National Association for Public Defense

Social Worker Meetup
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual, Virtual Event
In this social worker meetup (for social workers, sentencing advocates, mitigation specialists, and others in similar roles) we will be talking about if and how (any why, if so) we write to aggravators. Mitigation exists on its own, but is developed in response to a case’s aggravators. This responsive approach is not always how we prepare or present mitigation. Are you writing to address and nullify aggravators? Why or why not? We will discuss this and more in our meetup this week!
Stephanne 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.

Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
2026-03-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-01 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-08 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-15 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-22 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-29 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-06 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-13 16:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date | Virtual, Virtual Event
This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical, working session—not a webinar. Together, we will:

Workshop active campaigns involving statutes, rules, budget advocacy, and administrative reforms.
Exchange model bill language, fiscal notes, one-pagers, and testimony templates.
Coordinate strategy on messaging, media engagement, coalition building, and storytelling from impacted communities.
Navigate ethics constraints, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.
Translate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive, data-informed advocacy.
Share tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.

Story-Driven Advocacy: Crafting Case Narratives and Mitigation for Trial
2026-03-31 14:00 - 2026-04-24 15:30 | Virtual, Virtual Event
Description
In 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.
Dates:
Begins March 30 week for 4 weeks. Each live workshop session is capped at 4 registrants (choose one date that works for your schedule).
Live 90-minute workshop sessions are offered on:

Wednesday 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22 2:00-3:30 pm EST
Tuesday 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21 2:00-3:30 pm EST
Friday 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24 2:00-3:30 pm EST

NOTE: ONLY WEDNESDAY GROUP SPACES REMAINING
Price:
$325 NAPD Members / $425 Public
Registration closes on 3/23/26 at 5PM EST

What to Expect
On-Demand Learning
Each 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.
Facilitated Small Group Workshops
Join 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.
A similar course is also offered as in an on demand model without the workshops – click here to register

Topics Covered

Understand how story creates juror bias in trials
Learn the basic mechanism of storytelling used successfully at jury trials
Explore how to apply storytelling technique to your case
Use storytelling techniques to create empathy and action

Who Should Attend
This 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.

Small Group Facilitator Bio
Michael 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.

Testimonials
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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

Leading with Heart and Integrity: Emotional Intelligence and Ethical Leadership in Public Defense
2026-04-02 13:00 - 14:30 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/leading-with-heart-and-integrity-emotional-intelligence-and-ethical-leadership-in-public-defense/
Description
Public defenders operate daily in environments that demand empathy, clarity, and ethical judgment. This 90-minute interactive webinar, led by Dr. Pam Love and Dr. Lori James, explores how emotional intelligence (EI) enhances ethical decision-making and leadership effectiveness. Participants will examine how self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill—core components of EI—directly influence ethical reasoning, professional integrity, and team trust. Attendees will learn strategies to apply The Four Frames along with emotional intelligence to complex ethical dilemmas, strengthen team cohesion, and sustain well-being while leading in high-stress environments.

Note: The Four Frames of Leadership, developed by Bolman and Deal, are mental models (Structural, Human Resource, Political, Symbolic)

Learning Objectives

Goal 1: Deepen the understanding of emotional intelligence as a leadership competency.

Objective 1.1: Identify and describe the five domains of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills).
Objective 1.2: Explore how emotional intelligence influences leadership effectiveness in public defense settings and how the Four-Frames Model supports the need for us to develop in this area.

Goal 2: Strengthen ethical decision-making through emotional intelligence.

Objective 2.1: Examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and ethical reasoning in client advocacy and workplace dynamics.
Objective 2.2: Apply an ethical decision-making model that integrates emotional intelligence to resolve leadership and client-centered dilemmas.

Goal 3: Discuss ways in which emotionally intelligent leadership practices promote equity and resilience.

Objective 3.1: Discuss strategies to manage emotional triggers and promote psychological safety within teams.
Objective 3.2: Discuss ways in which personal action planning enhances ethical and emotionally intelligent leadership practices in daily defense work.

