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 to justice, mentorship, and systemic reform.

Patrice most recently served as Director of Training for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD), where she led statewide training for over 1,500 employees, developed CLE standards, and launched the country’s first in-state Gideon’s Promise-certified new hire program. She also designed the Justice 4 All Annual Conference and helped create MOPD’s cutting-edge training facility.

An accomplished academic, Patrice became the first Black woman to earn tenure at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Her scholarship explores mass incarceration, prison privatization, and systemic inequality. She has lectured widely on topics including the ADA, civil rights, client-centered advocacy, and workplace psychological safety.

Patrice’s litigation background includes roles with the Georgia Capital Defender, Fulton County Public Defender, and Southern Center for Human Rights, representing clients in capital and serious felony cases. She has trained defenders nationwide through Gideon’s Promise, the National Criminal Defense College, Harvard Law School, NLADA, and many other organizations.

She holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law and a B.A. from Howard University, and is licensed in Georgia and Maryland. Patrice will join our team on September 8, 2025. Her arrival marks a bold new chapter for NAPD’s Training Division, blending tradition with innovation to empower defenders at every level.

Revision 8/11/25: Article has been updated to reflect Patrice’s correct start date to September 8, 2025