This practical CLE course provides an overview of the presidential pardon process, from the constitutional foundations of the pardon power through the submission and post-submission stages of a pardon application. The program will examine the distinctions among pardons, commutations, and other forms of executive clemency; the roles of the Office of the Pardon Attorney and White House Counsel; and the practical considerations involved in preparing a compelling application.

Attendees will walk through the pardon application line by line, including the use of letters of support, the role of consultants and other intermediaries, common pitfalls in submitting an application, and what counsel and clients can expect after submission. The program is designed to provide attorneys with a practical framework for evaluating, preparing, and navigating a presidential pardon application.