UP-DATE - Public Defender Las Vegas Retreat

12th Annual Public Defender
LAS VEGAS RETREAT
April 27-29, 2012

What Do We Do?... Protect Constitutional Rights,
One Person at a Time... That’s All!

A yearly gathering of public and private criminal defense attorneys, investigators,
legal staff, law students, spouses, or anyone with a Public Defender Attitude.

Recap letter for last years 2011 Retreat

Thanks for another Great Year!!

Last year, the 11th Annual Public Defender Las Vegas Retreat wrapped up and was another tremendous event! Attendance was approximately 240, (from 30 plus states and many Canadians), and our Retreat Hotel, The Tuscany, was great. We had a great lineup of speakers, and a truly “refreshing” weekend. Highlights were:

Winner of the iPod Nano (Courtesy of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Bureau) for the “early bird” registration giveaway: Cindi Wood from Casper, Wyoming.

We also had a great group of sponsors and exhibitors. Many had drawings for items that included several bottles of “top shelf” alcohol, an autographed copy of Guide to Forensics and Investigations, a $200 charitable contribution to the charity of the winner’s choice, by our Diamond sponsor New Dawn Technologies, and even an iPad, (YES! iPad) was given away by our other Diamond sponsor, John MacDonald Insurance Service, Inc. Thanks to them all!!

Thursday Evening: Early Retreat Get Together
We had 15 to 20 people meet at the Fontana Lounge outdoor patio, and enjoyed the Bellagio Fountains, great “Strip” view, and very enjoyable camaraderie.

Friday Afternoon / Evening: Welcome Party / Reception
Always a way to meet like minded people from all across the country.

Friday Evening:
A large group of attendees went to the Improv Comedy Show for a very fun time. (This has become a yearly tradition, but something new next year?????)

Saturday: Day 1 of the Retreat Program
Terrific speakers. (We added more juice/drinks, and pastries this year, but a real need to add even more next year, more to be added next year!!)

Saturday Afternoon: World Defender Poker Championship
We had approximately 40 entries. The final standings for the people who made the money is as follows:

1st         James Brown, London, Ontario, Canada
2nd        Marko Zubcic, Los Angeles, California
3rd         Barrett Rittenhouse, Madera, California
4th         David Boyd, Los Angeles, California
5th         Pete Coleman, Santa Ana, California
6th         Peter Behr, London, Ontario, Canada
7th         Patrick Duffy, Eagleville, Pennsylvania

Saturday Night: VooDoo Lounge / Nightclub
We had a large group of attendees make it to our reserved section at the top of the Rio Hotel Casino. We danced and partied the night away to the wee hours of the morning. We had public defenders, paralegals, private defense attorneys, and investigators from all over the continent. This was an incredible social gathering / bonding that is hard to believe.   Kind of like a small tight-knit office party gone international.

Sunday: Final Day of the Retreat Program
More great speakers.

Sunday night: Post Retreat Get Together
For the “stay over 'till monday” group, we had our yearly final drink and send off at the Red Square Bar in Mandalay Bay, ice bar and Russian ambiance included.

NEXT YEAR’S RETREAT, EARLY DETAILS

12th Annual Public Defender Las Vegas Retreat

Plans are in the works for the 12th Annual Retreat. Details will follow, but the date will be April 27-29, 2012, and again at Tuscany Suites. I am trying to get even lower rates at the Hotel for 2012. More details will be announced soon, keep checking this official Retreat website.

There will be a few changes. Even more food and drinks on Saturday and Sunday mornings, new Friday night show, new nightclub for Saturday night, and more.

Thanks again to all who attended, and regrets for those of you who missed it.

I look forward to seeing all of you in Las Vegas in the Spring of 2012.

Sincerely,

Dave Rendahl, Deputy Public Defender
Tulare County Public Defender's Office
Courthouse, Room G-35
County Civic Center
Visalia, CA 93291
Phone: 559-636-4500, FAX: 559-733-6113
drendahl@co.tulare.ca.us or
Dave@PublicDefenderRetreat.com

* The Tulare County Public Defender certifies that this activity has been approved for
MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 11 hours (with 2 of the hours in ethics).
Tulare County Public Defender is a State Bar of California MCLE approved provider.
We routinely get CLE pre-approval in a number of states, and I will assist any attendee with
CLE credit in their jurisdictions. Contact Dave Rendahl at 1-559-636-4500 or Email for
MCLE / CLE info on your state or jurisdiction (no state has ever denied credit for prior Retreats).

* For Canadian attendees, the Law Society of Upper Canada has accredited the 12th Annual
Public Defender Las Vegas Retreat, held April 27-29, 2012, as follows:
This program has been accredited by the Law Society for 2 Professionalism Hours.
It is also eligible for up to 9.5 Substantive Hours for experienced members.