Emerging Leaders™ Workshop with JustLeadershipUSA™
Note: This event is for freed/exonerated people only

When: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 8 am to 4 pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Seattle, 808 Howell St, Seattle, WA

The Innocence Network has partnered with JustLeadershipUSA™ (JLUSA) to hold an Emerging Leaders™ Workshop for freed and exonerated people on Thursday, April 3rd. Emerging Leaders was created by JLUSA to support, educate, and empower local coalitions of activists and leaders to advocate for racial justice, end mass incarceration, and to center the voices of those most deeply impacted by discriminatory policies. This training was created for organizers and activists at all skill levels who are committed to racial justice. The Emerging Leaders training for the Innocence Network is a customized one-day training, covering leadership and communication skills. This training combines facilitated instructional sessions from experienced and directly impacted organizers and advocates, group work, strategic planning, and sharing from local leaders. Please review the program outline for more information about goals and objectives, structure, and approach, as well as a brief agenda.

Freed and exonerated people who are interested in participating in the Emerging Leaders Workshop should fill out this form to express interest. There is no cost to attend the training, though an additional hotel night will be required; participants will need to arrive in Seattle no later than the evening of Wednesday, April 2nd, as the workshop will start at 8:00 am on Thursday, April 3rd. Reserving and paying for the additional night at the hotel is the responsibility of the freed/exonerated person OR their sponsoring organization. The training will be held at the Hyatt Regency Seattle, the same venue as the Innocence Network Conference. Space is limited and access to the workshop is first come, first served based on the order that expressions of interest forms are received. Individuals who participated in last year’s Emerging Leaders workshop are welcome to participate again this year; however, priority will be given to new attendees if interest exceeds capacity.

American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) Training
Note: This training is designed for post-conviction innocence litigators

When: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Seattle, 808 Howell St, Seattle, WA

The American College of Trial Lawyers will lead a full-day, interactive trial skills training on Thursday, April 3rd. The goal of this session is to help lawyers learn and sharpen the skills they need to try a case. The topics will include case theme development, opening statements, direct examination of witnesses, cross examination of witnesses, unique issues concerning expert witnesses (as compared with lay witnesses), introduction and use of physical evidence, and closing arguments.

This training is free-of-charge for conference-registered litigators, though an additional hotel night will be required; participants will need to arrive in Seattle no later than the evening of Wednesday, April 2nd, as the workshop will begin at 9 am on Thursday, April 3rd. Reserving and paying for the additional night at the hotel is the responsibility of the attendee OR their organization. Advance registration is required. Those who are interested in attending this training can sign up through the conference registration form. For those who would like to attend and already registered for the conference but did not sign up for this training at that time, please email eventsupport@metroconnections.com.

BIPOC Innocence Network Organization Staff Leadership Retreat
Note: This retreat is only for staff of Innocence Network member organizations who identify as BIPOC

When: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 2 pm to 7 pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Seattle, 808 Howell St, Seattle, WA

Join BIPOC staff of Innocence Network member organizations for a half-day retreat intended to help build connections, foster understanding, encourage healing, and boost empowerment. The Innocence Network Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will send out an RSVP form to Network staff approximately one month in advance of the conference. 

Innocence Network Conference Closing Celebration

When: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm    
Where: Seattle Art Museum (SAM), 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA

The optional conference closing celebration will be held at the Seattle Art Museum, the largest fine art museum in the Pacific Northwest. Entrance to the closing celebration includes access to museum galleries, two drink tickets, and a menu of heavy appetizers. Artwork by freed and exonerated individuals will be on virtual display throughout the celebration. The museum is about a 15-minute walk (.7 miles) from the conference venue. A free shuttle will be available for those who need it, running on a loop.

As in years past, the closing celebration is free for freed/exonerated people and their conference-registered family member, who do not need to purchase a separate ticket. For all other attendees, the cost is $65. You are able to purchase closing celebration tickets for yourself and for a guest at the same time you register for the conference, so please be sure to indicate that you want a ticket and you'll be able to sign up for both in a single transaction.