-1-

THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT CLERK (TXN),THE DALLAS FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION,

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS DALLAS COLLEGE OF LAW,

ANDTHE OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER (TXN)

Are Pleased To Sponsor The

2017 ANNUAL FEDERAL CRIMINAL PRACTICE SEMINAR July 26-28, 2017

UNT Dallas College of Law, 1901 Main St.Dallas, Texas, 75201

OverviewThis year’s Dallas Federal Criminal Practice Seminar brings an assortment of

cutting-edge material and instruction to benefit the less-experienced and experienced practitioner alike. As a result of recent jurisprudential decisions and political developments, this year’s event focuses particularly upon sentencing matters. So, if you’re wanting to solidify (or increase) your understanding of federal criminal law’s increasingly-focused sentencing considerations, this seminar is the one for you.

The 2017 event will take place at the University of North Texas Dallas College of Law (located in downtown Dallas at 1901 Main Street) from July 26 to 28th. The State Bar of Texas has approved the seminar’s curricula for 20 hours of continuing legal education credit, of which 5 hours qualifies for ethics credit.

The 2017 Seminar

This year’s seminar will meet in plenary session(s). On Wednesday, July 26th, attendees will meet: (1) to learn about high-interest federal practice topics; (2) to hear a lunchtime Ethics presentation; and (3) to help untangle a garden-variety federal “guns-and-drugs” case scenario.

On Thursday, July 27th, attendees will meet in plenary session to focus primarily upon various aspects of federal sentencing. The morning session will provide in-depth instruction on how recent Supreme Court decisions control the treatment of defendants’ previous convictions for purposes of federal sentencings. The presentation will take admittedly-complex material and (hopefully!) break it down into more understandable concepts and hands-on practices. After listening to a one-hour lunch session on the ethics implications emanating from methamphetamine-sentencing practices, attendees will meet

-2-

again in plenary session to listen to various lectures. The first of these will focus on ways to lodge effective written objections to improperly-calculated Presentence Report (PSR) sentencing ranges. The second will address how defense counsel need respond when a client assumes an adversarial position his defense counsel. And the final presentation will reprise a discussion of the collateral and ethical issues arising during representation in a child pornography case.

Finally, on Friday, July 28th, the seminar focuses on trial practice in federal court. Attendees will meet to receive instruction in various aspects of federal trial practice including: (1) effective communication with the jury; (2) meaningful voir dire; (3) engaging the jury with your opening statement; (4) artful cross-examination; and (5) compelling closing arguments. The day will also include a lunchtime Ethics presentation.

A More In-depth Course Description

Wednesday: General Topics and Scenario-based instruction.

The seminar will begin on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. Participants will meet in plenary session to hear opening remarks and housekeeping matters, followed by presentations concerning: (1) E-Discovery in the Northern District of Texas and how that process accommodated the defense in the recent John Wiley Price case; (2) Immigration law implications on criminal law practice; and (3) Insights into achieving sentencing objectives from the Bureau of Prisons.

Lunch is covered by the seminar tuition costs and will consist of boxed-lunches or similar fare brought in from local eateries—during the meal, seminar participants will hear from a speaker addressing ethics-related topics germane to federal practice.

The afternoon plenary session will offer a moderated three-hour block of instruction taught by a panel consisting of two attorneys (trial and appellate litigators) and possibly an investigator. The panel will review a case scenario involving a “typical” federal case. This year’s scenario is once again a “guns-and-drugs” prosecution involving multiple firearms, two or more drug types, the potential for various statutory enhancements, and some wide-ranging Sentencing Guideline, restitution, and forfeiture issues. For purposes of this block of instruction, the defendant will eventually have been convicted (by plea or trial). Attendees will receive the scenario in advance—it will also be posted online—and the panel instructors will walk through the case from the time of appointment through sentencing.

Day One will finish with a social hour.

-3-

Thursday: Federal Sentencing Developments

On Thursday, July 27th, sign-in will again begin at 8:00 a.m. Attendees will attend a 3-hour block of plenary instruction during which the instructors will proceed deliberately and slowly to explain and re-explain the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions upon federal criminal sentencings. The material is complicated, but the importance of the subject matter cannot be overstated. For this reason, the seminar instructors are especially focused on presenting the material in an understandable, workable fashion.

