Investigator Supervisor Meetup: First meeting of the year!
2025-01-08 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-first-meeting-of-the-year/
Hi supervisors,
Come join us for the first meetup of the year! What are your plans for the coming year and what we hope to accomplish, and what we did well in the past year!
See you Wednesday!
Jon

Racial Justice Meetup
2025-01-14 13:00 - 14:00
Start your New Year off right by joining us for our first RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP of 2025!
Let’s introduce ourselves and set our intentions for the year so we can do the work! Don’t miss this meetup! Meetup flyer and agenda will be posted on the listserv. Be sure that you don’t miss a Racial Justice Meetup (every second Tuesday of the month), add it to your calendar here.
Not on the Racial Justice listserv? Send your request to be added to BGT, DEIJ Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.
See you soon, NAPD!

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Criminal Justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Considerations
2025-01-14 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, multifaceted, neurodevelopmental disorder impacting several domains of functioning. Core deficits associated with autism include social communication deficits and impairments in reciprocal social-emotional interactions across multiple settings and repetitive and restricted patterns of interests, activities, and behaviors. It is important to note that the expression of these core deficits can vary significantly in terms of presence and severity from person to person depending on a host of factors. Although most individuals on the autism spectrum are law abiding citizens, a small subset of individuals diagnosed with this disorder engage in problematic and criminal-related behaviors. This training will examine the potential causes and contributing factors related to when someone with autism becomes involved in the criminal justice and legal systems. Implications for interviewing, screening, and intervention will also be discussed. A primary goal of this training is to learn why criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal professionals should become autism-informed. Empirically based research findings and case study examples 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 200 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.

Social Work Meetup: How Do We Get Them to Care?
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-how-do-we-get-them-to-care/
So often, our mitigation work uncovers harrowing life stories about individuals’ lives. These stories are compelling to us, but may fall flat with the finder of fact. How can we help them care? How can we present mitigation in a way to make the finder of fact care? Come with ideas and suggestions of what you have tried, what has worked, what didn’t work and why, and let’s discuss how to get others to care a fraction of the amount we do!
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 Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator for NAPD, 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.

Social Worker Supervisor Discussion
2025-01-21 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-discussion/
This Supervisor Discussion will continue the conversation around employee evaluations and other aspects of supervising social workers (and those in similar roles) in defense based offices.
Facilitated by: Kevin Bishop, LCSW, Social Worker Coordinator with The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (CO); Michael E. Moore, LMSW, Social Work Supervisor with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice (NY); and Claudia Dunne, LICSW, Director of Social Work & Private Social Service Vendors, Youth Advocacy Division (YAD), CPCS (MA).

Our first DEIJ MEETUP of 2025!
2025-01-22 13:00 - 14:00
DEIJ Advocates,
Start your New Year off right by joining us for our first DEIJ MEETUP of 2025!
Let’s introduce ourselves and set our intentions for the year so we can do the work! Don’t miss this meetup! Meetup flyer and agenda will be posted on the listserv.
See you soon, DEIJ!

Social Work Meetup: Incorporating Immigration Stories into Mitigation
2025-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/83064169225
Crimmigration is the intersection of criminal and immigration law, but it is also an opportunity to develop and tell the immigration story through mitigation. Immigration stories can be rich with hope and heavy with trauma and in this week’s meetup we will talk about the different ways and points in the case where we weave in the immigration story in our telling of mitigation.

NAPD Virtual Tech Expo 2025
2025-01-30 - 2025-01-31
Join Us for the NAPD Virtual Tech Expo 2025: AI Revolution in Public Defense – Innovate, Integrate, Impact

https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2024/10/tech-expo-promo.wav
Click above to listen to the Tech Expo Podcast Deep Dive (3 min) (created using AI in NotebookLM)
Event Date: January 30-31, 2025
Cost: Free for NAPD Members
Session Recordings: Available post-event for registered attendees
Public defenders and AI solution providers alike are facing a crucial moment in the integration of technology within public defense. The 2025 NAPD Virtual Tech Expo bridges this gap, offering an invaluable opportunity to learn, engage, and implement AI-driven innovations into your practice.
What to Expect:

