Criminal Law Section of the California Lawyers Association

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Criminal Law Section of the California Lawyers Association

The Criminal Law Section serves to protect the public and furthers the knowledge of our members in federal and state criminal law and procedures.

We are committed to accessibility! Learn more at https://calawyers.org/accessibility/

08/21/2026

Happening TODAY

Is Section 230 still protecting social media platforms or is the legal landscape changing?

Join us for Meta on Trial: Section 230, Platform Liability, and the Future of Social Media Harm.

Joseph McNally, Director of Emerging Litigation at McNicholas and McNicholas and former Acting United States Attorney, will examine major cases involving Meta and discuss Section 230, platform liability, mental health litigation, and the potential for criminal liability.

Earn: 1 Participatory MCLE Credit, 1 Legal Specialization in Criminal Law, 0.5 Implicit Bias, and 0.5 Legal Ethics.

Co-Sponsored by: Litigation Section, Business Law Section, and Solo and Small Firm Section

Register now: https://bit.ly/4fbXMKQ

08/18/2026

Learn from attorneys who have spent decades navigating California's criminal courts.

Join David J. Cohen and Clint C. Christoffersen for an MCLE webinar on judicial challenges in California criminal practice.

With more than 75 jury trials, 60+ direct appeals, and decades of criminal defense experience, David J. Cohen brings deep insight into strategic litigation and judicial challenges. Joining him is Clint C. Christoffersen, whose experience spans serious felony litigation, appellate advocacy, and complex criminal cases throughout California.

They'll share practical guidance on using CCP §§ 170.6 and 170.1 effectively to protect your clients and strengthen your advocacy.

Earn 1 Legal Ethics MCLE Credit, 1 Legal Specialization in Criminal Law Credit, and 1 Participatory MCLE Credit.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4gmSlsS

08/10/2026

Could the judge assigned to your case change the outcome?

Knowing when and how to challenge a judge is a critical skill in California criminal practice.

Join us for "Challenging the Bench: CCP § 170.6 and 170.1 in California Criminal Practice." Learn the practical rules, avoid common pitfalls, and gain strategies for effectively raising judicial challenges to protect your client's interests.

Earn 1 Legal Ethics MCLE Credit, 1 Legal Specialization in Criminal Law Credit, and 1 Participatory MCLE Credit.

Presented by David J. Cohen and Clint Christoffersen.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4gmSlsS

08/05/2026

Joseph McNally, Director of Emerging Torts and Litigation at McNicholas & McNicholas and former Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California, brings decades of trial and leadership experience to the evolving field of social media platform liability and technology-related litigation.

Join Joe for Meta on Trial: Section 230, Platform Liability, and the Future of Social Media Harm and gain insights into one of today's most significant legal issues.

Earn MCLE credit while learning from an accomplished trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor.

Co-Sponsored by: Litigation Section, Business Law Section, and Solo and Small Firm Section

Register now: https://bit.ly/4fbXMKQ

07/22/2026

Is Section 230 still protecting social media platforms or is the legal landscape changing?

Join us for Meta on Trial: Section 230, Platform Liability, and the Future of Social Media Harm.

Joseph McNally, Director of Emerging Litigation at McNicholas and McNicholas and former Acting United States Attorney, will examine major cases involving Meta and discuss Section 230, platform liability, mental health litigation, and the potential for criminal liability.

Earn: 1 Participatory MCLE Credit, 1 Legal Specialization in Criminal Law, 0.5 Implicit Bias, and 0.5 Legal Ethics.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4fbXMKQ

07/10/2026

We are delighted to announce that the Criminal Law Section's Vice Chair and incoming Chair Lara Hoffman was appointed to serve on the Santa Clara Superior Court by Governor Newsom.

Lara Hoffman has been a Senior Staff Attorney and Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School since 2020. She served as a Deputy Federal Public Defender at the Central District of California from 2012 to 2020. Hoffman served as a Law Clerk at various courts including at the U.S. District Court, Central District of California from 2009 to 2012 and at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2008 to 2009. Hoffman received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Roberta S. Hayashi. Hoffman is a Democrat.

Congratulations, Judge Hoffman, on this amazing milestone! We wish you great success in your next steps.

05/20/2026

Happening TODAY

Join us at 12:00 PM for Challenging Forensic Science: Exposing Cognitive Bias in Criminal Cases.

Earn MCLE credit while learning how to challenge forensic and expert evidence, uncover bias, and strengthen your defense strategy.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4t5VCB5

05/05/2026

Executive Director of Loyola’s Project for the Innocent, Joseph Trigilio brings extensive experience in wrongful convictions and postconviction litigation. A former federal public defender, he has handled complex habeas and capital cases nationwide.

His work directly informs this webinar’s focus on challenging forensic evidence and exposing cognitive bias in criminal cases.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4t5VCB5

04/20/2026

May 20 | 12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Earn MCLE Credits (Participatory, Ethics, Criminal Law, Implicit Bias)

Learn how to expose cognitive bias in criminal cases and challenge forensic and expert evidence at trial and in postconviction litigation.

Topics include:
- Bias in forensic analysis
- Limits of forensic disciplines
- Discovery strategies
- Breaking down prosecution experts

Gain practical tools to build a stronger defense narrative using timelines, experts, and scientific research.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4t5VCB5

Address

400 Capitol Mall, Suite 650
Sacramento, CA
95814

Website

https://calawyers.org/section/criminal-law/

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