Join 900+ legal professionals who have already discovered simple, effective tips for running a smarter criminal defense firm. Watch on demand now!
Being a criminal defense attorney means guiding clients through some of the toughest moments in their lives. The work is intense, and the stakes are high.
The last thing you need is to waste time buried in files, chasing down paperwork, or dealing with clunky systems that slow you down.
Within this must-watch event, you’ll learn:
- Straightforward tips to improve your firm’s internal processes
- Smart ways to grow your referral network and build your brand
- Proven techniques to sharpen your cross-examination skills
Here’s what attendees had to say about this summit:
“Super helpful session, excellent presentation style, and common-sense practical advice that I feel I can put towards my own practice.”
“This was excellent. Content-rich, nuanced, and actually useful.”
“Extremely well organized right on topic with valuable jewels of advice.”
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Agenda and session information
Opening Remarks
Summit doors open at 8:45 a.m. PT so you can get situated before opening remarks kick off at 9:00 a.m PT!
Marco Delgado
Marketing Manager, Clio
In his role at Clio, Marco seeks to inform law firms about the benefits of moving to the cloud and why Clio’s all-in-one legal software is the ideal solution to help them build a sustainable and scalable practice. Marco is excited about the future of legal work and in particular, the potential of AI and automation to reduce monotonous tasks and make the business of law easier to manage for legal professionals.
Ready-Set-Grow: How to Ramp up Your Referrals
Looking to bring in more referrals? We’ve got your playbook. In this session, two seasoned criminal defense attorneys will share the strategies that have worked for them—and how you can apply them to your own practice. You’ll discover how to:
- Build and maintain a strong referral network with the right tools
- Strengthen your personal brand to gain trust and boost visibility
- Uphold integrity and ethical standards while expanding your reach
David Bruno
Esq.Partner, The Bianchi Law Group, LLC
David J. Bruno is a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, former prosecutor, and national TV legal analyst who is passionate about attorney wellness. As creator of the Rails, Rocks, and Blocks System™ and TEDx speaker, David combines his legal expertise with innovative approaches to personal growth. Through his LinkedIn newsletter “Law Life” and speaking engagements, he helps attorneys build resilience and achieve sustainable success in the demanding legal profession.
Hannah Akintoye
Attorney, Hannah Akintoye Law, PLLC
Attorney Hannah Akintoye is the managing attorney of Hannah Akintoye Law, PLLC, a premier Washington, DC litigation law firm focused on criminal defense, DUI, expungement, and injury representation.
In addition to managing her law firm, Attorney Akintoye has become a leader in legal marketing, amassing an organic YouTube following of over 16k subscribers. Attorney Akintoye is a community speaker, motivational speaker, and legal marketing mentor for attorneys looking to organically grow their client base.
Tips from The Mansion: Elite Automation Strategies Your Firm Needs
In criminal defense, time is everything. Clients reach out at some of the most stressful times in their lives—right after being accused or charged. But if your firm is bogged down with manual tasks, it can slow you down when speed matters most.
Join Criminal Defense Attorney Amelia Power, live from her office in a historic mansion in the Mile High City, as she shares how to use automation to make your firm run smoother. In this session, you’ll learn:
- The best areas to automate—from client intake to managing payments
- How legal software can help you stay on top of files, court dates, and admin tasks
- Easy tips to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls
Amelia Power
Partner, Power & Carty Defense
Amelia Power is a practicing Criminal Defense Attorney and the Founder of Power Law, LLC. The firm handles a range of criminal defense cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies and represents adult and juvenile clients at both the trial and post-conviction level. Working from a historical mansion in Denver, Colorado, Amelia is a strong believer in automation, efficiency, and making data-driven decisions on how to run her business. From day one, she’s used Clio Manage to run her practice—and it wasn’t long before she decided to adopt Clio Grow as well to help streamline her intake process.
Quick Break
Stretch, snack, socialize…or respond to that email!
For Non Clio Users
Watch How Criminal Defense Attorneys Use Clio
Your criminal defense clients often need your attention fast. Learn how Clio can help you cut down on routine tasks, so you can focus on what really matters. In this session, Clio’s product expert will show you how our software can help you:
- Keep track of important case details—like charges, court dates, and criminal history—using custom fields
- Communicate securely with clients through Clio’s client portal
- Offer flexible payment options that meet your clients’ needs
Logan Day
Senior Account Executive, Clio
Logan Day is a Senior Account Executive at Clio, working with mid to large-sized law firms. Logan comes to Clio with over 7 years of experience in business development and consulting, and is passionate about helping firms “match the modern client journey”. When not helping firms streamline their operations, he enjoys travelling, running, reading, and spending time with his two dogs, Daisy and Olly.
For Clio Users
How Criminal Defense Firms Can Make the Most of Clio
Already using Clio but not sure if you’re getting the most out of it? Join this session to learn from our product team about the features and workflows that criminal defense firms—and their clients—find most helpful.
We’ll cover how to use Clio to:
- Keep client communication safe and secure
- Make billing and getting paid faster
- Organize files so you find exactly what you need, when you need it
- Stay on top of cases, even while you’re on the move
Anastasiia Sviridenko
Intermediate Customer Support Specialist, Clio
Anastiasiia is an experienced customer support specialist with a strong background in legal technology and software solutions. Specializes in assisting law firms with technology adoption, troubleshooting complex cases, and enhancing customer experience.