45-Minute Sponsor Sessions: Our sponsors will showcase cutting-edge AI solutions that are transforming legal research, digital evidence analysis and analysis, and case management. The presenters are familiar with unique requirements and restrictions of public defender offices. See how the latest tools can make your work more efficient and effective.
Expert-Led Public Defense Sessions: Learn from public defense professionals who are leveraging AI in ethical and impactful ways. These sessions will cover:

AI in individual casework: Enhancing case strategy and outcomes.
Systemic arguments using AI: Empowering your advocacy for criminal justice reform.
Automating systems within public defense: Streamlining workflows to better serve clients.
Ethics and responsible use
Creating and updating office policies
Process for selecting vendors

See the current program
This event is designed for public defenders at all stages of AI integration—whether you’re exploring how to get started or looking to enhance your current use of technology. All sessions will be recorded, so you won’t miss out even if you can’t attend live.
Featuring

Giselle Pomerleau, Federal Public Defender New Jersey
Carlos Martinez, Miami-Dade Public Defender
Brett Schandelson, Director of the Montana Office of State Public Defender
Rocky Ramirez, Concho Valley Public Defender in Texas

Thank you to our sponsors

Investigator Meetup: Immigration Impact on investigations
2025-02-07 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/87895561683
This discussion will include a basic overview of some of the recent immigration changes that could impact investigations, including changes that could make witnesses more biased and/or more nervous about engaging with you or with the legal system overall. I will also talk about how to find and interpret what limited immigration is available online.
Stephanie Wolf is the Director of Immigration Services for the MD Office of the Public Defender. She was previously an assistant public defender in Maryland and an assistant federal public defender in Las Cruces, NM.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Miranda Rights Comprehension Deficits, and False Confessions
2025-02-10 15:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd-2/
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the fastest growing neurodevelopmental disorders in the world, with approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States meeting the diagnostic criteria (CDC, 2024). This multi-faceted, lifelong condition is a broad spectrum of symptoms that can range widely in presence and severity. Although most individuals on the autism spectrum are law abiding citizens, a small subset of individuals diagnosed with this disorder do come into contact with the criminal justice system as suspects or perpetrators of crime. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often struggle to navigate different stages and processes of the criminal justice and legal systems. This includes police interviews, interrogations, standing trial, testifying, and complying with the conditions of sentences in custodial (e.g., jail and prison) and community (e.g., probation and parole) settings. The communication, interpersonal, and behavioral symptoms of ASD, along with its comorbid conditions, directly undermines a person’s capacity to successfully function and make legal decisions (e.g., Miranda waivers and confessions). Designed for professionals working in psycholegal settings, this training will examine the contributing factors associated with poor Miranda rights comprehension and false confession risk among this population group. Best practices in criminal justice and legal interviewing through an autism-informed lens will also be discussed. Attendance will be particularly beneficial for professionals who want to improve the accuracy of information garnered during their interviews of persons with autism and learns ways to reduce miscarriages of justice among this vulnerable population group. 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), intellectual and developmental disabilities, confabulation, suggestibility, memory, Miranda rights comprehension issues, sleep disturbances, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI). traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, 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.

Stress & Public Criminal Defense: Comparing Male & Female Defender Experiences and Coping Strategies
2025-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/82379730945
This presentation discusses the findings from a study that focused on stress and coping strategies among public defenders, and particularly compared the experiences of male and female defenders. As frontline workers, critical to the due process of law, understanding and eradicating stress is essential to their well-being and the fair treatment of defendants. Employing thematic analysis of public defenders’ responses to open-ended questions, this study found gendered differences in how male and female defenders described their work motivations, challenges, and strategies for dealing with stress. Both male and female public defenders confront the stresses of injustice and heavy workloads. Female defenders, however, are more likely to experience gender discrimination and disrespect and the added stress of family and parenting responsibilities. Emotion-focused and recovery coping strategies were adopted far more often by public defenders than problem-focused approaches, but male defenders expressed psychologically detaching from work far more often than female defenders. The differences in male-female defender experiences and coping strategies and policy solutions for public defender stress are discussed.
Alisa Smith, J.D., Ph.D. is a Professor of Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida, and a retired assistant public defender. Her research interests include the study of the misdemeanor courts, the right to counsel, and the role of discourse in framing and maintaining power.T he goal of her life’s work as a former public defender and academic has been to improve the criminal legal system, particularly for the indigent.