During the lunch break, attendees may snag a boxed lunch and eat while listening to an Ethics presentation involving the Sentencing Guidelines’ methamphetamine calculus. Assistant Federal Defender Christopher Curtis and his co-faculty will expound on one of the seminar’s most-critical subjects: the ethical obligations arising from the need to craft various sentencing objections and variance requests.

The afternoon agenda will consist of three presentations: (1) effective ways to lodge effective written objections to improperly-calculated Presentence Report (PSR) sentencing ranges; (2) way for defense counsel to respond when a client files “a writ” against defense counsel; and (3) a discussion of the collateral and ethical issues arising during representation in a child pornography case. This will conclude the day’s instruction.

Friday: Trial Skills

On Friday, July 28th, the seminar shifts its focus toward trial skills. Attendees may sign in beginning at 8:00 a.m., after which they will meet in a plenary session for numerous presentations relating to federal court trial practice. Morning sessions will cover Communicating with the Jury; Voir Dire considerations; Cross-examination; and Opening statements. Lunch will again consist of “boxed lunch” type fare and attendees will be free to eat in-place. During the lunch hour, attendees will hear an Ethic presentation. In the afternoon, the seminar will close out with a presentation on Closing Statements.

-4-

AGENDA

GENERAL TOPICS & SCENARIO INSTRUCTION (WEDNESDAY)

July 26, 2017

8:00 - 8:20 A.M. Welcome / Registration. UNT Dallas College of Law Lobby (Lobby)

8:30 - 8:45 A.M. Welcoming Remarks. Fourth Floor, Room 410

Jason D. Hawkins, Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Texas

Karen Mitchell, United States District Clerk for the Northern District of Texas

Mackenzie S. Wallace, Thompson & Knight, LLP, Pres. Dallas Chapter—Federal Bar Association

Judge (Ret’d) Royal Furgeson, Dean, University of North Texas Dallas College of Law

8:45 – 9:45 A.M. Managing Electronic Discovery in the John Wiley Price Case with the Help of the Northern District of Texas’ Discovery Server. Room 410

Marlo Cadeddu, Marlo P. Cadeddu, P.C., Dallas, TxChris Knox, The Knox Law Firm, Dallas, TxJason Hawkins, Federal Public Defender, NDTXBrett Welaj, Computer Systems Administrator, Office of theFederal Defender, NDTX

Cases involving terabytes of electronic discovery are increasingly common. The recent high profile case of John Wiley Price involved eight terabytes of electronic discovery accumulated from a multi-year investigation. Mr. Knox, who represented John Wiley Price, and Ms. Cadeddu, who represented co-defendant Dapheny Fain, will talk about the challenges they encountered with the production of the

-5-

discovery and strategies for dealing with this amount of material. Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Welaj will address the NDTX’s creation and implementation of a Discovery Server to aid defense counsel and host future massive e-discovery cases. They will explain not only how this server is configured but also how to navigate it when reviewing terabyte-discovery quantities.

09:45 – 10:00 A.M. BREAK

10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Immigration Law: An Update. Room 410

Presenter: Jody Goodwin, Law Office of Jodi Goodwin, Harlingen, Texas

Immigration law is fast-paced and ever-changing.  This session will provide an overview of immigration law as it relates to consequences of criminal convictions.  Know what your obligations are under Padilla v. Kentucky and learn to spot those immigration issues you need to when representing foreign-born defendants.  The session will include discussions of citizenship, removability, and available waivers of removal.

11:00 – 12:00 P.M. Best Practices at Sentencing: a BOP Perspective. Rm. 410

Paul Irby, Senior Counsel, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Designation & Sentence Computation Ctr.,Grand Prairie, Tx

This session will discuss how the Federal Bureau of Prisons applies statutes and policies to calculate inmate sentence computations. The speaker will provide information regarding how prior custody credit is applied in particular circumstances and the suggested language to be used to effectuate the sentencing court's intent.

