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.