Operation Protect and Defend (OPD) is hosting its Annual Virtual MCLE Luncheon on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. This event features a presentation by Professor Laurie L. Levenson, a nationally recognized expert in criminal law, criminal procedure, and legal ethics, who currently holds the David W. Burcham Chair in Ethical Advocacy at LMU Loyola Law School.
The luncheon will focus on "Due Process & Criminal Trials," providing attendees with an in-depth exploration of the constitutional rights and procedures that underpin the criminal justice system. Professor Levenson will share her extensive knowledge and experience, offering valuable insights into the complexities of due process and its application in criminal trials.
Following the MCLE presentation, there will be an optional dialogue training session designed to equip participants with the skills necessary to engage in meaningful discussions about constitutional issues. This training is particularly beneficial for those interested in participating in OPD's classroom dialogue program, where judges and lawyers visit high school classrooms to discuss constitutional topics with students.
This event is ideal for legal professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of due process in criminal trials and fulfill their MCLE requirements. Additionally, individuals interested in civics education and community engagement will find the dialogue training session valuable for preparing to facilitate discussions on constitutional matters in educational settings.
Categories
Speakers(1)
Professor Laurie L. Levenson
David W. Burcham Chair in Ethical Advocacy at LMU Loyola Law School
Professor Laurie L. Levenson is a nationally recognized expert in criminal law, criminal procedure, and legal ethics. She earned her A.B. from Stanford University and her J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where she served as Chief Articles Editor of the UCLA Law Review. After clerking for Judge James Hunter III on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, she spent nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, ultimately serving as Assistant Chief of the Criminal Division. Since joining the Loyola Law School faculty in 1989, she has taught courses including Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, White Collar Crime, Ethical Lawyering, and Advanced Trial Advocacy. She is also the Founding Director of the Loyola Project for the Innocent and the Loyola Center for Ethical Advocacy, reflecting her deep commitment to wrongful conviction work and ethical trial practice.
Event Details
- Date
- February 20, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Pricing
- Free with optional donation
- Audience
- Legal professionals, educators, and individuals interested in civics education and constitutional law.
- CLE Credits
- 1-hour of General Credit