-6-

12:00 – 1:10 P.M. LUNCH & LUNCH SPEAKER

Fundamental Considerations of Professional Ethics inFederal Criminal Defense. Room 410

Michael Sokolow, First Assistant FPD, SDTX (Houston)

This presentation covers numerous ethical issues that arise in representing a defendant in a federal criminal case as well as the applicable ethical rules and case law that govern defense counsel's actions in facing these issues.

[Note: This presentation has been submitted for Ethics credit.]

1:20 –4:30 P.M. Scenario Instruction: “Guns and Drugs.” Room 410

Erin Brennan, AFPD, NDTX (Fort Worth)Matthew Wright, AFPD, NDTX (Amarillo)Joe Saal, Senior FPD Investigator, NDTX (Dallas)

Moderated by: Chris Curtis, AFPD AND Office Chief, NDTX (FtW)

The panel will work through a typical “guns & drugs” case scenario and the various issues that accompany it. The panel’s discussions will include the charging statutes; various pretrial motions; sentencing guideline issues; various “good” and “not so good” outcomes; appellate preservation; and more.

4:30 – 5:30 P.M. Hosted Social Hour. Lobby

-7-

FEDERAL SENTENCING (THURSDAY )

July 27, 2017

8:00 - 8:20 A.M. Welcome / Registration. Lobby

8:30 - 8:45 A.M. Welcoming Remarks. Fourth Floor, Room 410

Shery Kime-Goodwin, AFPD and Office Chief Lubbock, Northern District of Texas Carolyn Hill, CJA Panel Representative, Northern District

8:45 –12:00 P.M. In the wake of Johnson and Mathis: current issues in prior conviction enhancements. Room 410

Brandon Beck, AFPD, NDTX (Lubbock)Jessica Graf, AFPD, NDTX (Dallas) In this three hour block, we will be discussing the current and future state of the law as affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in Johnson v. United States and Mathis v. United States. The focus will be on Supreme Court precedent and the Fifth Circuit’s application of in the past 18 months. We will then discuss unresolved issues and approaches to arguing those issues before district and appellate courts.

12:10 – 1:10 P.M. LUNCH & LUNCH SPEAKER:

Methamphetamine purity and other sentencing issues: The ethical implications of not objecting to—and not requesting variances—in federal district court. Room 410

Christopher Curtis, AFPD & Branch Chief, (Fort Worth)Gabriel Reyes, AFPD, NDTX (Dallas)Lauren Woods, AFPD, NDTX (Dallas)

AFPDs Curtis, Reyes, and Woods will examine the various empirical flaws associated with the current methamphetamine guideline analyses. They will highlight and discuss the

-8-

professional and ethical responsibility of objecting to guideline calculations and requesting variances under the methamphetamine and other guideline sections.

[Note: This presentation has been submitted for Ethics credit.]

1:30 – 2:30 P.M. “Making Technical Arguments Understandable” (Jessica Graf) and “How to Tell a Story and Why: Narrative Storytelling in Legal Writing” (Brandon Beck): Room 410

Brandon Beck, AFPD, NDTX (Lubbock)Jessica Graf, AFPD, NDTX (Dallas)

Ms. Graff we will discuss best practices for explaining complicated legal issues, such as Johnson and Mathis, in objections and sentencing memoranda. She will provide ways for breaking down admittedly tough issues in a simple, digestible fashion to ensure that courts can not only follow along bust also rule in the client’s favor. Mr. Beck will describe the mechanics of storytelling and discuss ways to apply storytelling techniques in legal writing.

2:30 – 3:30 P.M. Ethical Considerations in Plea Negotiations, Advisingthe Client, and Sentencing. Room 560

Douglas Morris, AFPD, NDTX (Dallas)

Among other issues related to ethics, this presentation will focus on recent relevant notification to the client of

pleanegotiations; notification to the client of ancillary harms

related to a finding of guilt in child pornography cases and

others; what is effective assistance of counsel in the area ofaccuracy of guideline calculation; sentencing material; andnotice of appeal.  

[Note: This presentation has been submitted for Ethics credit.]

