Conference
Join ARC, Inc. in Lubbock, Texas for our skill-building training led by Dr. Jill Patterson, a national expert in narrative defense and an English Professor at Texas Tech University. Through a series of plenaries and small practice-based workshops, defenders will understand the fundamentals of narrative development to compose written advocacy that is accurate, humane, and persuasive.
THIS TRAINING APPLICATION HAS CLOSED. Please email Mary Roberts at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Dr. Jill Patterson
Conference
ARC, Inc.’s Mitigation Skill-building Training: Writing Stories for Change is tailored for attorneys and other defense team members and led by Dr. Jill Patterson, a national expert in narrative defense and English Professor at Texas Tech University. The program also features Q&A sessions with Dr. Elizabeth Vartkessian, an experienced mitigation specialist with a Ph.D. in Law, who will guide participants through legal and investigative challenges to improve clarity and persuasiveness in legal writing. Faculty will share excerpts from real criminal defense mitigation submissions to demonstrate key concepts.
Through plenary sessions and interactive, practice-based workshops, criminal defense practitioners will learn to compose compelling mitigation narratives for sentencing and advocacy. The training equips defenders with the skills to utilize evidence (such as life records, interviews, photos, etc.) and present their clients’ stories in a way that is both legally relevant and persuasive to judges, juries, parole boards, and other decision-makers. Participants will develop narrative strategies that address key legal principles and case facts, ensuring their advocacy is legally sound and impactful to secure the most equitable outcomes for their clients.
The 2025 agenda will be shared once it has been finalized. See the 2024 agenda here (pdf).
CLE Credits
ARC will seek CLE approval from select states based on needs identified in submitted applications. CLE approval in any jurisdiction is not guaranteed.
Content Warning
This training may include images and discussions that may touch on sensitive topics, including traumatic and personal lived experiences. The inclusion of this material is designed to help participants practice relaying difficult aspects of client stories with clarity, care, and respect. Facilitators and small group leaders will be asked to provide advance notice before sharing any potentially sensitive or distressing content. We also encourage participants to offer content warnings when sharing material that may be distressing to others.
If you have any questions regarding anticipated content or this training overall, please email Mary Roberts at [email protected].
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The application deadline is July 23rd. All 2022, 2023, and 2024 attendees of this training will be waitlisted to allow space for new participants.
Applicants must be …
Financial Assistance
ARC, Inc. provides this and other trainings at no cost to current and prospective defense practitioners. We do this to eliminate as many barriers to high-quality mitigation training as possible. Although the training is free, attendees are responsible for costs associated with participation such as travel, meals, and accommodations. Limited financial assistance covering up to three nights of accommodation is available for training applicants with demonstrated financial need. Registration for the scholarship is now closed. Recipients will be notified by July 30th.
Hotel Information
Confirmed participants are welcome to book accommodations at any of the local hotels. ARC will reserve a block of rooms. More details will be provided soon.
