Faculty of Federal Advocates upcoming events

A Conversation with Colorado's Western Slope Magistrate Judges (Wednesday, August 12, 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"A CONVERSATION WITH COLORADO'S WESTERN SLOPE MAGISTRATE JUDGES"

MAGISTRATE JUDGE JAMES M. CANDELARIA
and
MAGISTRATE JUDGE RICHARD T. GURLEY
u.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

WEBINAR ONLY

FFA invites you for a conversation with our district’s two magistrate judges who serve on the Western Slope: Judge Candelaria, who sits in Durango, and Judge Gurley, who sits in Grand Junction. Many attorneys based on the Front Range rarely have the chance to appear before Judges Candelaria and Gurley, and this program will present a unique opportunity to hear from them on a wide range of topics relevant to both civil and criminal practitioners, including: their backgrounds and pathways to the bench; distinctive regional aspects of their work, including in jury pools and case types; the core functions of their role as magistrate judges, along with practice tips for appearing in their courtrooms and before any magistrate judge, and much more. Whether you practice on the Front Range or the Western Slope, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

2 general CLE credits requested.

Preparing and Evaluating Witnesses for Deposition and Trial (Monday, August 17, 2026)

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"PREPARING AND EVALUATING WITNESSES FOR DEPOSITION AND TRIAL"

ADRIANA COLLADO, Esq.
Collado Law, LLC

WEBINAR ONLY

Every trial lawyer has dealt with “that" witness — the one who seems to have everything down and then says “well, honestly . . ." on cross. This webinar is a refresher on prepping and evaluating witnesses for their moment in the spotlight. From novices to experts to difficult witnesses - we’ll cover rules, tips and tactics for handling each type of person.

2 general CLE credits requested.

Compassion in the Courtroom (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"COMPASSION IN THE COURTROOM"

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE CHARLOTTE SWEENEY
MAGISTRATE JUDGE KATHRYN STARNELLA
U.S. District Court for the
District of Colorado

PROFESSOR RICHARD BARINBAUM
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

WEBINAR ONLY

The program will focus on the role of compassion in litigation. Drawing on his extensive clinical work and experience training judges, Professor Barinbaum will define "compassion," explain how exercising compassion affects us psychologically and physiologically, and describe how using compassion in the courtroom can lead to better outcomes. Judges Sweeney and Starnella will discuss their experiences using compassionate approaches during litigation and the outcomes and barriers they have encountered. The panel will then review ways both civil and criminal practitioners can best prepare themselves and their clients to maximize those outcomes and minimize those barriers.

2 general CLE credits requested.

Neurodiversity in the Legal Workplace (Wednesday, September 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"NEURODIVERSITY IN THE LEGAL WORKPLACE"

RIVER B. SEDAKA, Esq.
Deputy State Public Defender, Appellate
Office of the State Public Defender

WEBINAR ONLY

Neurodiversity refers to differences in how people think, learn, process information, communicate, collaborate, and understand the world around them. It includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and many others. In this session, attendees will learn about common ways that different neurotypes experience the world differently, and in particular, how that shows up in the workplace. The presentation will include suggested strategies for attendees to make their offices more neuroinclusive.

1.5 EDI/ 2 General CLE Credits requested.

2025 in Perspective: Analysis of the Business of the Federal District Court (Friday, September 18, 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
presents

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

"2025 IN PERSPECTIVE: ANALYSIS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT"

MAGISTRATE JUDGE N. REID NEUREITER
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse Jury Assembly Room
901 19th Street, Denver
(This will not be offered as a webinar.)

During this annual CLE presentation, Magistrate Judge Neureiter will provide information that practitioners can use to help the Court fulfill the aspirations of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 1 (the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action or proceeding). The report presents data on civil and criminal trial results and timing, as well as longer-term cumulative data and trends, including:

* Dispositive Motions Practice;
* ADR;
* Pro Se cases;
* Magistrate Judge consent;
* Social Security cases: and
* Appellate outcomes.

Magistrate Judge Neureiter's analysis of court filings and trials in the District provides critical data for all attorneys who litigate in federal court in Colorado and for their clients. The 2024 report is available HERE.

2 general CLE credits requested.

