Public interest lawyers and private attorneys attended an all-day “Veterans of the Court” Continuing Legal Education seminar held by the Law Office of Public Defender Matt Shirk.
The Nov. 3 event took place at in the auditorium of the Public Defender’s Office new office at the Jake Godbold City Hall Annex at 407 N. Laura St.
The event attracted members of the Clay, Jacksonville and Nassau County Bar Associations as well as assistant public defenders. More than 70 people attended.
Presentations covered several facets of the law. Attorneys spoke in their areas of expertise.
The keynote speaker was attorney William “Bill” Sheppard, who presented “Veterans Issues and Constitutional Law.”
Other attorneys and professionals presenting information were:
• Hugh Cotney, “Ethics and Professionalism.”
• Richard Kuritz, “Jury Selection, Opening and Closing,”
• David Robbins, “DUI Defense.”
• Bryan Gowdy, “Preservation of Error.”
• Tad Delegal, “Administrative Issues with Pleas and Convictions.”
• Hal Bennett, defense investigator and retired Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer, “A View from the Badge.”
The seminar was organized and led by Chief Assistant Public Defender Refik Eler.
He said the Public Defender’s Office intends to offer similar CLE programs in the future.