2026 Criminal Law Seminar

Click the "Register Now" button to sign-up for this event. Lunch is provided to in-person attendees.

On May 15, explore the intricacies of criminal law at the 2026 ISBA Criminal Law Seminar. Legal experts will discuss emerging trends, recent case law, and effective strategies for both defense and prosecution. 

In addition to the Criminal Law Seminar, the ISBA Juvenile Law Seminar will be taking place the prior day on May 15. Those interested in registering for both may do so by visiting this page. All pricing options can be found below. 

CRIMINAL LAW SCHEDULE - MAY 15
8:00 - 8:30 - "Trash Rips" and a Few Other Dirty Search Related Topics - Jeremiah Geffe, Polk County Attorney's Office 
8:30 - 9:30 - Ethics - Tara van Brederode, Attorney Disciplinary Board
9:30 - 10:15 - Immigration Update - Larrisa Alire, Assistant State Public Defender
10:15 - 10:30 - Break 
10:30 - 11:30 - Preserving Eyewitness Identifications - Prof. Miko Wilford, Iowa State University 
11:30 - 12:00 - Court-appointed Interpreters and ADA Accommodations - Emily Chafa
12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch (provided with in-person registration) 
12:30 - 1:00 - Legislative Update - Jennifer Dorman, Carney & Appleby Law and Seth Jones, Carney & Appleby Law
1:00 - 2:00 - Criminal Law Case Update - Hon. Paul Ahlers, Iowa Court of Appeals
2:00 - 2:15 - Break
2:15 - 3:15 - Going to Court is Expensive: Fees, Fines, Ability to Pay Court Appointed Counsel, and Poverty - Andrea Flanagan, Flanagan Law Group, PLLC; Hon. Scott Rosenberg, District Court Judge; District 5C; Paul Rosenberg, Paul Rosenberg & Associates; and Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, Iowa Legal Aid
3:15 - 4:15 - Youth on Trial: Reverse Waivers, Adult Courts, and the Future of Juvenile Justice - Rachel Antonuccio, Waterloo Juvenile State Public Defender; Elly Nuñez, Juvenile Court Officer, Iowa Judicial Branch; Matthew Sheeley, State Public Defender; and Andrea Vitzthum, Polk County Assistant Attorney
4:15 - 5:00 - Problem-Solving Justice: A Look at Specialty Courts Across Iowa - Bob DiBlasi, Assistant Polk County; Jake Feuerhelm, Feuerhelm Law Office PC; Hon. Joseph Seidlin, District Court Judge, District 5C; and Jeff Schultz, Supervisor, Probation and Parole, District 5

CLE CREDIT (pending)
8 state CLE hours which includes 1 ethics and 1 diversity hour

REGISTRATION FEES
The prices below reflect the standard registration rate. A $25 late fee will be added on to all registrations received after May 8, 2026 (law students and ISBA CLE Season Pass Holders are excluded from late fee).

Criminal Law Seminar Only
ISBA Family and Juvenile Law Section Members - $175
ISBA Members - $190
ISBA YLD Members (Years 1-5) - $130
Non-ISBA Members - $300
Law Students - Free
ISBA CLE Season Pass Holders - Free

CRIMINAL LAW REGISTRATION

Bundle Pricing for Criminal and Juvenile Law
ISBA Family and Juvenile Law or Criminal Law Section Members - $280
ISBA Members - $320
ISBA YLD Members (Years 1-5) - $200
Non-ISBA Members - $420
Law Students - Free
ISBA CLE Season Pass Holders - Free

BUY THE BUNDLE

Contact the ISBA's Membership Department at 515-697-7870 to join an ISBA section. Fee to join a section is $20.

ATTENDANCE PREFERENCE
Please select attendance preference (ISBA Building or Live Webinar) when registering for this event. In-person attendance will take place at the ISBA Building (625 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309). Lunch is provided to in-person attendees.

MATERIALS
Once registered, any event materials will be located below. From there, registrants can download the materials of their choosing. Please make sure you're signed into the ISBA website when trying to access materials.

Sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association Criminal Law Section

Any cancellations must be received by May 12, 2026. Please send cancellation request to cle@iowabar.org or call 515-697-7874.