Social Work Meetup: Talking about Deportations
2025-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/83064169225
This meetup will focus on talking to our clients about the mass deportations as they risk impacting our clients and their families. We will also discuss and work to better understand the impact of these deportations on those affected. We want to be able to talk to our clients about these very real fears without being obstructive, oppressive, or causing additional emotional harm. We want to bring added awareness, sensitivity, and acknowledgment of our privileges to these (and every) conversation with our clients. Join this meetup to talk collectively about this challenging and frightening topic, and how we can better support and be present for our impacted clients. Mitigation specialist and social worker, Lindsey Sandoval, will be our special guest.
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.
Lindsey Sandoval is a licensed clinical social worker and has been practicing social work for over sixteen years. She received her Bachelor of social work degree in 2006 and a Master of social work degree in 2014. Lindsey’s experience includes child welfare, respondent parent advocacy, guardian ad litem social work, school social work, and defense-based forensic social work. In August 2016 Lindsey was hired as the first Denver juvenile public defender social worker and helped to create the social work position at the Denver Trial Office. After leaving the Public Defender’s office in March 2019 Lindsey became a contract forensic social worker with Alternate Defense Counsel. Lindsey has worked on countless Direct Files, homicides, and detention cases and has facilitated several juvenile-focused pieces of training for Colorado Juvenile Defender Center and Alternate Defense Counsel.

Investigator Supervisor Meetup: Open chat
2025-02-12 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/82381950121
HI Supervisors,
A discussion of what things are on the horizon for your offices. What challenges do you foresee. what new tools have been of use and where do you want to concentrate your efforts for your staff?

Social Worker Supervisor Discussion
2025-02-18 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-discussion-2025-02-18/
This discussion is for supervisors of social workers, mitigation specialists, dispositional advocates, sentencing advocates, and social work interns. It offers an opportunity to talk with other supervisors about how to coach, evaluate, and manage the work in defense based offices.
Facilitated by: Kevin Bishop, LCSW, Social Worker Coordinator with The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (CO); Michael E. Moore, LMSW, Social Work Supervisor with The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice (NY); and Claudia Dunne, LICSW, Director of Social Work & Private Social Service Vendors, Youth Advocacy Division (YAD), CPCS (MA).

Social Work Meetup: What Do We Need? What Do We Have?
2025-02-26 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/83064169225
This meetup will broadly talk about what needs (resources, types of support, training, emotional bandwidth, etc.) we have in the work we are doing, and also discuss resources, strategies, supports, and ideas we have at our disposal. It is a broad topic that can apply to our emotional needs as well as our tangible supports – it runs the gamut so join in on the discussion!
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.

February 2025 DEIJ and Racial Justice Meetup Mashup:Confronting Race Advocacy and Healing in the Shadow of Systemic Bias (Black History Month Edition)
2025-02-26 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/confronting-race-advocacy/
Join the February 2025 DEIJ and Racial Justice Meetup Mashup for BLACK HISTORY MONTH! NAPD’s Executive Director, Lori James, MSW, will give her highly anticipated presentation – CONFRONTING RACE: ADVOCACY AND HEALING IN THE SHADOW OF SYSTEMIC BIAS ©.
Through this presentation, members will learn how to serve as powerful allies and defenders in the fight against racial injustice. We will delve into the complexities of racial trauma, gauge our implicit biases, work to better understand how systematic bias impacts our clients of color, and develop strategies that challenge systemic prejudices.
Lori James earned her master’s Degree in clinical social work (University of Maryland SSW) and her B.A. in Social Work from Morgan State University. Lori has over 25 years of clinical, training, and organizational development experience, which includes program development, program management, collegiate instruction, as well as, leadership and management training. Lori has served as faculty for several universities, and as a member of national and regional leadership, development, communication, and team-building trainings. Lori is also President of Expand-Now, LLC, through this entity she can fulfill her lifelong passion of adding value to others through teaching and learning. She is a part-time Clinical Professor in the Family Studies and Community Development Department at Towson University. Prior to joining the Towson University family, she served as Director of Leadership and Program Development at Maryland Office of Public Defender which has more than 800 employees across the state of Maryland. While in this position, she demonstrated her ability to help others grow in the areas of teamwork, leadership and management. She also led the agency’s social work staff, consultants, and interns. In 2015, The Daily Record Newspaper named her as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. In addition to working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is also an author, and John Maxwell Certified Coach, Facilitator, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker.

