Print Page

Presenter Policies

CLE Presenter Policies

For more than 35 years, PACDL has been a consistent leader in setting the standard for excellence in helping criminal defense practitioners by providing the best continuing legal education programs in the Mid-Atlantic region and offering opportunities for professional networking.  Throughout the year, our events reach hundreds of criminal defense lawyers across all practice areas including DUI/DWI, search and seizure, white collar crime, and capital cases. PACDL is dedicated to presenting substantive, core-powered education. 

Speaker Standards

Presenting at a PACDL event is a unique opportunity to share your ideas and insights with a diverse and engaged audience. To make the most of this opportunity, speakers should adhere to certain rules and guidelines that have become synonymous with TED talks. Here are some TED-like rules for presenters and speakers:

  • Clarity of Idea: Ensure that your idea or message is clear, concise, and well-defined. Focus on a single, compelling idea worth spreading.
  • Storytelling: Use storytelling techniques to engage the audience emotionally and make your message relatable. Stories help the audience connect with your content on a deeper level.
  • Limited Duration: Keep your presentation within a specific time limit, typically 60 or 90 minutes. Sessions are short and impactful, so every word should count.
  • Engaging Opening: Start with a compelling hook or question to grab the audience's attention from the beginning. A strong opening sets the tone for the rest of your talk.
  • Clear Structure: Organize your presentation with a clear structure. Use signposts or transitions to guide the audience through your talk, making it easy for them to follow your narrative.
  • Visuals: If using slides or visuals, make sure they enhance your message rather than distracting from it. Use high-quality visuals sparingly.
  • Rehearsal: Practice your talk multiple times to ensure smooth delivery. Rehearsing helps you become more comfortable with your material and reduces the chance of stumbling during the presentation.
  • Authenticity: Be yourself. Speak with passion and conviction about your topic.
  • Avoid Jargon: Keep your language accessible. Avoid excessive technical jargon or terminology that might alienate the audience.
  • Memorable Takeaway: Leave the audience with a clear, memorable takeaway message or call to action. What do you want them to remember and do after your talk?
  • Non-Verbal Communication: Pay attention to your body language, eye contact, and vocal tone. Your non-verbal cues should align with your message and convey confidence.
  • Practice Audience Engagement: Engage with the audience. The presenter should include moments interacting with the crowd, whether through questions, humor, or thought-provoking prompts.
  • Relevance: Ensure that your talk is relevant to the learning objectives of the session.
  • Passion and Conviction: Share your passion for your topic. Convey why you care deeply about it, as enthusiasm is contagious.
  • Respect Time Constraints: Respect the event's time constraints and the schedule. Going under or over your allotted time is  discouraged.
  • Feedback and Revisions: Be open to feedback from event organizers and peers. Use constructive criticism to refine your presentation.
  • Visual Appearance: Dress appropriately for the event, considering the audience and the setting. Your appearance should complement your message.
Remember that our CLEs are about learning and sharing ideas worth spreading, and adhering to these rules can help you create a memorable and impactful presentation that resonates with the audience.Regenerate

Speaker Expense Reimbursement:  ​PACDL has created a presenter reimbursement policy and agreement that reflect the values of the Association to foster inquiry and knowledge, reflect collaboration and collegiality, and fairly treat all presenters. The policy seeks to optimize members' expertise and offer leadership opportunities to criminal defense lawyers to enjoy the prestige and recognition associated with leading course sessions and contributing to knowledge sharing with fellow practitioners.  It also is intended to ensure that the Association delivers unique high educational value content that meets the business needs of the profession. See our policy.

Session Materials: Presenters are required to provide high quality, thoughtful, resourceful and accurate written materials of at least 20 pages in length along with a PowerPoint presentation (at least 25 slides for each 60 minutes of education time) that supplements their oral remarks. Copies of court cases, government manuals and other copyrighted documents should be listed in a resource list rather than incorporated into a speaker's materials. PACDL has adopted standards for written materials and they are made available to presenters interested in presenting specific educational content at an upcoming CLE event.  See the materials policy.

Speaker Agreement: A speaker agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of a speaking engagement or presentation at an event or conference. It serves as a formal contract between PACDL and the speaker. The speaker agreement includes important details such as:
  1. Event Details: The name, date, location, and description of the event where the speaker will be presenting.
  2. Speaker's Responsibilities: A clear description of what the speaker is expected to deliver during the presentation, including the topic, duration, and any specific requirements.
  3. Compensation: Details regarding the speaker's compensation, which may include travel expenses, accommodation, or other forms of payment or reimbursement.
  4. Travel and Accommodation: If applicable, information about travel arrangements, accommodation, and any related expenses that will be covered by the event organizer.
  5. Audiovisual Requirements: Any specific audiovisual equipment, technical setup, or materials needed for the presentation, and whether the event organizer will provide them.
  6. Intellectual Property: Clauses regarding the ownership of the content presented, including whether the event organizer has the right to record or distribute the presentation.
  7. Cancellation and Rescheduling: Procedures and consequences in case either party needs to cancel or reschedule the engagement.
  8. Confidentiality: Any confidentiality obligations, especially if the presentation contains sensitive or proprietary information.
  9. Signatures: Signatures of both parties to indicate their acceptance and agreement to the terms outlined in the document.
Speaker agreements are essential for ensuring that both the event organizer and the speaker have a clear understanding of their respective obligations and expectations. They help prevent misunderstandings and disputes and provide a legal framework for the speaking engagement. It's crucial for the speaker to agree to the terms of the speaker agreement before the presentation takes place. Please see PACDL's speaker agreement.

Please connect with our office at pacdl@pacdl.org to discuss opportunities and our policies.