-9-

3:30 – 3:45 P.M. BREAK

3:45 – 4:45 P.M. The Great Divorce: What to Do When Your Client Files a Post-Conviction Claim of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. Room 410

Matthew Wright, AFPD, NDTX (Amarillo)

Matthew Wright will discuss an attorney's legal and ethical duties when a defendant raises a claim of IAC through a post-conviction writ. Matthew will touch upon the ethical obligations arising when a former client (or former client’s counsel) requests “the file.” He will also identify the specific IAC claim that leads to an evidentiary hearing, and will talk about interacting with your former foe, the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Finally, Matthew will briefly address a very rare occasion: when a dramatic change in the law opens up the window for a new post-conviction attack. Matthew will specifically address whether you remain “on the hook” for that subsequent representation.

[Note: This presentation has been submitted for Ethics credit.]

End of Day Two

-10-

F EDERAL TRIAL SKILLS ( FRIDAY )

July 28, 2017

08:00–08:20 A.M. Welcome / Registration. Lobby

8:30 - 08:45 A.M. Opening Remarks. Fourth Floor, Room 410

Cody Cofer, AFPD, NDTX (Fort Worth)

08:45–09:40 A.M. Communicating with a Jury. Room 410

Greg Westfall, Law Office of Greg Westfall, Fort Worth

This presentation focuses upon developing a theory and rapport within the common constraints of a federal criminal trial.

09:40–9:50 A.M. BREAK

09:50–10:45 A.M. Voir Dire. Room 410

Michael Lehmann, AFPD, NDTX (Fort Worth)

This presentation focuses upon ways to gain momentum in your client’s federal criminal trial--in 20 minutes (or less!)

10:45–11:40 A.M. Opening Statement. Room 410

Reagan Wynn, Law Offices of Kearney / Wynn, Fort Worth, TX

This presentation focuses upon getting out to an early lead: framing the trial with your story.

-11-

11:40–11:50 A.M. BREAK

11:50 A.M–12:50 P.M. LUNCH & LUNCH SPEAKER

Ethics considerations at Trial. Room 410

Richard Anderson, Esq.

Noted trial attorney and former Federal Public Defender Richard Anderson makes a triumphant return to The DFW Metroplex to share his insights into various ethics considerations flowing from trial and sentencing.

[Note: This presentation has been submitted for Ethics

credit.]

12:50–1:00 P.M. BREAK

1:00–1:50 P.M. Cross-Examination. Room 410

Shirley Baccus-Lobel, Law Offices of Shirley Baccus-Lobel, P.C., Fort Worth, TX

This presentation focuses on developing techniques for effective cross-examination.

1:50–2:40 P.M. Closing Argument. Room 410

Cody Cofer, AFPD, NDTX (Fort Worth)

This presentation focuses on techniques to compel and to empower a jury--to accept your client’s marching orders!

2:40-2:50 P.M. Closing Remarks. Room 410

-12-

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES

Richard AndersonRichard Anderson has practiced criminal defense law since he was licensed in 1973. He is a past president of the Dallas Criminal Defense lawyers Association; a past president of the Texas Criminal Defense lawyers Association; a past chairman of the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas; and formerly the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas. In 2013 he was elected to the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers hall of Fame.

Shirley Baccus-Lobel Most recently, Shirley Baccus-Lobel successfully tried the high-profile John Wiley Price case. She has a national practice including federal criminal trials, appeals and investigations. Ms. Lobel served with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D. C. in a supervisory capacity and with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas as Criminal Chief and First Assistant U.S. Attorney prior to entering private practice. She has extensive experience writing and instructing on federal criminal law and trial advocacy.She has been named in Best Lawyers in America and is a Texas Monthly Super Lawyer (white collar criminal defense). She has written and lectured for numerous professional organizations and has contributed articles to professional journals, including the ABA's Litigation Magazine. Ms. Lobel is a fellow of the Dallas and the Texas Bar Foundations and is a member of the American Bar Association and numerous other professional organizations.