Investigator Meetup: Open chat
2025-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-2025-02-28/
Investigators, we have had a bit of a break about we are back for our regular meetup! So, let’s chat about what’s been going with you and how things are with you, your office and client’s. I look forward in seeing you Friday!

Memory Phenomena and False Narrative Creation: An Examination of Suggestibility, Confabulation, and Source Misattribution in Criminal justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Settings
2025-03-10 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/memory-phenomena-and-false-narrative-creation/
This training will examine various memory phenomena that can cause false narrative creation and its implications within criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings. In particular, three types of memory phenomena will be the main focus of this training: suggestibility, confabulation, and source misattribution. Suggestibility is a person’s predisposition to accepting inaccurate information as fact and incorporating this into memories of an event. In contrast, confabulation occurs when a person creates a new inaccurate memory of an event. Despite no deliberate intention to lie or deceive others, instances of suggestibility and confabulation can undermine everything from assessment and treatment to confessions and eyewitness testimony. For example, false information provided by a person during screening and assessment can contribute to missed or misdiagnoses, which contributes to inappropriate and ineffective treatment and intervention plans. Alternatively, false information provided during police interviews and interrogations or legal proceedings can result in false confessions, inaccurate eyewitness testimony, and wrongful convictions. Complicating matters, common techniques used during police questioning and cross-examinations like repetitive questioning and negative feedback only exacerbate the risk of these phenomena within forensic mental health and legal settings. The seriousness of these memory phenomena within criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings warrants training in this area.
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), intellectual and developmental disabilities, confabulation, suggestibility, memory, Miranda rights comprehension issues, sleep disturbances, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, 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.

Social Work Meetup: Getting Creative with Data and Tracking Outcomes
2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-work-meetup-data-2025-03-12/
Data collection in our work is vital for funding, reporting to judges, reports to stakeholders, and expansion of our roles in our offices. What creative data are you measuring, and what outcomes are you tracking (and how)? Come to this discussion to talk about your data collection efforts, highlight your effectiveness and creativity with data, and share your data collection goals! Special Tuesday edition of this meetup!
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.

RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP - March
2025-03-11 13:00 - 14:00
Racial Justice Advocates,
It’s time to march into another RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP!
Tony White will join us again this year and lead a presentation entitled “Ensuring Equitable Access to Treatment and Recovery: The Role of Public Defenders in Connecting Clients with Substance Use Disorder Services.”
Let’s connect and learn together! Meetup flyer, agenda, and speaker bio will be posted on the listserv.
Not on the Racial Justice listserv? Send your request to be added to BGT, DEIJ Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.
See you soon, NAPD!

Defying DNA Results
2025-03-11 14:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/defying-dna-results/
This presentation is an introduction to the basics of serology and DNA analysis, along with specific topics that defense attorneys need to be aware of when defending cases involving this type of evidence.
Sam Spencer is the co-owner and founder of SEP Forensic Consultants, located in Memphis, TN. She has been in the field of DNA analysis since 2009. Beginning her forensic career as a Special Agent Forensic Scientist in the Forensic Biology Unit, Sam processed over 1400 cases for multiple agencies. She has experience with Y-STR analysis, Next-Generation sequencing, Probabilistic Genotyping, and outsourcing lab analysis. She has provided expert testimony for both the prosecution and defense in several jurisdictions, including at the federal level. Sam was also a member of the Violent Crime Response Team, which involved processing and documenting crime scenes for local law enforcement. Sam also has experience working outside of the field of forensics including working as a Molecular Diagnostic Technologist at the Greenwood Genetic Center and a Lead Research at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. An Army brat and native of Clarksville, TN, Sam currently lives in Memphis with her husband of eleven years, two boys, ages 5 and 8, and two dogs.

Investigator Supervisor Meetup: 3-12-2025 - Open Chat
2025-03-12 14:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/82381950121
Supervisors and lead investigators it’s the second Wednesday of the month so let’s chat about how things are in your offices, with your cases and clients.
Join us!

