John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
The inaugural Stanford Trial Advocacy & New Defender Uplift Program (STANDUP) recently provided public defenders from six California counties with an opportunity to enhance their trial skills, share best practices, and connect with peers from across Northern California. The three-day program, held at Stanford Law School (SLS) in mid-August, also focused on helping the approximately 50 participants manage the inherent stresses of their demanding careers. STANDUP is designed to be an annual Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program at SLS.
The SLS Criminal Defense Clinic organized STANDUP to offer public defenders a chance to step away from their heavy caseloads and engage in a clinic-like experience. Clinical Supervising Attorney and Conference Director Carlie Ware Horne, who joined SLS in 2023 after 14 years as a public defender in Santa Clara County, stated, “There are some excellent training opportunities out there for public defenders, but since 2020 there has been a backlog, especially with regard to public defenders who have recently started their careers.” She added, “When I came to Stanford Law School, I saw an opportunity to leverage the resources and brainpower here to create this program for public defenders, who have some of the toughest jobs in public service.”
Horne noted that she and her co-planners sought inspiration from the broader Stanford campus. For instance, STANDUP began with a plenary session led by Associate Professor of Marketing Szu-Chi Huang from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business on the "human factor" in persuasion. “It was gratifying to be able to tap into the insight that comes from the business world—for example, the process of marketing to consumers—and using that for the furtherance of justice,” Horne said.
Participants engaged in small-group workshops and plenary sessions covering various aspects of trial practice: crafting opening statements, cross-examining witnesses, handling jury selection, delivering closing statements, among others. Additionally, Professor Ronald Tyler led sessions on self-care and stress management through guided meditation sessions and breathing exercises. Tyler emphasized the importance of self-care for effective advocacy: “We are able to best represent our clients when we are the best, healthiest versions of ourselves.”
Holst Katsma, JD ’24 and a former participant in the Criminal Defense Clinic at SLS, praised STANDUP: “I got better at everything during STANDUP,” said Katsma. Heather Rogers, JD ’03 and Santa Cruz County’s first public defender who served as a facilitator at STANDUP, highlighted the need for more quality training programs like STANDUP due to underfunding issues faced by public defense.
STANDUP organizers plan for the program's growth over time to include more public defenders from across California.
Through its Criminal Defense Clinic, Stanford Law School immerses students in indigent defense work. Under supervision by Professor Ronald Tyler and Clinical Supervising Attorney Carlie Ware Horne, students represent community members accused of crimes in local courts. The clinic addresses systemic issues such as implicit bias and economic disparities while providing hands-on legal experience.
Stanford Law School is recognized as one of the leading institutions for legal scholarship and education. Its alumni hold influential positions across various sectors including law, politics, business, and technology.
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