Brandon BeckBrandon Beck is an appellate attorney with the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas and adjunct professor of legal practice at Texas Tech University School of Law. Before entering the world of federal criminal law, Professor Beck spent three years practicing civil trial and appellate litigation in Tyler, Texas. He has an undergraduate degree in classics from The University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in religious studies from Boston University, and a law degree from Texas Tech. He is a 2012 inductee into both the National Order of Barristers and the National Order of Scribes.

Taylor W. BrownT.W. Brown is an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Fort Worth Division of the

-13-

Northern District of Texas. Before taking his current position, T.W. worked as a Research and Writing Specialist in the Fort Worth Division and an Assistant Public Defender for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in Las Cruces, New Mexico. T.W. is a 2013 graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Marlo P. CadedduMarlo Cadeddu is a magna cum laude of Georgetown Law and has undergraduate and graduate degrees from John Hopkins in International Relations and Economics. Prior to law school, Marlo worked in international banking in New York and Baltimore, Maryland. Marlo clerked for now Senior District Judge A. Jose Fish of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas prior to entering solo federal criminal defense practice.

Cody CoferCody Cofer has tried more than 60 cases to a jury. He became Board Certified in Criminal Law in 2013. His trial experience includes both state and federal cases ranging from drug possession to murder. Cody has spoken on a variety of criminal law topics such as jury selection and complex evidentiary issues.

Before becoming an AFPD, Cody managed his own criminal law practice in Fort Worth. While in private practice, he was recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star and Fort Worth Magazine “Top Attorney.”

Currently, Cody is serving as a Board member for the Tarrant County Bar Association. Previously, he served on the Board for the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association.

Christopher A. Curtis1A 1986 graduate of Baylor University School of Law, and a 1983 graduate of Baylor University, Chris has been with the Federal Public Defender’s office in the Northern District of Texas since February, 2002. Prior to that, Chris was an Assistant United States Attorney from December 1990 until July 2000. From July 2000 until February 2002, Chris worked in private practice and also worked for the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT).

Chris has written and presented course materials for the State Bar of Texas, Advanced Criminal Law Course on the topics of Federal Criminal Practice and Federal Health Care Fraud Prosecutions. Chris has also written and presented course materials for the CJA panel training in the Northern District of Texas and the Dallas Federal Bar Association while he was in private practice and as an Assistant Federal Public Defender. For several years, Chris routinely prepared and presented course materials for the annual training in

-14-

the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Texas and has taught on the topic of health care fraud prosecutions for the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Jessica GrafJessica Graf joined the Federal Public Defender's Office in Fort Worth as a Research and Writing Specialist in July of 2015. Jessica graduated summa cum laude from Texas Tech School of Law in 2014, where she was a member of the Law Review and competed in multiple national moot court competitions. Following graduation, she clerked for Judge Cathy Cochran and Judge David Newell at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys watching sci-fi television shows with her husband and three dogs.

1 Jason D. Hawkins Upon graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1995, Jason became a law clerk and Pro Se Staff Attorney for the Greatest American, the Honorable Royal Furgeson, former United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas and current Dean of the University of North Texas Dallas College of Law.

His career in the Federal Public Defenders Office started in 1999, when he went to work in the Capital Habeas Unit in Phoenix, Arizona, representing death row prisoners. He won a ruling that Arizona’s rules for restoring death row inmate to competency were unconstitutional in Amaya-Ruiz v. Stewart. Jason also drafted the briefly successful argument that the Supreme Court's decision in Ring v. Arizona (holding Arizona's death penalty sentencing scheme unconstitutional) should apply retroactively to all of Arizona's death row prisoners. Ultimately Justice Scalia disagreed and, writing for the majority, reversed the Ninth Circuit’s decision.

Growing weary of the eternal sunshine, Jason left Phoenix in 2001 and accepted a position with the Federal Public Defenders Office in Dallas. He was named appellate chief in 2008 and his wins before the Fifth Circuit have generally come in either unpublished per curiam opinions or sweeping published opinions “limit[ing] the precedential value of [the] holding to cases presenting indistinguishable facts in all material respects.” United States v. Willis, 563 F.3d 168 (5th Cir. 2009). In November 2011, he argued and lost before the Supreme Court in Setser v. United States, 10-7387. Justice Scalia once again proved to be Jason’s nemesis.