Direct Examination(Presenting an Effective, Compelling, and Persuasive Direct Examination)
2025-03-13 14:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/direct-examination/
Direct Examination is one of the more challenging areas for Defense lawyers to do properly. A Big part of that stems from the fact that we do it very often. Because we do it so often we end up copying Prosecutors who are not good at Direct Examination. In this program we will discuss how to present a compelling, effective, and dynamic cross examination. You will learn different formats for structuring your direct examination as well as ways in which to make it more interesting for your juries.
Andre Vitale (Jersey City, NJ). Andre has served as a public defense lawyer for over 25 years as a trial lawyer, training director, educator, and mentor. He currently works as the First Assistant Deputy Public Defender with the Essex Trial Region of the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. Andre previously served as a Special Assistant Public Defender and Training Director with the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office (Rochester, NY) and as the Assistant Training Director with the King County Department of Public Defense (Seattle, WA). Andre has extensive trial experience taking more than 100 cases to verdict, while handling some of the most complex matters. He has developed an expertise in defending homicide and sex cases, with a proficiency in contesting forensic and other technical evidence, including DNA, fingerprints, CSAAS, and eyewitness identification. Andre authored an article: Fighting Racial Prejudice through Suppression Litigation, which was published in July 2021 edition of the CHAMPION magazine, for the National Association for Criminal Defense’s (NACDL). Andre designed a Defending a Child Sex Case advanced trial skills program, which has been used by Public Defender Offices in Montana, Missouri, New York, and New Jersey. He is a core faculty member with Gideon’s Promise (gideonspromise.org), Harvard Law School’s Criminal Justice Institute Trial Advocacy Workshop (TAW), the Alternate Defense Counsel Trial Skills Program in Denver, Colorado, as well as the Defender’s Academy with the Bronx Defenders. Andre is a frequent presenter for the National Association of Public Defense (publicdefenders.us). Due to his passion and commitment to client–centered representation, Andre has received the Kevin Andersen Award by the New York State Defender’s Association (NYSDA) and the Denison Ray Award by the New York State Bar Association

In From the Margins: Recognizing and Appreciating Clients Narratives within the Family Policing System
2025-03-17 13:00 - 15:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/in-from-the-margins-recognizing-and-appreciating-clients-narratives-within-the-family-policing-system/
Stories matter – within every life, there is an existing narrative of resilience and survival. Acknowledging the life experiences of the clients as they navigate systems of oppression and racism is salient to zealous advocacy. The presentation will address the importance of listening to and appreciating the individual narratives of clients, particularly those critically impacted by the family policing system. Clients often feel they are secondarily victimized by being represented by someone who fails to recognize their humanity and usurps their voice. This lecture will examine the importance of the client’s narrative and how giving voice to the client’s experience can potentially positively impact their case.
Joyce Angela Hounkanrin, Esq. is the founding partner of Hounkanrin Legal Defense Group and works as private counsel for the Children and Family Law Division for the Committee for Public Counsel Services within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As founder ofHounkanrin Legal Defense. Attorney Hounkanrin actively works to deconstruct systems that are seeded in racism and oppression and that have critically impacted the lives of black and brown individuals. This mission is accomplished by purposely serving all clients and recognizing that the liberation of all people is the ultimate call of justice.
Joyce Angela Hounkanrin graduated from Massachusetts School of Law, holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, and is a PhD candidate at Capella University.

Social Work Meetup: Social Worker Supervisor Discussion
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/87354448957
This meetup is for social work supervisors who supervise other social workers, mitigation specialists, dispositional advocates, sentencing advocates, and social work interns in defense-based offices. This week’s discussion will focus on what is your supervisory style. Whether you have it or are still developing it, what supervisory style do you possess or want to embrace, and how are you getting there?
This month’s discussion is hosted by Stephanne Thornton. 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.

NAPD Rise. Resist. Represent. Virtual Conference
2025-03-20 12:30 - 2025-03-21 17:30
Join thousands of public defense professionals from across the nation for the 5th Annual Rise. Resist. Represent. Virtual Conference—a landmark event dedicated to empowering, inspiring, and equipping public defenders to confront the challenges of our time. This year’s conference promises an unparalleled experience with cutting-edge sessions, impactful discussions, and meaningful connections.

Why Attend?
A Conference Built for You
This conference unites attorneys, investigators, social workers, administrative professionals, and more. Whether you’re advocating in court, supporting clients behind the scenes, or championing systemic reform, you’ll find sessions tailored to your unique role and goals.

