Joshua Raisler Cohn – Director, Criminal Defense Training
Kristen Munichiello – Administrative Assistant
Emily Cardy – Legal Training Attorney
Skailer Qvistgaard – Legal Training Attorney
Jennifer Buyske – Legal Training Attorney
Jessica Kirane – Rotating Legal Training Attorney
Nathan Wong – Rotating Legal Training Attorney
Olivia Mercadante Alexandru – Rotating Legal Training Attorney
Criminal Defense Training is responsible for the design, development, oversight and delivery of training programs and materials as well as other resources for CPCS Public Defender Division staff and bar advocates who accept appointments through the Private Counsel Division to ensure that the indigent accused receive excellent and constitutionally adequate representation that is client-centered and zealous.
As part of the Training Department, the Criminal Defense Trainers collaborate with trainers from other practice areas in the Training Department including CAFL, YAD, and Mental Health. We also collaborate with the Immigration Impact Unit, Alternative Commitment & Registration Unit and the CPCS Innocence Program to implement statewide criminal defense training programs that promote professional development through continued legal education.
The Criminal Defense Trainers are committed to developing curricula and delivering training that promotes and maintains high quality legal services for all CPCS clients.