ACDLA Presents: Loosening the Death Belt XXX

January 9-10, 2026

The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel
2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35203

Topics

The seminar will include a variety of topics and offer 12 hours of capital education including 1 ethics hour. 

Hotel Accommodations

The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel
Room Rate: $190.00/night (Thursday-Saturday)
Book Online: ACDLA Seminar Jan 2026 - Start Your Reservation
Room Block Closes: December 8, 2025 or when filled

Registration Open

IN-PERSON ONLY SEMINAR

EARLY BIRD Registration (Until December 31)
ACDLA Members: $400.00
Non-members: $550.00
SAVE!! Non-members CLE & One-Year Membership: $625.00
Circuit Judges: $250.00

LATE Registration (January 1st - 7th)
ACDLA Members: $450.00
Non-members: $600.00
SAVE!! Non-members CLE & One-Year Membership: $675.00
Circuit Judges: $250.00

ON-SITE Registration (January 9th)
 ACDLA Members: $475.00
Non-members: $625.00
SAVE!! Non-members CLE & One-Year Membership: $675.00
Circuit Judges: $250.00

(Non-member Registrations Plus Membership includes one year ACDLA membership. This is for new members not renewing members.
Complete the membership application to utilize the benefits.)

*All registration and membership fees are non-refundable or transferable.
*Registration Includes Materials Download

2026 Loosening the Death Belt XXX Agenda
Presented by Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel
January 9-10, 2026

Topics and times subject to change

Friday, January 9, 2026
7:00 AM Registration

7:55 AM Welcome
Robin Wolfe, ACDLA President

8:00 AM “Visual Investigations: How video evidence, 3d scene reconstruction, and maybe AI can help refine your theory of the case”
Joshua Cohen, Principal, Fat Pencil Studio

9:00 AM “Autism & Capital Cases"
Mark Mahoney, Attorney, Harrington & Mahoney
Dr. Laurie Sperry, Autism Services and Programs

10:00 AM BREAK

10:15 AM “Ethical AI"
Roman Shaul, General Counsel, Alabama State Bar

11:15 AM “The Purpose and Power of Mitigation Investigation”
Dr. Elizabeth Vartkessian, Executive Director, ARC, Inc.

12:15 PM LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

2:15 PM “Military Mitigation II: A Deeper Dive”
Capt. Art Cody(ret.), Director, Center for Veteran Criminal Advocacy

3:15 PM BREAK

3:30 PM “Holding the Line: Practical Strategies for Constitutionally Adequate Voir Dire”
Thea Posel, Professor, University of Texas

4:30 PM ADJOURN

5:30 PM College Football Playoffs Watch Party Until 8:00PM

Saturday, January 10, 2026
7:30 AM Registration

7:55 AM Welcome
Robin Wolfe, ACDLA President

8:00 AM “Getting Life in Parkland”
Nawal Bashimam, Chief Asst. Public Defender, Broward County, FL

9:00 AM “Using Forensic Science to Avoid Death”
Mark Loudon-Brown, Senior Attorney, Southern Center for Human Rights

10:00 AM BREAK

10:15 AM Keynote
Richard S. Jaffe, Attorney, Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight
Gary Drinkard
Christine Freeman & Brian White, Alabama Post Conviction Relief Project

11:45 AM LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
Past Presidents’ Luncheon (Invitation Only)

1:30 PM  “The Rule-Out Method of Criminal Defense” (Zoom)
David Ball, Malekpour & Ball Trial Consulting

2:45 PM BREAK

3:00 PM “Constitutional Capital Voir Dire: How to Avoid Killing Your Client in Jury Selection”
Rebekka Higgs, Attorney, Higgs Law
Casey Secor, Founder & Senior Staff Attorney, Suzerain Capital Defense

4:00 PM “Conveying Lived Experience: Body Mapping as a Mitigation Tool”
Dr. Julie Urbink, Geonarrative Services, LLC

5:00 PM ADJOURN