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X-WR-CALNAME:National Association for Public Defense
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://publicdefenders.us
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Association for Public Defense
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TZID:America/New_York
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DTSTART:20260308T070000
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DTSTART:20261101T060000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T150000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260112T201545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T201618Z
UID:10000487-1768399200-1768402800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Supervisor Meetup - Make it better - FIRST one of the year!
DESCRIPTION:Hi  investigators in a supervisory role\, \nit will be the second Wednesday of the month \, so let’s chat about how things are in your offices\, with your cases and clients. \nSee you Wednesday! \nFirst one of the year\, how can we make it better in your office?
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-make-it-better-2026/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Inv-Supv-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-make-it-better-2026/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260116T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260116T150000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260112T195502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T205136Z
UID:10000486-1768572000-1768575600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup: What do we need for our new year?
DESCRIPTION:Let’s meet and chat about what’s on your mind\, how things are in your office and what is in needed to make it a better year? \nBring your top 3 things that you would like to see as improvements in your casework! \nUPDATE: We will also go over the Investigator policy from NY state\, that is great template for all of us.  If you’d like a copy please join our listserv here:  Investigators+subscribe@NAPD.groups.io \n  \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-2026-01/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-INV-MU-1st-needs.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-2026-01/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T130000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260115T231817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T231817Z
UID:10000491-1768996800-1769000400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup: What Do You Need in 2026?
DESCRIPTION:In this first meetup for 2026\, we will talk about what we need. Are you looking for resources or efficiencies? Training ideas\, research articles\, or collaborations? Case consults? What is it that we need to bolster our work in 2026? Join the meetup and share what you need\, and you may get some ideas and solutions in turn! \nStephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia\, Colorado\, and West Virginia. She is currently the Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program\, and owner of Transform Legal\, a consultancy focused on mitigation\, training\, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor\, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients\, lawyers\, social workers\, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-meetup-what-do-you-need-in-2026/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/SW-MU-1st-2026-needs-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-meetup-what-do-you-need-in-2026/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T170000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260119T170251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T193823Z
UID:10000492-1769011200-1769014800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/Policy-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260121T170000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260127T221815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T183109Z
UID:10000497-1769011200-1769014800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-2/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T150000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260115T224656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T231618Z
UID:10000490-1769090400-1769094000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Work Supervisors Meetup and Discussion
DESCRIPTION:This is a meetup and discussion for social worker supervisors who supervise social workers\, mitigation specialists\, sentencing advocates\, or dispositional advocates in public defender offices; this is for the supervisors. This month we will have an open topic for supervisors and map out conversations for the year. \nStephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia\, Colorado\, and West Virginia. She is currently the Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program\, and owner of Transform Legal\, a consultancy focused on mitigation\, training\, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor\, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients\, lawyers\, social workers\, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-supervisors-meetup-and-discussion-26-01/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/SW-Supv-Meetup-Needs.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-supervisors-meetup-and-discussion-26-01/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T163000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260121T164022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T164022Z
UID:10000493-1769095800-1769099400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Trainers Meet Up
DESCRIPTION:A weekly meetup where public defender trainers come together to connect\, share ideas\, talk through training challenges\, and exchange best practices. It’s a space to support one another\, learn from each other\, and strengthen training\, mentorship\, and advocacy across offices.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/trainers-meet-up/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/Trainers-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/trainers-meet-up/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T140000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260128T194700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T194909Z
UID:10000587-1769605200-1769608800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:DEIJ/Racial Justice Meet Up: Open Space
DESCRIPTION:Facilitated by Dr. Lori James
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/deij-racial-justice-meet-up-2/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260128T170000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260127T223829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T223853Z
UID:10000498-1769616000-1769619600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-3/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260130T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260130T150000
DTSTAMP:20260505T220425
CREATED:20260127T200755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T231839Z
UID:10000495-1769781600-1769785200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup: What kinds of training would we like?
DESCRIPTION:We will be joined by Amber Kaset to talk about what sort of training as investigators would be needed and wanted. Just like in A.I. it’s all about the prompting\, so we will provide some ideas and look forward to yours as well. Let’s plan what is needed together! \n\n\n\nAmber Kaset is widely recognized for her leadership in criminal defense investigations and investigator training\, with more than 20 years of experience as a private investigator and mitigation specialist. She founded AK Investigations in 2010 after seven years at the Metropolitan Public Defender in Nashville\, where she worked as a criminal defense investigator and interpreter.\n\nThroughout her career\, Amber has worked on more than 1\,000 cases spanning a broad spectrum of criminal and civil matters. Her experience includes serious felony cases across a wide range of offenses\, including sex crimes\, homicides\, and federal prosecutions\, with work at both the trial and post-conviction levels in capital and non-capital cases. She has participated in numerous death penalty cases across multiple states\, including cases involving foreign nationals from Latin America\, and partners with the Mexican Capital Legal Assistance Program (MCLAP)\, local innocence organizations\, the National Innocence Project\, public defender offices\, and private defense attorneys to support clients facing the most serious charges.\n\n\nWhat began as a one-woman practice has grown under Amber’s leadership into a multi-investigator firm with diverse skills and specialties. In addition to casework\, Amber provides investigative services\, training\, and consulting nationwide\, helping defense teams and investigators strengthen case development and elevate investigative standards. She regularly teaches and presents at national conferences and trainings for investigators\, attorneys\, paralegals\, and defense teams\, and has taught investigative practice to law students and other audiences at universities including Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee\, Knoxville. She is known for delivering thoughtful\, high-quality\, defense-centered support tailored to the unique needs of each case. \n\n\n\nAmber is the founder of AK Investigations and the creator of The Investigative Expert Method\, an online training platform for criminal defense investigators and other members of the defense team. \n\n\n\nFor more information\, visitwww.akinvestigations.com andwww.investigativeexpertmethod.com. \n\n\n\nJONATHAN “Jon” LYON is currently the Investigator Resource Coordinator\, past Member Support Coordinator and the national survey investigator for National Association for Public Defense. Since the pandemic he has led roughly 200 meetups for investigators both nationally and internationally. Jon is the president of Lyon Legal Logistics to help attorneys in and out of court with Discovery and technology and has assisted attorneys in multiple federal court jurisdictions (www.lyonlegallogistics.com/). \n\n\n\nHe is also a legal investigator for McClain Investigations. Jon began his investigative background working in a PI firm and then for 12 years for the Office of the State Appellate Defender of Illinois. His primary focus has been on post-conviction death penalty cases. In addition\, Jon worked for LexisNexis as an award-winning national trainer of the Case Map suite of software. He also worked for Lockheed Martin as a contractor supporting government attorneys and investigators with software and electronic discovery support needs. He is a Certified Defense Investigator through DePaul’s Center for Justice in Capital Cases and a Certified Trainer through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. He has taught at the Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College\, Cardoza\, DePaul\, Kent\, Iowa\, and University of Michigan law schools. \n\nHe has also taught at the National Defense Investigator Associations Annual Conferences\, National Association of Legal Investigators annual conference\, National Association for Public Defense\, The Innocence Project\, NACDL\, Federal Defender’s winning strategies conferences\, Life in the Balance\, American Society of Criminology\, US Army\, Intellenet and numerous state and county public defender conferences. It is not unheard of for Jon to be invited back to conferences. Jon was most recently interviewed on “Public Defenseless” episode #99. Jon is the Creator/Webmaster for the internationally utilized website www.internetsleuth.net.\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-what-kinds-of-training-would-we-like/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2023/12/Events-Icons-webinar-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-what-kinds-of-training-would-we-like/
END:VEVENT
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