Presenters

Lori James, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW-C
Lori James, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW-C is a nationally recognized executive leader, scholar, ordained minister, and sought-after speaker with more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of leadership development, social justice, criminal legal reform, and faith-based advocacy. She currently serves as Executive Director of the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD), where she leads a national organization representing more than 27,000 public defense professionals across the United States and U.S. territories, advancing equity, excellence, and systemic reform in public defense. Dr. James earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (2025). Her dissertation, Chains of Grace: The Church’s Call to Minister to Previously Incarcerated Individuals, examines the theological, pastoral, and psychosocial responsibilities of the Church in responding to mass incarceration and reentry. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Morgan State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C) and is pursuing a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Tulane University, focusing on women in executive leadership. A certified John Maxwell Trainer, Coach, and Speaker, Dr. James is also the President and CEO of Expand-NOW, LLC, where she provides executive coaching, leadership development, organizational consulting, and faith-informed training to justice-centered organizations nationwide. A recipient of the Gideon Hero Award and recognition as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women (2015, 2025). Dr. James is widely respected for leading with clarity, courage, compassion, and conviction—consistently advancing dignity, restoring humanity, and equipping leaders to serve boldly at the margins.

Dr. Pamela Love
President of DP Love Enterprises and founder of the Finishers Network, who is an internationally renowned speaker, author, and coach. With a PhD in social work and a MBA, Dr. Love has dedicated her career to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their highest potential. She has been on faculty with NAPD for over 5 years.

Investigator Meetup: Cell phone data retrieval and a new free tool to use! W/ Benjamin Van Meter
2026-04-03 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-cell-phone-data-retrieval-and-a-new-free-tool-to-use-w-benjamin-van-meter/
Cell phone data retrieval and a new free tool to use! W/ Benjamin Van Meter
This talk will cover the basics of cellphone data retrieved from phone carriers and how to use a new, open-source tool we’ve developed to map location data such as a cellphone’s GPS coordinates, cell tower usage, and distance from a cell tower. This tool produces visualizations of cellphone location data similar to the maps seen in an FBI CAST report and allows users to easily copy data received in discovery and quickly map it. As we’ll talk about, this tool has proven very helpful for triage work as attorneys and investigators sort through discovery – comparing this information with other location data of interest (e.g. crime scenes, surveillance locations, witness/client residences), checking the State’s evidence, determining the necessity of a forensic expert, and assessing the feasibility of different defenses.
Benjamin Van Meter has worked as a trial attorney for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender in Essex County since October 2022 and is also a staff attorney with OPD’s Police Accountability Unit. He previously clerked with Justice Barry Albin of the New Jersey Supreme Court and Judge Kevin McNulty of the New Jersey federal district court. Prior to law school, he worked for the investigative and cybersecurity company K2 Intelligence where he conducted background checks, private investigations, corporate due diligence research, and anti-money laundering analysis. Ben graduated from Tufts University in 2013 with a BA in Russian and East European Studies and graduated from Cornell Law School in 2020 with a JD in public law.

Using VPSA Framework For Strategic Communication
2026-04-06 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/using-vpsa-framework-for-strategic-communication/
Description
VPSA (Value, Problem, Solution, Action} is a communication framework designed to build persuasive, values based messages. It’s the primary tool for social justice leaders and communicators to move audiences toward systemic change.
Learning Objectives
1. Establish common ground through shared values.
2. Reframe problems as systemic threats that have opportunities for solutions.
3. Motivate specific audience action(s).

Presenter(s)
Darwin Hamilton is an award winning fifth-generation Austinite, whose ancestral home, the historic Dedrick-Hamilton House that has served as office space for the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce and site of the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility. He is one of the co-founders of the Reentry Advocacy Project (RAP)
For over a decade he has been an activist, advocate, strategist, mentor, leader, keynote speaker and author of his self-published memoir 25 Years Later: A Sentence from Crime to Redemption, Resilience, Advocacy and Leadership. His memoir offers a rare and urgent perspective on the criminal justice system, blending raw storytelling with sharp policy insight. His op-eds have been published in the Austin American Statesman and by the ACLU of Texas.
As an author and speaker, he brings lived experience to the table with clarity, compassion, and strategic vision, offering actionable recommendations for change. Whether addressing policymakers, practitioners, or community leaders. He illuminates the path from fear to hope and possibility, from survival to systemic transformation.
Currently he serves on the Oversight Board of Travis County’s Public Defender Office, National Association of Public Defense Board of Directors, Trinity University and UTSA Philosophy & Literature Circle. He is an alumnus of Leadership Austin – Essential program and JustLeadership USA 2018 cohorts.

