Training

To become eligible to receive assignments, an attorney must first complete a PDS-sponsored or PDS-approved training in the area(s) of practice for which they want to receive assignments. 

Every rostered attorney must complete 8 hours of Commission-approved CLE courses per year. See Chapter 3 for additional CLE requirements for specialized case types.

Accessing Prior PDS Trainings

Prior PDS trainings are viewable on-demand through our online training library, Talent LMS. Viewing trainings on-demand does count for PDS CLE credit, but not payment or Board of Overseers CLE credit. Please direct any questions about PDS trainings to training.pds@maine.gov.

Please view specific sections of our course catalog for different panels by clicking here. 

How To Access Talent LMS

Assigned Counsel: Login page click here. Employed Counsel: Login page click here.

You should have received an email with your credentials. If you lose this email, you can visit the appropriate login page and click on ‘Forgot Password’ to reset your credentials.

Current PDS Sponsored Trainings

Time spent attending trainings sponsored by PDS may be compensable pursuant to Chapter 301-A. That Chapter establishes attendance and eligibility requirements that govern whether Counsel may seek and receive payment for the time they spend attending PDS sponsored trainings. 

Upcoming Trainings

Trauma, Tirades, and Tears: Working with Challenging Clients

Date: September 23, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Host: PDS
Credits: 1 Ethics
Cost: Free
Location: Zoom
Registration[Register Here]

JurorSearch 101

Date: September 29, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Host: PDS
Credits: 1
Cost: Free
Location: Zoom
Registration[Register Here]

Third Annual Public Defense Conference

Date: October 20-23, 2025
Host: PDS
Credits: 26.25 (1.5 H&D and 1 Ethics)
Cost: Free
Location: University of Southern Maine Lewiston/Auburn Campus  
51 Westminster Street, Lewiston
Registration[Register Here]
[Download the Agenda Here]

Youth Defender Conference

Date: October 24, 2025
Host: PDS
Credits: 6.5 
Cost: Free
Location: University of Southern Maine Lewiston/Auburn Campus  
51 Westminster Street, Lewiston
Registration[Register Here]
[Download the Agenda Here]

PDS Approved Trainings

The credits for the approved trainings listed below are approved for PDS credit (NOT eligible for payment) but may not be approved for credit by the Board of Overseers of the Bar.


Upcoming Trainings

Animals as Victims, Property, and Evidence: Key Insights from Forensic Veterinary Medicine

Date: September 26, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Host: The Animal Law Section of the Maine State Bar Association  
Credits
: 1
Registration: [Register Here]

Juvenile Justice: Past Lessons, Future Directions

Date: September 30, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Host: Council on Criminal Justice  
Credits
: 1
Registration: [Register Here]

24th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference (2025)

Date: October 9-10, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00/4:00 p.m. 
Host: NACDL 
Credits: 7.5
Registration: [Register Here]

Racial Justice Conference 2025

Date: October 27-30, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Host: NAPD
Credits: 9.25
Registration: [Register Here]

We the Defenders (for all but the social work track)

Date: December 15-17, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Host: NAPD
Credits: PENDING
Registration: [Register Here]

Prior Trainings

Please note that the prior approved trainings have been removed from this page. That information can now be found here.