NAPD’s Education Committee is made up of public defender and assigned counsel trainers, leaders, and staff.  It provides valuable “in the trenches” information to NAPD Training Director Jeff Sherr about the needs of NAPD’s members. Committee members promote effective education though the creation of in-person programs, webinars, blogs, podcasts, and written materials that are accessible to litigators, leaders, investigators, social workers, and mitigation specialists across the nation. The committee recruits NAPD members and experts to create on-line educational content. NAPD also co-sponsors programs offered by other organizations interested in indigent defense work. Lorinda Meier Youngcourt, Federal Defender (Spokane, WA), is Chair.

The Racial Justice+ Committee, in collaboration with NAPD’s DEIJ Coordinator, supports the NAPD community as it strives towards realizing equal justice under and beyond the law. It recognizes that the 6th Amendment cannot fulfill its promise, particularly to the most vulnerable in our nation, without fully embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. It further acknowledges that we must challenge racial bias and injustice at every stage of the criminal legal system to ensure that liberty and justice can truly be for all. The committee collectively seeks to achieve these goals by tackling issues related to (1) racial disparity and discrimination in the criminal legal systems (through the Racial Justice subcommittee) and (2) performative and ineffective diversity, equity, and inclusion programming and leadership in the public defense community (through the DEIJ subcommittee).

Committee members can also join one of its three working groups:

• Anti-racism
• DEIJ
• Racial Justice Conference

The Workloads Committee’s mission is to ensure, to the extent practicable, that every defender organization in the nation can reliably demonstrate the appropriate level of resources it needs to ensure that each one of its lawyers can provide reasonably effective assistance of counsel to each of their clients under prevailing professional norms. The Workloads Committee is currently co-chaired by Bob Boruchowitz (Seattle University Law School, public defender prior) and Kawan Clinton (Legal Aid Society, NY). NAPD organizes Workloads Conferences and online training sessions specifically designed to support the efforts of public defense leaders to end excessive workloads through various strategies.

The PDAC functions as the central coordinating body for NAPD’s policy advocacy and strategic leadership initiatives and oversees the work of the four subcommittees listed below. By integrating their unique contributions, PDAC amplifies the collective impact of NAPD’s efforts to advance legal advocacy and promote justice through informed policy advocacy and strategic leadership.

Members of PDAC can also join four subcommittees:

Committee members can also join two subcommittees:

• Amicus
• Ethics
• System Builders
• Strike Force

The Amicus subcommittee is integral in advancing the rights of public defenders and their clients by preparing and filing amicus briefs in significant litigation. The subcommittee’s responsibilities include:

• Identifying cases where an amicus brief could make a substantial impact
• Authoring and reviewing briefs that align with NAPD’s values and goals
• Soliciting support from law firms and volunteer authors to supplement efforts
• Collaborating with NAPD staff and members. The subcommittee establishes protocols for engaging in amicus work, reflecting a balance between thoroughness and organizational readiness

The Systems Builders subcommittee focuses on fortifying public defense systems. It offers mentorship and writes policy statements that reflect best practices. Key tasks include:

• Providing training and on-site technical assistance to public defenders
• Fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the public defense community
• Recruiting and branding talent to support and sustain NAPD’s mission
• Engaging with veteran and new leaders in the field to share expertise and insights

The Ethics subcommittee writes formal ethics opinions and advises members on matters of professional conduct within the realm of public defense.

The Strike Force provides critical consultation services to public defense leaders in times of crisis. This proactive group stands ready to offer support and strategic advice to mitigate challenges swiftly and effectively.