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TOGETHER
We Rise from
the Valley
by Francisco Ramos, Jr. & Micalann Pepe
Please join us for the 2026 Winter
Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona,
at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge
from February 24-28, 2026.
Scottsdale is one of our members’
favorite destinations—and for us,
it holds an especially meaningful
place in our hearts, as it’s where
both of our FDCC journeys
began.
Frank’s First Meeting –
Scottsdale 2007
Frank: It was my first meeting
in 2007, when Dan Kohane
was our President, Gale White
was our Convention Chair, and
Tim Pratt (Past President) was
our Program Chair. I fondly
remember wearing the blue tag,
arriving early to the welcome
reception, and having Dan, Deb
Francisco Ramos, Jr. Micalann Pepe
Varner (Past Board member),
Steve Farrar (Past President), and
Lewis Collins (Past President,
who sponsored me) welcome me
like an old friend. I have felt at
home at every meeting since then
and have done my best to pay it
forward to other members.
Micalann’s First Meeting –
Scottsdale 2020
Micalann: Scottsdale was
also where I attended my first
meeting in 2020. Elizabeth
Lorell (President at the time)
and Jeff graciously welcomed
our new “class,” and I met and
elbow bumped as many people
18 Summer 2025 | Federation Flyer as possible (we were apparently
onto something, even then).
Though I live in Arizona, I
experienced the city like a tourist
through the creative events
organized by Craig Marvinney.
Jennifer Johnsen organized
incredible programming, and the
warmth of the FDCC community
left a lasting impression. Little
did we know it would be our
last in-person meeting until we
reconvened at The Greenbrier in
2021.
World-Class Programming &
Unforgettable Speakers
This year’s programming
promises to be exceptional.
FDCC Defense Counsel Member
Craig Thompson will kick things
off as our keynote speaker, and
throughout the meeting, the Trial
Masters Program will deliver
high-impact, TED Talk-style
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