Welcoming Our New Systems Builders Co-Chairs

Introducing Our New Systems Builders Committee Co-Chairs The NAPD board recently appointed Theresa Edwards and Jonathan Sacks to serve as C0-Chairs of the Systems Builders Committee – a group committed to fortifying public defense systems through mentorship, best practices policy […]

Anthony Benedetti: NAPD’s Newest President

Anthony Benedetti has been part of NAPD since its earliest days. In 2013, when the organization began as the National Association for Public Defense with only 30 members, no funding, no staff, and no structure – just a passionate group […]

Bail Reform Works. Rolling It Back Would Be a Disaster.

By: Scott Levy and Alice Fontier In late August, President Trump issued an executive order purporting to “take steps to end cashless bail to protect Americans.” The order presents a skewed and misleading view of pretrial justice, one that shows […]

Unmarked Graves, Unfinished Justice

By Terri Collins-GreenDirector of Social Work, Maryland Office of Public DefenderBoard Member, National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) In Maryland, the bodies of more than one hundred unidentified Black children were found in unmarked graves. These children—detained nearly 150 years ago at […]

NAPD & PDAP’s Unpacking Microaggressions Training Packs a Big Punch

An Event Review Brittany Gail Thomas (BGT), Esq., DEIJ Coordinator  “What is a microaggression?” “How do I avoid committing/causing microaggressions?” “What can leaders of public defense offices to do promote inclusion and reduce microaggressions?” “I mean no disrespect but [. […]

Advocacy Beyond the Verdict- Inside NAPD’s Team Mitigation Institute in NYC

In the challenging world of public defense, there’s a growing emphasis on holistic, team-based mitigation. The idea is simple yet powerful: to move beyond the narrow focus on a client’s guilt or innocence and tell the full, nuanced story of […]

Spotlight on Wellness & Sustainability

Wellness in public defense is a professional requirement, not a luxury. Public defense work has evolved and, in the modern era, demands extraordinary individual commitment to providing holistic defense. However, sustainability requires shifting from individual responsibility to shared organizational responsibility. […]

NAPD Welcomes New Training Director, Patrice Fulcher!

The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) is proud to announce Patrice A. Fulcher as its new Training Director. A seasoned litigator, law professor, and nationally respected trainer, Patrice brings more than 30 years of experience and a deep commitment […]

We Stand United: NAPD Statement on ICE Raids and Militarization in Los Angeles

We Stand United: NAPD Statement on ICE Raids and Militarization in Los Angeles The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) is deeply disturbed by the recent ICE raids and subsequent military presence in Los Angeles. The mass arrests have caused […]

The Leadership Institute’s Winning Formula Continues to Shape Public Defense Leaders

The National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) Leadership Institute’s essential training for public defense leaders across the country took place this past April in Indianapolis. Its success, highlighted by the sold-out 2025 program, comes from its practical approach to real-world […]