The Capital Appellate Branch represents persons sentenced to death on their initial appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court. The Law Operations Division, led by Dave Norat, provides administrative support for the Kentucky Public Advocacy statewide system in order to fulfill the statutory mandate of KRS Chapter 31 of high quality representation of clients. The Division works to help defender staff operate efficiently and effectively. Education and Development Ed Monahan Jeff Sherr DPA provides a wealth of education, with a special emphasis on education of its attorneys. Newly hired attorneys are offered practical education over their first 9 months in district court and DUI practice, juvenile litigation, circuit court representation, working with mental health experts and presenting persuasive mental health defenses, and understanding ethical obligations and ethical boundaries.
New attorneys learn how to effectively practice law and successfully represent clients.
New and experienced attorneys are provided a week long intensive litigation practice institute that focuses on the art of making critical judgments, developing compelling theories of the case, and persuasively communicating to the decision-makers the client's story. The Institute is recognized nationally for developing criminal litigation specialists. Each year, DPA conducts a two-day Annual Conference focusing on the areas defenders need to stay current on, including litigation skills, capital law and practice, and defending persons charged with sex offenses. It is the largest yearly gathering of criminal defense advocates with the largest offering of criminal defense topics in Kentucky. The focus is on developing national level litigation skills and strategies.