2025 Community Defenders, Inc. Seminar – What is AI? – San Diego, CA

The Seminar is being offered in-person at USD School of Law and virtually on Zoom. Please select your ticket based on how you will be attending the seminar.

The USD School of Law & Community Defenders, Inc. presents:

What is AI?

As uses of artificial intelligence expand, including its use in case preparation and courtrooms, criminal defense attorneys must learn its uses, ethical considerations, and potential challenges in criminal trials, appeals and postconviction cases. This seminar will present updated information in the rapidly-changing and developing field of AI and related strategies by speakers well-versed in this field.

• In-Person ticket includes continental breakfast, lunch and free parking.
• Please select your lunch entree during the registration process.
• Any registrations after Friday, January 15, 2025 may not be guaranteed lunch.

TICKET BREAKDOWN

IN PERSON ATTENDEE

$50 – General Admission (includes continental breakfast, lunch & parking)

Free – Former Defenders Inc. (1968-86), and Community Defenders Inc.(1987-88)

Free – Law Students and Law Faculty (please register with .edu email address)

VIRTUAL ATTENDEE

$25 – General Admission

Free – Former Defenders Inc. (1968-86), and Community Defenders Inc.(1987-88)

Free – Law Students and Law Faculty (please register with .edu email address)

AGENDA

Lobby, Warren Hall, Second Floor

8:30 am – 9:00 am — Check-in & Continental Breakfast

All Sessions Will Take Place in the Grace Courtroom Room 303, Warren Hall, Third Floor

9:00 am – 9:15 am — Welcome and Introductions

9:15 am – 10:30 am — Session I — WHAT IS AI? (1.25 technology)

SPEAKER: Emily Prokesch, Team Leader, Forensic Support Unit, New York State Defenders Association; Lecturer in Law, Columbia Law School; Adjunct Professor, Emory University School of Law

Emily Prokesch will discuss the definition and uses of AI, discussing both case law and court rules to date on the use of AI in case and in the courtroom.

10:30 am – 10:45 am — BREAK

10:45 am – 12:00 pm — Session II — LAW ENFORCEMENT USE OF DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES (1.25 Ethics)

SPEAKERS:
John C. Ellis, Jr., Esq., The Law Offices of John C. Ellis, Jr.
Geneviéve Jones-Wright, Esq., Executive Director, Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance

This session will delve into/focus on the use, by law enforcement, of developing technologies, including smart cameras, automated license plate readers, and other forms of mass surveillance. Speakers will teach effective strategies to challenge and defend against their use in the courtroom.

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm — Keynote Lunch — ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF AI FOR DEFENSE ATTORNEYS (1.0 Ethics)
SPEAKER: Kevin Bringuel, Esq. – Training Attorney, California Appellate Project – San Francisco

Kevin Bringuel will focus his discussion on trial and appellate perspectives on ethical implications and pitfalls of using AI and other emerging technologies in criminal cases. This is a quickly changing area of the law and there will be discussion of recent developments.

1:30 pm – 1:45 pm — BREAK

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm — Session IV — EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR USE BY CRIMINAL DEFENSE PRACTITIONERS (1.25 Technology)
SPEAKER: Jason Fries, CEO and Lead Forensic Scientist, 3D Forensics, Inc.

This session dives into the range of forensic technologies available to attorneys enabling deeper scientific understanding and presentation of key case factors. Knowledge of these technologies empower counsel to determine key factors in trial and how to oppose technological evidence.

MCLE Information

The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California-approved MCLE provider and certifies this activity is approved for 4.75 hours (2.25 Ethics + 2.5 Technology).

Community Defenders, Inc. Grant Committee

• Laura Berend, Esq., San Diego
• John Ellis, Jr., Esq., San Diego
• Rebecca P. Jones, Esq., San Diego
• Geneviéve Jones-Wright, Esq., San Diego
• Alex Landon, Esq., San Diego
• Liz Missakian, Esq., San Diego
• Jean Ramirez, Professor of Law, USD School of Law, San Diego
• Shervin Samimi, Esq., San Diego