Sneak Attack Federal Civil Practice: Stuff You Don't Think About But Should (Monday, September 28, 2026)

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"SNEAK ATTACK FEDERAL CIVIL PRACTICE: STUFF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT BUT SHOULD"

BRYAN D. CROSS, Esq.
Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP

MICHAEL J. LASZLO, Esq.
Clark Hill, PLC

WEBINAR ONLY

The costliest federal litigation traps are the default rules and quiet deadlines that foreclose an argument before you know it’s at risk. Bryan Cross and Mike Laszlo cover the traps that catch even seasoned practitioners: punitive-damages pleading under Erie, Rule 16(b) & 15(a) amendments, snap removal and LLC-citizenship pitfalls, personal jurisdiction after Ford and Mallory, the critical two-step Rule 50 sequence that preserves your appeal and more!

2 general CLE credits requested.

HOLD THE DATE--FFA Roundtable (Friday, November 06, 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

HOLD THE DATE!

Federal Bench-Bar Roundtable

Friday, November 6, 2026
2-4:30 p.m.

Law Offices of Taft
675 15th Street, Suite 2300, Denver

This program offers a unique opportunity to engage in a series of roundtable discussions between federal and state court judges and federal court practitioners. The afternoon session will include three rounds of discussions at tables with a judge at each.

As the date draws closer, we will include a list of judges who have indicated they will be participating in the Roundtable, and a tentative list of table discussion topics.

Because of limited space, this program is open only to judges and licensed practitioners.

Faculty of Federal Advocates upcoming events

A Conversation with Colorado's Western Slope Magistrate Judges (Wednesday, August 12, 2026)

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"A CONVERSATION WITH COLORADO'S WESTERN SLOPE MAGISTRATE JUDGES"

MAGISTRATE JUDGE JAMES M. CANDELARIA and MAGISTRATE JUDGE RICHARD T. GURLEY u.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

WEBINAR ONLY

Preparing and Evaluating Witnesses for Deposition and Trial (Monday, August 17, 2026)

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES PRESENTS

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"PREPARING AND EVALUATING WITNESSES FOR DEPOSITION AND TRIAL"

ADRIANA COLLADO, Esq. Collado Law, LLC

WEBINAR ONLY

Compassion in the Courtroom (Tuesday, August 25, 2026)

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES PRESENTS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"COMPASSION IN THE COURTROOM"

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE CHARLOTTE SWEENEY MAGISTRATE JUDGE KATHRYN STARNELLA U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

PROFESSOR RICHARD BARINBAUM UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

WEBINAR ONLY

Neurodiversity in the Legal Workplace (Wednesday, September 02, 2026)

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"NEURODIVERSITY IN THE LEGAL WORKPLACE"

RIVER B. SEDAKA, Esq. Deputy State Public Defender, Appellate Office of the State Public Defender WEBINAR ONLY

2025 in Perspective: Analysis of the Business of the Federal District Court (Friday, September 18, 2026)

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES presents FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

"2025 IN PERSPECTIVE: ANALYSIS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT"

MAGISTRATE JUDGE N. REID NEUREITER U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Sneak Attack Federal Civil Practice: Stuff You Don't Think About But Should (Monday, September 28, 2026)

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES PRESENTS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.

"SNEAK ATTACK FEDERAL CIVIL PRACTICE: STUFF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT BUT SHOULD"

BRYAN D. CROSS, Esq. Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP MICHAEL J. LASZLO, Esq. Clark Hill, PLC

WEBINAR ONLY

HOLD THE DATE--FFA Roundtable (Friday, November 06, 2026)

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

MAGISTRATE JUDGE JAMES M. CANDELARIA
and
MAGISTRATE JUDGE RICHARD T. GURLEY
u.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

ADRIANA COLLADO, Esq.
Collado Law, LLC

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE CHARLOTTE SWEENEY
MAGISTRATE JUDGE KATHRYN STARNELLA
U.S. District Court for the
District of Colorado

PROFESSOR RICHARD BARINBAUM
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

RIVER B. SEDAKA, Esq.
Deputy State Public Defender, Appellate
Office of the State Public Defender

WEBINAR ONLY

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
presents

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

MAGISTRATE JUDGE N. REID NEUREITER
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

FACULTY OF FEDERAL ADVOCATES
PRESENTS

BRYAN D. CROSS, Esq.
Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell, LLP

MICHAEL J. LASZLO, Esq.
Clark Hill, PLC