Thursday, September 23, 2021
5pm to 8:30pm — outdoors, under an open-air tent, at the Marriott Hotel, Newton, MA
Please read updated vaccination requirements
Given the CDC’s recommendation that all be vaccinated in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 — particularly to those who are unable to be vaccinated due to youth or health issues — we ask that all who attend this year’s meeting be vaccinated. This is to ensure both the health and comfort of those in attendance and everyone’s family members at home. Therefore, we ask that you either: (1) upload a picture of your vaccination card in the field provided on the registration form; or (2) show a copy of your vaccination card (or a picture of it) at the check-in desk at the time of the event. We recognize this may be inconvenient, but some have expressed concern and we want this to be a safe event for everyone. Please feel free to reach out to Victoria Kelleher or Jennifer Sunderland, our Events Committee Chairperson, with any questions. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you.
Keynote Speaker: Jamie Eldridge
We welcome State Senator Jamie Eldridge (Middlesex & Worcester District) as our keynote speaker. Not only did Jamie play an instrumental role in ensuring a substantial increase in Bar Advocate rates — the first seen for Murder Panel attorneys in decades — but he also personally intervened on behalf of our most vulnerable clients, those facing severe abuse at the hands of prison guards at Souza-Baranowski. As Chair of the Judiciary, he has come out on the right side of the issues time and again, and we look forward to hearing his views on the issues that matter to us most.
Ticket Pricing (includes buffet dinner and program)
$85 MACDL members — CPCS, Bar Advocates, 1st Year Members, Law Students
$105 MACDL members — Private Practice, Associate, Non-recurring Payment
$125 Non-members / Guests
$1,200 — Table of 10 for a Firm or an Organization
Not a member? Join MACDL or renew your membership today to qualify for the reduced rate. First year of membership is free for CPCS staff and bar advocates.
MACDL Award Recipients
Clarence Gideon Award: Susan Church — Demisse & Church
Balliro Award: Miriam Conrad — Federal Defender’s Office
SUSAN CHURCH is a partner at Demissie & Church, and is a relentless and fearless advocate for her clients in criminal and immigration cases. She began her career at the New Hampshire Public Defenders Office, and remains committed to ensuring justice — persisting even in the face of jail time when one judge refused to rightly apply the law. Admiringly called “a pitbull who would not let go” by one immigration judge, Susan has filed numerous writs of habeas corpus and notably stormed into Federal Court for a midnight session to seek a stay of the illegal Muslim Travel Ban. No one fights harder or cares more.
MIRIAM CONRAD is the current Federal Defender for the District of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, a position she’s held since 2005. During her tenure, she has led the federal bar with bold vision and tireless advocacy, ensuring substantial resources for staff, training, and facilities to battle the immense power of the federal government. With a 30 year career in public defense starting at CPCS, she has mentored and advised countless attorneys, and remains the best trial attorney our federal court has ever known. Through her determination, intellect and heart she has left an indelible imprint on the district, and we are all grateful for her service. She retires next spring.
There will be a slideshow honoring our award winners that will play during the cocktail hour. Please send any photographs and advertisements/notices (.jpg files only) for inclusion in the slideshow to Jennifer Sunderland by September 16th. Advertisements can be purchased for $250 on the MACDL website’s donate page. Contact Jennifer with any questions.
At a time when we defense lawyers are more often targeted for merely doing our job, and many have experienced hardship due to the pandemic, we owe it to ourselves and each other to celebrate all that is good. So please join us! We look forward to seeing everyone soon.
Best, Victoria Kelleher
MACDL President
A note on COVID-19 protocols…
The City of Newton has imposed an indoor mask mandate. This mandate applies to the common areas of the hotel (lobby, restrooms, etc.) but does not apply in our event space. That being said, while we hope that all who can be vaccinated have done so, we recognize that some are unable due to medical vulnerabilities or age. Because the latest medical data suggests that asymptomatic vaccinated people can carry the virus, particularly the delta variant, we ask that if you are not vaccinated, or if you have loved ones who are not vaccinated, you take all precautions to protect yourself and those around you.