Investigator Supervisor meetup - Open Chat
2026-04-08 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-open-chat-2/
Come be part of our conversation of the challenges of being a supervisor poses in your offices. We cover what new things are needed, what tried and true things are working well and everything in between! Come Join us.

JONATHAN “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 more than 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/).

He 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.

He 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.

The Defender Wellness Collective MeetUp, Featuring Featuring: Dr. Crystal Currie
2026-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-defender-wellness-collective-meetup-4/
Together, We Are the Culture
As we build this community, remember that culture is not imposed; It is grown.
“You are essential. You are worth sustaining.”
You’re not alone.
Let’s walk this road together, building a culture of wellness for everyone in public defense.

Link the NAPD 10 Principles of Sustainability

Kluver–Bucy Syndrome (KBS) and the Criminal Justice System: A Forensic Neuroscience and Neurocriminological Perspective
2026-04-13 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/kluver-bucy-syndrome-kbs-and-the-criminal-justice-system/
Klüver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder precipitated by bilateral brain damage in the temporal lobes, including the hippocampus and amygdala. Common causes of this type of brain damage include traumatic brain injuries, strokes, herpes simplex encephalitis, tuberculosis, and other neurological conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases). Typical consequences of KBS include visual agnosia, memory difficulties, placidity, and behavioral disturbances (e.g., disinhibition and hypersexuality). These behavioral symptoms can contribute to the onset of criminal justice involvement, which is not uncommon among some individuals with KBS or other neurological disorders. Developed for criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal professionals, this innovative training provides an overview of the etiology, symptoms, and developmental trajectories of KBS. Cutting-edge research from forensic neuroscience and neurocriminology will be highlighted throughout the training.

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences.Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with ErvWeinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.

Social Worker Meetup
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-29 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-06 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual, Virtual Event
Stephanne 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.

DEIJ/Racial Justice MeetUp featuring Guest Presenter Lei Young
2026-04-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Virtual Event
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.