He was later moved out of the appellate section and named First Assistant when former Federal Public Defender Richard Anderson became despondent over the new and creative ways Jason was making harmful precedent. Hoping to completely remove him from ever

-15-

appearing in court again, the Honorable Carl Stewart, Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit, sentenced Jason to 48 months as the Federal Public Defender on August 26, 2013. Jason is now in charge of making sure everyone has enough paper and pencils to go to court. In his spare time he and his wife can be found in a gym supporting their two daughters’ club volleyball habits.

Ray HerreraRay Herrera works as an Investigator for the Federal Defender’s Lubbock office, coming to the office previously from the Western District of Texas. Ray has also worked as a Criminal Investigator with the United States Customs Service in El Paso; and as an Investigator/Compliance Officer with the Texas Medical Board.

When Ray is not chasing down or interviewing witnesses, he is coaching a U14 boys soccer team.  He took over a team with a losing record, and has led them to "back to back" league championships!  He hopes to one day receive a call asking him to coach the U.S. Men's National Team!

Jodi GoodwinJodi Goodwin has practiced immigration law exclusively for the past 17 years. Jodi’s practice focuses particularly on complex litigation and waivers. Before founding her law office she worked with the U.S. Department of Justice as an attorney for the Immigration Court. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for immigration law and recognized by Texas Super lawyers as one of the top 5% in immigration law, in 2007 Jodi received the Arthur C. Helton Award for Advancement of Human Rights by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Jodi also holds several positions with the American Immigration Lawyers Association including Past Chair of the Texas Chapter of AILA, national and local liaison committees with Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Apart from her professional volunteerism, she also devotes much of her time to the Girl Scouts of America serving as a Troop Leader. Jodi is a graduate of the University of Texas and St. Mary's University.

Paul IrbyPaul Irby serves as a senior counsel at the United States Bureau of Prisons where he currently reviews sentencing computations, classifications, and other related matters. This, in addition to overseeing a legal department charged with determining inmate eligibilities for various BOP programs. When not doing all that, Paul is often on the road conducting in-house and external training sessions regarding federal inmate designation issue and sentencing computation policies and law. Paul is a 2001 graduate of the

-16-

University of Oklahoma School of Law.Shery Kime-GoodwinShery Kime-Goodwin joined the Office of the Federal Public Defender fifteen years ago after being in private practice for six years. Prior to joining the office, she worked for the law firms of Mullin Hoard & Brown, L.L.P., and Langston Law Offices, P.C., where her practice focused on bankruptcy, banking, and commercial litigation. For the past ten years, she has been an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University School of Law teaching legal research and writing. She also coaches the Texas Tech Law School National Arbitration team and her teams have won the ABA national championships four times in the past eight years and her most recent teams were national semi-finalists.

Chris KnoxChris Knox has represented attorneys, doctors, accountants, CEOs, presidents of corporations, elected officials, and various other professionals during all stages of investigations and legal proceedings. Additionally, Mr. Knox has conducted investigations and electronic data review for colleges and corporations experiencing security breaches and manipulation of internal servers. Mr. Knox has been named as a “Super Lawyer” and honored as one of the best lawyers in Texas by Super Lawyers magazine. He has also been a guest speaker - focusing on the areas of trial advocacy, trial tactics, cross-examination, evidence, electronic data review, and investigative techniques - at the Dallas Police Headquarters and numerous other legal seminars.

Most recently, Mr. Knox represented Commissioner John Wiley Price in United States federal court and was tasked with conducting a thorough, systematic review of 8 terabytes of data.

Michael LehmannMichael joined the Fort Worth Division of the Federal Public Defender’s Office as a trial attorney in 2014. He was previously a member of the CJA Panel in private practice, a Dallas County Public Defender, and an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas. He earned a degree in Plan II from the University of Texas and a Juris Doctor at University of Colorado School of Law. He enjoys reading Harry Potter novels with his daughter, laughing through Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes with his wife, and contemplating the meaning of life with his dog.

