curriculum, you'll enjoy the unmatched opportunity to connect, network, and build lasting professional relationships with fellow defense attorneys from across the country — all set against the backdrop of one of America's most vibrant and exciting cities.

Great food. Live music. World-class legal education. Everything really is bigger in Texas.

Register today — because when it comes to your practice, your clients, and your craft, Choosin' Texas is the easiest decision you'll ever make.