NDAA Summer Conference Management Topics

by Candace M. Mosley, Director of Programs, National College of District Attorneys

This year the National College of District Attorneys will present a management track at the NDAA Summer Conference in Snowmass, Colorado. The goal of these sessions is to provide training and education on a variety of topics essential to the effective and efficient management of a prosecuting attorney’s office.

Some of the topics:

Dynamics of Small/Rural Offices—the logistical, political and jurisdictional nuances inherent in running a government attorney’s office in small/rural jurisdictions, e. g. , lack of human resources; lack of vertical prosecution units and the resultant stress on the reduced number of staff who handle a wide variety of cases; severe financial restraints; overwhelming caseloads; the problem with witness/defendant prospective juror familiarity; and criminal activity flight from nearby urban communities will be discussed.

Large Office Concerns—the special concerns of the large prosecutor’s office: specialized vertical prosecution units, high personnel turnover, victim witness advocates, gang and juvenile problems, and high volume caseloads will be discussed.

Creating Your Personal Development Plan—an in depth analysis of the tools and strategies to identify and articulate your goals and aspirations for your personal development. Examples of both long term and short term career goals will be visited. Attendees should conclude this session with a more defined focus for their personal growth and necessary tools for the journey.

Personnel Recruitment, Orientation, Mentoring, Education and Training—the task of developing a strong, efficient, motivated and top quality team begins at the recruitment process. This presentation will address practical techniques for recruitment, pre-interview analysis, the unique orientation needs for new employees, support staff and attorneys alike, in a prosecutor’s office as well as the mentoring, educational and training needs for both seasoned and new employees. A discussion of the development and implementation of programs designed to meet the needs of these employees in a prosecutor’s office will also be included.

Ethical Issues and Dealing With the Media—this session is specifically grounded in the Model Rules, the National Standards for prosecutors of NDAA and the ABA, and the case law which discusses the role of the prosecutor. The presentation will discuss those ethical problem situations which create the most confusion for the prosecutor or individual charged with the management and development of guidelines for the prosecutor’s office. The presentation will also discuss the problems of the televised trial or the closely covered case by the media in high profile cases.

Litigation of Employment Matters—this lecture will focus on: guidelines necessary for the unfortunate occasion of termination of an employee; effective strategies to prevent a successful suit for wrongful discharge; and developing policy and procedures for the implementation of effective disciplinary action within the office.

Embracing Cultural Diversity Within Your Office to Better Serve Your Community—this is an overview of the importance of understanding and embracing the differences within each individual in your community and creating an office environment which mirrors and respects this diversity.

Policy Manuals: What’s In Or Out?—a discussion among the attendees regarding the generation of and implementation of office policies which reflect the head prosecutor’s goals for the office. The use of an office manual as an effective educational tool to disseminate information regarding established policies; procedures and guidelines aimed at insuring consistent, efficient and successful operation of the prosecutor’s office; the considerations involved in the development and implementation of the manual and its contents; the possible implications, advantages, disadvantages, and use of the manual on the administrator; and the choices between strict rules and realistic guidelines will also be covered.

Community Outreach Programs: Staying in Touch With Your Constituents—a variety of community outreach programs that not only serve to spread awareness throughout the community of the services available through the prosecutor’s office but also that serve as an assessment or self-evaluating tool for the prosecutor to see how his/her office measures up to ensuring the safety and betterment of the community in a productive and meaningful way will be discussed.

Total Quality Management—this lecture will address creating an environment that not only fosters employee input and feedback but also provides an avenue for implementation of this feedback where appropriate as well as a discussion of the role effective communication systems and interpersonal skills play in working with support staff and government attorneys.

Prosecutors on the Defensive—this session highlights the continuing focus across the country in which an increasing number of defense claims of prosecutorial misconduct have been experienced. Meeting defense claims of outrageous governmental conduct; making the record—when do you start and what information is important to document; and allegations of entrapment by governmental agents will be addressed.

Crisis Management—this topic does not just deal with the high profile case but deals with any case which greatly impacts the normal operation of the prosecuting attorney’s office. Examples of crises which may be discussed include: the death of an employee; an employee charged with a criminal offense; management of an extremely complex and labor-intensive investigation and prosecution including the handling/development of subsequent indictments and arrests; and situations in which the public confidence is shaken and the resultant fallout will impact prosecutions within the office (i. e. , police officer or governmental involved criminal activity which may even cause your office to be under investigation). You will also work through a practical plan/course of action for handling the rippling impact these types of situations create on office dynamics.

Budgeting and Grants—this lecture will address an important aspect of the prosecutor’s office, how best to serve the people with the “people’s money.” The lecture will include the preparation of budgets as well as the challenges involved in adhering to them; ideas and pointers on preparing grant proposals; any additional sources of funding available to the prosecutor, effective methods of selling a proposed budget to the funding agency; and managing an accurate accounting of any obtained funds.