A Message from the Dean

Dean’s Message 2024 by Mimi Coffey

September, 2024 -- It is an honor and privilege to be the Dean of the National College of DUI Defense. I remember my first two summer sessions back in the late 90s and early 2000s when the College was in its infancy. I could not even afford to stay at the Charles Hotel! I would take the subway across town to get back to lodgings I could afford. I was so excited to learn from the Masters of DUI/DWI. I remember meeting Lenny Stamm before he was on the Board! I was beyond thrilled to make new friends who shared the same love of DUI/DWI defense work as me. I have cherished these precious friendships over these many years. In 29 years, we have seen some extraordinary lawyers who became leaders in their communities in DUI/DWI defense pass on. They left indelible impressions and legacies on us all from DUI Mike Fox, DWI Dog Phil Stauffer, Sonya Porter to most recently Tom Hudson. There have been so many heroes who have rubbed shoulders with us, raised a glass, taught us much and most importantly- been our friend. It is with much gratitude to so many, that I humbly serve as your Dean in order to give back. I was first asked to join the Board of Regents July of 2012. I will never forget the phone call from George Stein. I was riding the subway to the Charles Hotel from the airport so excited for the summer session. Tony was accompanying me to his first NCDD event (he has an architecture degree, not a law degree). Little did we know how remarkably changed our lives would be. For the next twelve years, I dedicated myself to learning the ways of the Board and how to serve. I can’t believe this summer will be the NCDD’s 30th year. In the twelve years I have served on the Board, I have learned from some very able leaders, most notably Steve Oberman and Jim Nesci for which I am forever grateful.

The NCDD does so much for so many. It has provided genius briefs and arguments in United States Supreme Court cases which found for the rights of the citizen accused. From the past video projects of Fellow Bill Kirk to the NCDD Task Force Committees idea by Assistant Dean Bruce Edge and implemented by Don Ramsell, the College has endeavored on many notable tasks to help not just our fellow colleagues in the defense of the DUI/DWI case, but the citizens accused. What started out to be a very difficult, if not impossible field of law as seen by many prosecutors, has turned into one in which the best and most dedicated criminal defense lawyers specialize and succeed. We, the NCDD, are committed to providing the best resources and training necessary in this field. We, the NCDD hold the only legitimate DUI/DWI board certification as recognized by the American Bar Association.

This calendar year, the NCDD will produce 8 webinars from our NCDD task forces. Our big seminars include Vegas (which we co-produce with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers), Winter Session (in Ft. Worth this year on negotiation skills), Mastering Scientific Evidence (which we co-produce with the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers) and our signature Summer Session which has traditionally been held at Harvard Law School. Our current micro-boutique seminars include the extremely popular Serious Science courses (on gas chromatography), SFST courses, and this year we are offering a Breath Testing Course in November. Of course, the NCDD also approves many state seminars on DUI/DWI. Our twelve NCDD Task Forces are: Alcohol & Drug Testing Devices Committee, Amicus/Research Committee, Autonomous Cars and Transportation Technology Committee, Collateral Consequences- FAA, CDL, Licensure, Immigration & Military Committee, Diversity Committee, Ethics Committee, Forensic Science Committee, Impaired Driving Committee, Mental Health, Addiction & Well-Being Committee, Public Defender Committee, Trial Advocacy Committee, and the State Delegate Mentorship Committee. These task forces also contribute blogs to help our members are available in strike force fashion to tackle any issue which may be plaguing our members.

The NCDD’s virtual library was the brainchild of Fellow Barry Simons. It has incredible amounts of articles, transcripts and material to help our practitioners all with easy access. Our listserv has over 1200 members and supports much healthy dialogue upon legal subjects and serves as a quick resource for our members. The College ventures out on several DUI/DWI free trainings every year at no cost to public defenders’ offices across the country. One of our main missions is to make training and resources available to those who choose to go into public service defending those who cannot afford to hire lawyers to defend them.

It's been a joy to be a part of the NCDD all these years. It’s been a serious sacrifice in commitment to be a Regent these past 12 years. Being a co-course director of MSE has meant planning for a minimum of 4 NCDD seminars a year most of these past 12 years. Nothing good ever comes easy and it is hard to say Goodbye when you really love someone or something. A huge part of my heart belongs to the NCDD, its missions, its members, and my colleagues. I am so proud to stand tall in an organization that welcomes all, encourages and fosters fairness, does not tolerate any form of harassment or bigotry and plans for the future- the NCDD Foundation. I look forward to a wonderful year this 2024-2025 in serving you and thank you for being a part!