Anton Steinbeck
Account Executive, Clio
Anton Steinbeck serves as an Account Executive on Clio’s Customer Sales team, specializing in empowering clients with customized legal technology solutions that streamline operations and address their specific needs. With over five years of expertise in business development and consultative sales, Anton is passionate about driving meaningful results for law firms. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring new destinations, staying active through sports, and indulging his love for cooking.
Effective Cross Examination: Strategies, Tactics, and Tips for Witness Questioning
Cross-examination can be one of the most critical moments of a case. It’s your opportunity to uncover the truth and control the narrative of the trial. In this session, we’ll walk through easy-to-follow strategies that can help you:
- Ask focused, strategic questions that reveal inconsistencies
- Challenge a witness’s credibility by referencing their prior statements
- Keep your composure and confidence, even when the pressure builds
Juanita Kimble
Partner at EHG Law Firm
Juanita is a Partner at EHG Law Firm, a preeminent criminal defense firm in Georgia. She represents clients facing a wide range of criminal charges, including DUI, drug offenses, serious traffic violations, and other complex criminal matters.
Before joining EHG Law Firm, Juanita served as an assistant public defender in Atlanta, where she handled hundreds of cases annually and developed extensive courtroom experience. Her expertise in criminal defense includes advanced training in impairment assessments and investigative techniques, making her a trusted advocate in challenging cases.
Juanita’s reputation for legal excellence has earned her speaking engagements at national and local legal seminars, where she educates attorneys on various criminal defense strategies. Her unwavering dedication to her clients and commitment to justice make her an invaluable asset to the legal community.
Nefra MacDonald
Director, Strategic Engagement at Clio
Nefra MacDonald is a legal technology and wellness speaker who, as the Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement at Clio, works with bar associations and other legal organizations to help lawyers succeed in their practices. With over a decade of experience in the legal industry, Nefra understands the pain points that affect law firms, and she uses her expertise to help lawyers streamline processes and run a better business. Nefra is passionate about bringing a practical lens to each one of her presentations, so each attendee leaves with a takeaway that can improve their day-to-day. She has been a speaker at the Clio Cloud Conference, ABA TECHSHOW, and many other legal conferences across North America.
Better Defense, Fairer Justice: A conversation with Michael Semanchik and Stephen Patterson
In March 2024 Stephen Patterson was exonerated and declared innocent in Los Angeles Superior Court after serving 18 years for a wrongful conviction crime following investigations by The Innocence Center and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit.
In this important conversation, Stephen Patterson and Michael Semanchik will discuss the need for criminal justice reforms to prevent similar injustices in the future as they cover how to:
- Build client trust, avoid unethical shortcuts, and balance business pressures with ethical obligations.
- Recognize how the justice system can fail defendants and the unfair tactics used to secure convictions.
- Address secondary trauma, maintain professional integrity, and support clients in navigating post-incarceration challenges.
Michael Semanchik
Executive Director of The Innocence Center
Michael Semanchik is the Executive Director of The Innocence Center (TIC), a non-profit law firm based in San Diego. Mike manages TIC’s operations and oversees the day-to-day of the organization. In that role, Mike has overhauled the case intake process and adopted and use of technology. In addition to leading TIC, Mike has freed 11 innocent people from prison who collectively served 171 years in prison for crimes they did not commit. He hosts a wrongful conviction podcast, For the Innocent, that is now in its third season. He grew up in Pittsburgh and lives in San Diego with his wife and kids.
Stephen Patterson
Exonerated Client of Innocence Center
Stephen Patterson was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder in 2007 for a 2005 gang-related shooting in South Los Angeles, despite maintaining his innocence and having an alibi. He was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison based on a mistaken eyewitness identification. Years later, new investigations by The Innocence Center and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit uncovered evidence identifying the true perpetrators and confirming Patterson’s innocence. On March 13, 2024, after nearly 18 years of wrongful imprisonment, Patterson was exonerated and declared factually innocent. Patterson advocates for criminal legal reforms and assists other innocent individuals as they come home from prison.
Closing Remarks
As we wrap up the summit, we’ll share helpful resources and top learnings from the day.
Networking
Join optional networking rooms to continue to connect with fellow criminal defense legal professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the summit actually free to attend?
Yes, this summit is free to attend!
What sessions are CLE eligible?
2 sessions were CLE eligible:
– Tips from The Mansion: Elite Automation Strategies Your Firm Needs
– Effective Cross Examination: Strategies, Tactics, and Tips for Witness Questioning
*To be eligible for CLE credit, you must attend the sessions live. Viewing them on demand does not qualify for credit.
Will recordings be available?
The recording will be emailed to all registrants. You can still register after the event has taken place to gain access to the recordings.
*CLE credit will not be granted for on-demand sessions.
How do I access the summit?
The summit will be hosted on the Zoom Events platform. When you register, you will receive a calendar hold, so be sure to save the event to your calendar! You will receive your link to access the summit one week prior to the event, as well as reminder emails from Zoom one day and one hour before it kicks off.
What is Clio?
Trusted by over 150,000 lawyers and 100+ bar associations, Clio’s industry leading cloud-based case management software makes it possible to run your firm, organize cases, and collaborate with clients from one place. You can learn more about Clio’s Criminal Law Software here.