What Have We Learned So Far from the National Public Defense Well-Being Study?
2026-04-16 15:00 - 16:30 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/what-have-we-learned-so-far-from-the-national-public-defense-well-being-study/
Description:
BeSustained, a national nonprofit with the mission of improving access to justice by advancing the well-being of public defenders, is conducting a national study of well-being in public defense. At this webinar, Harvard Business School researcher Jon Jachimowicz will share findings from a daily diary study conducted in November 2025, seeking to deepen our understanding of what drives passion, energy and sustainability in public defense. Matt Thiese, a researcher with the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, will share plans for the upcoming survey and focus groups that will survey issues affecting public defender well-being. The findings and recommendations from this project will help support individual defenders, improve the organizations we work in, and inform the systems making budget and policy decisions that impact public defense.
Presenter Bio:
Jon M. Jachimowicz is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Organizational Behavior Unit at Harvard Business School, where he teaches the Leadership and Organizational Behavior course (LEAD) in the Required Curriculum. He studies the experience, antecedents, and consequences of passion. His work reveals that scholars and the broader public often fundamentally misunderstand passion.
Matthew S. Thiese, PhD, MSPH, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah’s Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, one of the 18 NIOSH-sponsored Education and Research Centers in the US. He earned his BS in Exercise and Sport Science (2001), MSPH in General Public Health (2003), and PhD in Occupational Injury Prevention (2008). Dr. Thiese’s dissertation focused on the predictive relationship on physical activity and the incidence of low back pain. This dissertation involved field measurements of workers’ on-the-job and leisure time physical activity. He has extensive experience in physical activity assessment, energy expenditure measurement, and observational research. Dr. Thiese’s primary areas of research interest are 1) transportation worker health and 2) musculoskeletal disorders. His research has included multiple field studies, including three large cohort studies and two large cross-sectional studies involving either transportation workers or musculoskeletal disorders. Dr. Thiese currently teaches three courses at the School of Medicine and is involved in multiple ongoing field research projects. Dr. Thiese has field experiences with measuring aerobic capacity and energy expenditures in both laboratory and occupational settings.
Jenny Andrews, she/her. A child of counterculture, raised off the grid by back-to-the-land hippies on the Lost Coast in Northern California, Jenny Andrews is a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School. She started her career as a public defender in Oakland, California in 1996, but left after seven years, after experiencing burnout and moral injury, and didn’t practice law for three years. She returned to public defense work in 2007 and continued working as a public defender in Sonoma County and Santa Barbara County until 2022, consistently litigating cases and navigating challenges to sustainability in a wide variety of positions, including: Forensic Resource Counsel, Felony Team Leader, Director of Training, and Senior Deputy. In 2022, she became the Director of Training at the Indigent Defense Improvement Division of the Office of the State Public Defender, a new statewide effort to support and train indigent defenders in California. She teaches on the faculty of Gideon’s Promise, the National Association for Public Defense, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, the National Criminal Defense College, the Trial Advocacy Workshop at Harvard Law School, and the Stanford Trial Advocacy & New Defender Uplift Program (STANDUP). She is the founder and director of BeSustained, a national nonprofit with the mission of improving access to justice by advancing the well-being of public defenders. She speaks nationwide on public defense well-being and has been interviewed by Slate Magazine, Public Defenseless and Moral Matters podcasts.

NAPD Changemakers Forum 2026
2026-04-20 - 2026-04-23 | Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta, GA, United States
NAPD Changemakers – The NAPD Learning Lab
Changemakers is A Learning Lab for the Future of Public Defense
The 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.
This 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.
Across 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.
This Forum creates intentional space for public defender leaders and emerging changemakers to think, build, and plan together — across jurisdictions, roles, and perspectives.
Who Should Attend
This learning lab is designed for:

Public Defender Leaders and Executives
Deputy and Managing Defenders
Policy and Legislative Staff
Innovators and Visionaries in Public Defense
Supervisors, Training Directors, and System Builders
Those preparing for future leadership roles

If 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.
If 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.
A Reinvented Format: From Conference to Learning Lab
We’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.
Spark Presentations
Hear 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.
Open Space Sessions
These 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.

Strategic Action Planning & Expert Consultation
To 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.
You will leave not only inspired — but equipped with tools, frameworks, and next steps you can take back to your office, jurisdiction, or organization.
This Forum is not just another convening. It is a launchpad for real-world change in public defense.
Why This Matters Now
Public 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.
This Forum offers a rare opportunity to:

Collaborate across jurisdictions
Share hard-won lessons and innovative practices
Strategically plan for funding challenges and sustainability
Tackle recruitment and retention with new approaches
Address workload crises with collective insight
Protect independence and strengthen systems
Build the future of public defense — together

Registration, Cost & Accessibility
To 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.
$650 if you book your stay at the conference hotel!
Hotel Details
All attendees are responsible for their own accommodations. Below is the information for the discounted room block associated with the NAPD event.
Hyatt Place Atlanta / Centennial Park
300 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30313
Rate: $181.00 per night
Cut off date is March 27, 2026
Reservation Link: https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/ATLZT/G-NAPD

Schedule
Here is a general outline of the schedule, for planning purposes:

Monday, April 20: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Reception at hotel: 6:00 PM)
Tuesday, April 21: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, April 22: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Lunch will be provided)
Thursday, April 23: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

DEIJ/Racial Justice Meet Up
2026-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Virtual Event
Details TBD

Better Jury Selection During Chaotic Times
2026-05-06 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/better-jury-selection-during-chaotic-times/
Description
We live in interesting times. The social and political turmoil creates challenges and opportunities for the criminal justice system and makes the information received from jurors even more critical. This presentation will address how to improve conditions for jury selection and improving questioning techniques for receiving information, including on sensitive issues such as race, gender, immigration and law enforcement credibility. We will discuss law, strategy, and de-selection techniques to help your clients’ cases.
Presenter(s)
Michael L. Stout

DEIJ/Racial Justice MeetUp featuring Guest Presenter
2026-05-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Virtual Event
Details TBA. Meetup events are exclusive to NAPD members.