Douglas Morris

-17-

Doug Morris graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2002.  He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Nancy Koenig, United States Magistrate Judge, Northern District of Texas.  In 2003, he completed his clerkship and started working first as a Research and Writing Specialist and then later that year as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Federal Public Defender in the Northern District of Texas in the office in Dallas, Texas.  He continues to work as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Dallas, Texas.

John NicholsonJohn Nicholson has been a trial lawyer at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Dallas since November of 2005 and the First Assistant since November of 2014. Before that, he was a Navy JAG Officer. Over the years, John has been part of the FPD team that has secured numerous acquittals and dismissals. But, he has also been an unwilling participant in the government’s successful effort at securing certain precedent. For example, establishing “felony evading as a vehicle” as an ACCA predicate and, in addition, the rule that a District Court may vary upward for lack of remorse even after awarding credit for acceptance of responsibility.

Joel PageJoel Page has worked in the Federal Public Defender’s office here in Dallas since 2004. He started as a Research and Writing Attorney, became an Assistant Federal Public Defender in 2007, and now serves as the supervisor of the Appellate Division. He’s written over 400 briefs to the Fifth Circuit, and helped write merits briefs for two of the office’s cases that went to the Supreme Court. For the past ten years, he’s watched the evolution of Fifth Circuit and Supreme Court jurisprudence regarding criminal history enhancements, and helped obtain appellate relief from these enhancements in at least ten cases. Gabriel ReyesGabriel Reyes is an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. He has experience on cases ranging from white collar crime (bank fraud, tax fraud, and other financial crimes) to drug trafficking to illegal reentry. In the roughly five years of practice devoted exclusively to federal criminal law, he has obtained complete dismissals of drug trafficking, prohibited persons in possession of a firearm, and illegal reentry charges. He has also been a part of trial teams representing clients with success on money laundering, environmental crime and other complex charges. Prior to joining the Dallas office in 2014, Mr. Reyes worked for the Western District's Federal Public Defender Office (Alpine/ Pecos Division) and was engaged in private practice. In the fall of 2015, Mr. Reyes worked for a private firm in New York City but he has since returned to Texas and rejoined the Dallas FPD's office.

-18-

Brett WelajBrett Welaj has been the Computer Systems Administrator for the Federal Public Defender’s Office since February, 2007. He was instrumental in the national FPD migration from Novell to Microsoft network operating systems. Most recently he worked to develop a solution for multi-defendant mass discovery cases. This solution centralizes discovery within the FPD office and allows attorneys and legal support to efficiently search and organize large volumes of data where in the past such tasks were all but impossible. Brett tires easily so only likes short walks on the beach.

Greg WestfallGreg Westfall has tried close to 100 cases as a defense attorney. He became Board Certified in Criminal Law in 2000. His experience ranges from capital murder trials to federal defense of material support of terrorism. Throughout his career, Greg has been keenly interested in how we can better communicate with juries. He conducts focus groups for other attorneys and writes and teaches extensively on the subject of juror communication and persuasion both in Texas and at Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming.

Greg has a reputation for intense preparation and formidable trial skills. This reputations has earned him recognition by his peers as a Thomson/Reuters “Super Lawyer”® every year since the list was created, an AV® Rating from Martindale Hubbell and a listing in their Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and recognition as a Fort Worth, Texas Magazine “Top Lawyer” every year since the list was created.

Matthew WrightMatthew Wright is an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Dallas, Texas. He practices primarily in appeals before the Fifth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court.Matthew is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law. He previously served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt in Houston. Matthew has also worked as an associate at Sidley Austin in Washington D.C. and at Mullin, Hoard, & Brown in Amarillo, Texas.

Reagan Wynn Reagan Wynn regularly tries complex and high-profile jury trials. He became Board Certified in Criminal Law in 2002. Reagan is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and was President of the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association in 2006. Additionally, Reagan serves as Co-Chair of the Amicus Curiae Committee of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association.

-19-

Reagan has been elected by his peers to be listed in The Best Lawyers in America from 2005-present, and was one of three Fort Worth attorneys to be named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America for 2011. Reagan has also been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly in 2003, 2005, and from 2007-present and as a "Top Attorney" by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine. Reagan is AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.