The Power of Story: Crafting Compelling Stories for Public Defense

Dates: October 27 – November 21, 2025

Registration Deadline October 15

Weekly 90-minute small groups – Mondays at 2 pm eastern/11 am pacific

Price: $325 NAPD Members / $425 Public

You will continue to have access to the entire course after the completion of the small group sessions.

Whether you’re representing clients in court or advocating for their well-being, this online course from the National Association for Public Defense will help you leverage the power of storytelling to create empathy and compel action. Designed specifically for public defense professionals, this course provides practical tools, proven frameworks, and real-time support to elevate your advocacy and ensure your client’s story is heard and understood.

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What to Expect

On-Demand Learning

Each week, you’ll gain access up and additional hour of video content through our learning platform. Watch at your own pace as you explore key storytelling topics that prepare you for deeper engagement during the live workshops.

Facilitated Small Group Workshops

Join a 90-minute zoom-based workshop each week (4 total), led by Michael Ahn. Through peer collaboration, real-world scenarios, and guided discussion, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to your cases and learn from others. These are offered Mondays at 2 pm eastern / 11 am pacific.  You will be asked to check all that you could be available for in the registration process.

This course is also offered as in an on demand model without the workshops – click here to register 

Topics Covered

• Understand how story creates juror bias in trials
• Learn the basic mechanism of storytelling used successfully at jury trials
• Explore how to apply storytelling technique to your case
• Use storytelling techniques to create empathy and action

Who Should Attend

This course is for criminal justice workers representing clients from marginalized populations, attorneys needing to argue a case before a jury or in mediation, and social workers / mitigation specialists advocating for a client’s sentencing or creating mitigation memos. You’ll leave with tools you can use right away, plus new insights to strengthen your impact and better support your clients.

Small Group Facilitator Bio

Michael Ahn is a trial narrative consultant who helps attorneys use story techniques in mediation and jury trials. Since 2016, Michael has consulted on hundreds of cases, with an 80% success rate, including acquittals on five trials where the client was facing a life sentence. Michael also creates damages narratives for personal injury cases and consults with social justice organizations on using story techniques in messaging on key issues.

Testimonials

“Michael’s trial consultation significantly contributed to a complete acquittal in a recent homicide trial. He discovers the truth of a case which allows attorneys to incorporate that truth into compelling narratives and archetypes during jury selection, opening, witness examination and closing. Michael receives my highest recommendation and I encourage any attorney trying a case to consult with him.” — Wil Rumble, Deputy Public Defender, Vista, CA

“Michael worked on a horrific sex case and was able to assist the defense in finding a way to present the client compassionately. Michael will help you to re-focus your case. He is the perfect “second chair” who understands the work but sees it as a non-lawyer. His input is priceless.” — Sloan Ostbye, Supervising Attorney, San Diego, CA

“Michael Ahn helped me distill my story into a powerful and persuasive narrative which enabled me to present a focused, theory-centered presentation to the jury. Using Michael’s unique skills and techniques, my case evolved into a story with clarity, emotion, and impact – everything necessary for a successful trial.” — Adam Hepburn, Deputy Public Defender

“Michael Ahn knows how to craft your client’s story so that it is presented in a compelling way to the jury. A great consultant prior to trial!” — Elliott H. Jung, Deputy Public Defender

“Michael’s storytelling techniques helped me focus the jury’s attention on what was important. Michael was especially useful for framing what originally seemed like weaknesses as some of our biggest narrative strengths.” — Matthew Cuthbertson, Deputy Public Defender

“Michael’s storytelling techniques helped me persuade the jury and ultimately won my case – my client was acquitted of all charges.” — Olesya Adams, Deputy Public Defender