The Defender Wellness Collective MeetUp
2026-05-14 14:00 - 15:00

Energy Drink Consumption and Problematic Behavior: A Clinical, Forensic Mental Health, and Neurocriminological Perspective
2026-05-18 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/energy-drink-consumption-and-problematic-behavior/
Energy drinks have become increasingly popular in the United States and beyond. There is a diverse selection of energy drinks found on the market. Although there is no single definition, these beverages typically contain high amounts of sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants. Excessive consumption of energy drinks can contribute to several adverse emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and physical health outcomes. This training will examine the impact energy drink consumption has on human health and behavior through a clinical, forensic mental health, and neurocriminological lens. Other relevant topics of interest discussed include prenatal energy drink exposure, metabolic syndrome, risk-taking behaviors, internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems, co-occurring substance use problems, central nervous system dysregulation, food insecurity, self-control deficits, and health risk behaviors, among others. Empirically based research findings will be highlighted throughout this training.

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.

NAPD Leadership Institute 2026 - SOLD OUT
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-22 | Detroit, Michigan, Detroit, MI
NAPD’s Leadership Institute will occur May 19-22, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.

Early Bird Price – Members
$800.00

Early Bird Price – nonmembers
$950.00

Standard Price – members
$900.00

Standard Price – nonmembers
$1,050.00

Early Bird Deadline
By COB March 18th

What to Expect:
Check out this year’s schedule here: https://napdleadershipinstitute2026.sched.com/
At the Institute, leaders will work on both a Case Problem designed to tackle common challenges faced in public defense offices and have the opportunity to discuss their unique issues outside of the case problem.
Small Group, Intensive Coaching:
Participants will work in small groups with expert facilitators and participants from across the nation, Facilitators will guide you through leadership models to explore the Institute Case Problem and address personal leadership challenges. This personalized, intensive coaching will help you develop solutions to both shared and individual issues.
Who Should Attend:
This training is ideal for both new and experienced leaders from all sectors of public defense—federal, state, county, contract, and assigned counsel systems. Leaders of investigators, social workers, administrators, and other public defense professionals are encouraged to attend. NAPD’s leadership trainings provide the practical tools you need to bring transformative change to your office, justice system, and community.
Leave the Institute with strategies to apply what you’ve learned, making an immediate impact when you return to your organization.

Check out some of the past event schedules:
Leadership Institute 2025 Schedule
Leadership Institute 2023 Schedule
Comments from past participants
“I thought the conference was great. The topics and presentations were relevant to my work and everyone who presented was a pro. They knew how to relay information in a dynamic way; they taught without being pedantic. They were funny! It’s also nice to be in a space where people are grappling with similar issues. I’ve been to trainings for managers that are meant to be helpful, but are designed for corporate offices or non-legal settings. This training was completely tailored to PD offices and NOT to corporate America.”
“This conference was very well tailored to our work and the experience I had this year compared to an earlier version of the conference was much improved! Instead of war stories, the faculty were poignant, appropriately vulnerable about their own pitfalls, and gave good practical advice for moving forward.”
“NAPD puts on a great conference. All of the plenary sessions were engaging and motivational. The addition of the small groups made the discussions at the plenary sessions come to life.”
Hotel Details
Each attendee is responsible for their own accommodations. Below are the details of the discounted rate associated with our event.
Fort Pontchartrain Detroit, a Wyndham Hotel
2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, Michigan 48226
Rate: $152.00 per night
Cut off date is April 24, 2026
Reservation Link: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/55399?checkInDate=05/18/2026&checkOutDate=05/22/2026&groupCode=051826NAP

Please review NAPD Event Policies regarding attendance and cancellations
