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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260331T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260424T153000
DTSTAMP:20260403T152832
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SUMMARY:Story-Driven Advocacy: Crafting Case Narratives and Mitigation for Trial
DESCRIPTION:Description\nIn Story-Driven Advocacy: Crafting Case Narratives and Mitigation for Trial workshop\, all public defenders will learn to apply storytelling techniques to their own cases to create empathy and compel action for their clients’ behalf. This bring-your-own-case course is a weekly\, interactive workshop for attorneys\, mitigation specialists\, investigators\, and training supervisors. Whether you’re representing clients in court or advocating for their well-being\, this online workshop series 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 four-week course provides practical tools\, proven frameworks\, and real-time support to elevate your advocacy and ensure your client’s story is heard and understood. \nDates: \nBegins March 30 week for 4 weeks. Each live workshop session is capped at 4 registrants (choose one date that works for your schedule).\nLive 90-minute workshop sessions are offered on:\n\nWednesday 4/1\, 4/8\, 4/15\, 4/22 2:00-3:30 pm EST\nTuesday 3/31\, 4/7\, 4/14\, 4/21 2:00-3:30 pm EST\nFriday 4/3\, 4/10\, 4/17\, 4/24 2:00-3:30 pm EST\n\nNOTE: ONLY WEDNESDAY GROUP SPACES REMAINING \nPrice:\n$325 NAPD Members / $425 Public \nRegistration closes on 3/23/26 at 5PM EST \n\nWhat to Expect\nOn-Demand Learning\nEach 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. \nFacilitated Small Group Workshops\nJoin 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. We will poll registrants to set the workshop times each week —choose the one that fits your schedule. \nA similar course is also offered as in an on demand model without the workshops – click here to register  \n\nTopics Covered\n\nUnderstand how story creates juror bias in trials\nLearn the basic mechanism of storytelling used successfully at jury trials\nExplore how to apply storytelling technique to your case\nUse storytelling techniques to create empathy and action\n\n\nWho Should Attend\nThis 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. \n\nSmall Group Facilitator Bio\nMichael 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. \n\nTestimonials\n“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 \n“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 \n“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 \n“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 \n“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 \n“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
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/story-driven-advocacy-crafting-case-narratives-and-mitigation-for-trial/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Online Course
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260420
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260424
DTSTAMP:20260403T152832
CREATED:20251110T181051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T222150Z
UID:10000471-1776643200-1776988799@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:NAPD Changemakers Forum 2026
DESCRIPTION:NAPD Changemakers – The NAPD Learning Lab\nChangemakers is A Learning Lab for the Future of Public Defense\nThe National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) cordially invites innovators\, leaders\, visionaries\, and policy professionals in public defense to join us for a bold and reimagined Strategic Leadership Forum — designed as a hands-on learning lab for the field. \nThis is not a traditional conference. This is a working convening for people who are actively shaping — and must now reimagine — the future of public defense. \nAcross the country\, public defense systems are facing unprecedented pressure. From funding cuts and threats to independence\, to recruitment and retention crises\, unsustainable workloads\, immigration impacts\, and long-term sustainability\, the challenges before us require more than discussion — they require collective problem-solving\, strategic planning\, and courageous leadership. \nThis Forum creates intentional space for public defender leaders and emerging changemakers to think\, build\, and plan together — across jurisdictions\, roles\, and perspectives. \nWho Should Attend\nThis learning lab is designed for: \n\n     Public Defender Leaders and Executives\n     Deputy and Managing Defenders\n     Policy and Legislative Staff\n     Innovators and Visionaries in Public Defense\n     Supervisors\, Training Directors\, and System Builders\n     Those preparing for future leadership roles\n\nIf you are responsible for navigating budgets\, protecting office independence\, addressing staffing crises\, responding to immigration-related defense needs\, managing workloads\, or planning for long-term sustainability — this Forum was built for you. \nIf you are thinking about how to lead through uncertainty\, protect your office\, support your people\, and design stronger systems for the future — you will not want to miss this event. \nA Reinvented Format: From Conference to Learning Lab\nWe’ve reinvented the conventional institute format to create an interactive\, collaborative\, and action-oriented experience. While we will still host a small number of critical plenaries\, the heart of this Forum is built around shared learning\, innovation\, and strategic design. \nSpark Presentations\nHear from thought leaders and practitioners in 5–10 minute\, high-impact talks focused on real challenges and real solutions. These sessions elevate ideas from those in the trenches and spotlight strategies that are working — or need to be built. \nOpen Space Sessions\nThese participant-driven sessions invite attendees to brainstorm\, problem-solve\, and design actionable strategies around the issues they care most about. This organic and highly participatory format fosters deep collaboration and practical innovation.  See the video at the below for an explanation of the open space event process. \n \nStrategic Action Planning & Expert Consultation\nTo ensure this work goes beyond ideas\, the Forum will include guided strategy sessions and expert consultations to support participants in translating insights into concrete\, executable plans. \nYou will leave not only inspired — but equipped with tools\, frameworks\, and next steps you can take back to your office\, jurisdiction\, or organization. \nThis Forum is not just another convening. It is a launchpad for real-world change in public defense. \nWhy This Matters Now\nPublic defense is at a critical inflection point. Leaders are being asked to do more with less\, to protect constitutional rights amid shrinking resources\, and to sustain systems under extraordinary strain. \nThis Forum offers a rare opportunity to: \n\n     Collaborate across jurisdictions\n     Share hard-won lessons and innovative practices\n     Strategically plan for funding challenges and sustainability\n     Tackle recruitment and retention with new approaches\n     Address workload crises with collective insight\n     Protect independence and strengthen systems\n     Build the future of public defense — together\n\nRegistration\, Cost & Accessibility\nTo democratize participation\, attendees are asked to cover their own registration and travel costs. This allows us to focus resources on delivering a high-quality\, high-impact experience.  Scholarship applications not available at this time.  \n$650 if you book your stay at the conference hotel! \nHotel Details\nAll attendees are responsible for their own accommodations.  Below is the information for the discounted room block associated with the NAPD event. \nHyatt Place Atlanta / Centennial Park\n300 Luckie St NW\, Atlanta\, Georgia\, 30313\nRate:  $181.00 per night\nCut off date is March 27\, 2026\nReservation Link:  https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/ATLZT/G-NAPD\n\nSchedule\nHere is a general outline of the schedule\, for planning purposes:\n\nMonday\, April 20: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Reception at hotel: 6:00 PM)\nTuesday\, April 21: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM\nWednesday\, April 22: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Lunch will be provided)\nThursday\, April 23: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/changemakers-2026/
LOCATION:Atlanta\, Georgia\, Atlanta\, GA\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person Conference
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