Dear FCLC Members and Supporters,

The Federal Criminal Law Committee for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce its next meeting and CLE program on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, beginning at 12:00 pm. In this important program, distinguished representatives of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and of Philadelphia’s defense bar will outline and discuss the Commission’s priorities and proposed changes to the Sentencing Guidelines, some of which promise to introduce significant changes to the sentencing process.

The program will be moderated by FCLC member Leigh Skipper, Duane Morris partner, At-Large Representative to the USSC, and former Chief Federal Defender for the Eastern District. The panel will include:

• Hon. L. Felipe Restrepo, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; Vice Chair, U.S. Sentencing Commission;
• James Strawley, Deputy Staff Director, U.S. Sentencing Commission;
• Susan Lin, Third Circuit Representative, U.S. Sentencing Commission; Partner, Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing, Feinberg & Lin LLP;
• Leigh Skipper (Moderator)

Topics may include proposed changes that the Commission has described as a “reconceptualization of the three-step [sentencing] process,” removing the second step and deleting most of the provisions in Chapter Five, Parks H and K; and proposed changes to the Career Offender guideline aimed at eliminating the categorical approach to the “crime of violence” and ”controlled substance offense” enhancements.

Anyone whose practice involves sentencing in Federal Courts, or who is interested in understanding the Federal sentencing process, should consider attending.

For those who want to attend in person, Duane Morris is sponsoring this event at their offices located at 30 S. 17th St., Philadelphia PA, 19103. The lunch will begin at noon. The CLE portion of the event will begin at 12:30 pm. One hour of CLE credit will be provided at no additional cost.

For those who want to attend virtually, a login link will be sent to registered participants before the event, to the email address used to register.

Admission is $15 for FCLC members and $25 for non-members.

To register, purchase a ticket below (Note: you must be logged in to the website as a member first in order for the discounted member rate to show up, otherwise you’ll be paying for the event at the higher, non-member rate.)

To pay your annual membership dues click here

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, April 22!

If you have any questions about registering, please contact the Chair at arein@postschell.com