Webinar: Collaborative, Holistic Services: Where to Begin?

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November 30, 2023 at 2:00 pm Eastern | 1:00 pm Central | 12:00 pm Mountain | 11:00 am Pacific (90 minutes)

The proliferation of collaborative, holistic styled defense is revolutionizing public defenders across the country. Yet, challenges remain in knowing how to identify resources, embed practices and develop strategies for effective implementation of these expanded services. Our guests will share their approach from inception to implementing collaborative services in diverse offices, utilizing existing and cultivated resources to bring clients greater services.

Presenters

Vichal Kumar is the Director of Capacity-Building at Partners for Justice. Vichal uses his expertise in creating and implementing collaborative and holistic defense programs to offer technical expertise to public defender offices throughout the country. Prior to PFJ Vichal served as the Managing Director of the Civil Defense Practice at Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem, where he created the practice responsible for the representation of clients in essential civil matters including: immigration; housing; employment; civil asset forfeiture; and social services connections. While attending the law school, Vichal worked as a Civil Legal Advocate at The Bronx Defenders. Upon graduation, Vichal became a Staff Attorney and subsequently a Supervising Attorney at The Bronx Defenders. He is also a former President of the South Asian Bar Association of North America and the South Asian Bar Association of New York.

Annie Legomsky is the Holistic Defense Services Leader at Missouri State Public Defender.  Annie is lawyer and social worker who has combined her expertise in both fields to create a more holistic approach to public defense in Missouri. Annie is a St. Louis native who has been a part of MSPD since 2016. Annie joined MSPD as a trial attorney in St. Louis City in 2016 and served in that role for 3 years before transitioning into a role focused on representing the office’s clients in treatment court programs. Now, as the Holistic Defense Services Leader for MSPD, Annie has been paving the way to implement a collaborative and community-based approach to representation and leads a team of over 20 staff statewide. Before joining MSPD, Annie served as a law clerk for the Hon. Rodney W. Sippel in the Eastern District of Missouri. Annie graduated from Washington University’s School of Law and the Brown School of Social Work in 2014 with her JD/MSW. Annie is also a proud wife and mom of two adorable toddlers.