Hope Amongst Ourselves:

BIPOC Public Defender Shared Experience and Shared Resilience

Lei Young

Lei Young supervises the Disproportionality Unit at the Washington State Office of Public Defense, where she works to challenge racial and social injustice in the legal system. Prior to that position, she spent 17 years as an attorney with The Defender Association, which is now a division of the King County Department of Public Defense. As a public defender, she represented clients in a variety of practice areas, including felony, sex offender civil commitment, and dependency cases. Her teaching experience includes serving as an Adjunct Professor at Seattle University School of Law. She received her J.D. from Cornell Law School.

Welcome to an inspiring and impactful presentation!

As public defenders, we are on the front lines of the fight for justice, and we know firsthand that our criminal legal system is plagued with inequities. For many of us, especially when it comes to racial injustice, this isn’t just an abstract concept—it’s a reality we witness every single day.

These persistent challenges can feel isolating, but today, we have the unique opportunity to come together, share our experiences, and strengthen our community. Right now is the time for us to uplift one another and build a united front in public defense.

In this engaging session, get ready to connect, reflect, and strategize as we:

Shine a light on the biases BIPOC public defenders face in the workplace—and talk openly about real experiences;

Brainstorm powerful strategies to build strength, resilience, and solidarity among BIPOC defenders;

Explore how fostering our resilience will amplify our advocacy and create better outcomes for our clients.