Expanding Professional Horizons
In recognition of the professional growth opportunities this conference provides, we’re applying for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit in the states listed below allowing you to fulfill your CLE requirements while gaining skills and insights that directly impact your work. CLE tickets are an additional $100 each (no bulk discount) to cover the application and administrative costs. 15-20 of the sessions will be CLE eligible for up to 7 hours of CLE to claim for the conference.
CLE Approved for AZ, CO, IN, MO, NM, NY, OH, WA, WI, TX
Applications Pending in CA, GA, IL, MN, VA
Michigan public defenders and assigned counsel: NAPD events are presumptively approved for credit towards MIDC/Standard 1’s annual training requirements. Please see the MIDC’s website for information about self-reporting and contact information for questions or concerns about attendance including reimbursement. https://michiganidc.gov/cle/

Five Years of Growth and Impact
Since its inception, the Rise. Resist. Represent. conference has brought together thousands of public defenders each year. Over the past five years, it has become a cornerstone event for advancing justice, sparking innovation, and building a community dedicated to public defense.

Accessible and Flexible Learning
We understand the demands of your work, so we’ve designed the conference to fit your schedule. Almost all sessions will be recorded and available on demand, giving you the flexibility to participate live or catch up later.

See the Current Draft of the Program
Pricing (for basic registration not including CLE)

Time Period
Individual
Bulk (5-100)
Bulk (101+)

Before Feb 7
$75
$50
$25

Feb 8 – March 3
$100
$75
$50

March 4 and after
$125
$100
$75

Order Individual TicketsOrder Bulk Tickets

Already have a registration ticket for the conference but now need to add CLE registration?

CLE Only Add On
List of CLE sessions pending approval
🔹 The Science Behind Chapter Method Cross-Examination Larry Steven Pozner
🔹 “I Want to Tell You A Story”: Effective Closing Arguments in Criminal Cases Byron Conway
🔹 Opening Statements Andrea Lyon
🔹 The Automated Fourth Amendment: Policing Technology and Privacy Rights Maneka Sinha
🔹 Legal Writing Tips from Non-legal Writing Sources Ben Miller
🔹 Litigating Racism: Incorporating Race into Legal Argument Bethany Bonsu
🔹 The Psychology of For-Cause Jury Selection Kelson Bohnet
🔹 The Evidence’s Journey: Drug Chemistry for Lawyers Alexander Keane
🔹 Navigating Various Aspects of a Client’s Competency to Stand Shaun R. Huband
🔹 Engaging Media in High-Profile Cases Melissa Rothstein, Natalin Deldalian & Jessie Seyfer
🔹 No Ordinary Time: Pushing Back on Harmful Media Narratives Angela Chang
🔹 The Question Spectrum – Improving Questioning Techniques for Witnesses, Jurors, and Others Michael L. Stout
🔹 “Things I Wish I Knew About Family Court”: Handling Clients with Concurrent Family and Criminal Court Cases Sam Sloane
🔹 Taking Aim at the Trifecta: Challenging Firearms Offenses Post-Bruen/Rahimi Jonathan Roberts
🔹 Breaking Point: Navigating Excessive Caseloads & Seeking Relief Robert C. Boruchowitz & Carlos Martinez
🔹 Making Better Bail Arguments John P. Gross
🔹 Raising Racism: Equal Protection Claims, Racial Justice Acts, and Practical Pointers Josh Raisler Cohn
🔹 A Walk Through the Elusive Resentencing Process Kelly Savage-Rodriguez
🔹 Post-Rahimi Second Amendment Update and Practice Tips Jackson Whetsel
🔹 Manner of Death Testimony and Why It’s NOT Fit for Purpose at the Criminal Trial Allison Lewis
🔹 Building the Battle Plan to Take on Anyone: Defending in and For Youth Competency Hearings Elizabeth Hope Zilberberg
🔹 Look-Back Resentencing: The Forgotten Middle Lisa Waters

Investigating Sex Assault of Children Cases
2025-03-25 14:00 - 16:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigating-sex-assault-of-children-cases/
Handling child sexual assault cases demands a specialized skill set distinct from other types of cases due to the sensitive nature of the material and the involvement of child witnesses. This presentation will offer a comprehensive, in-depth, step-by-step guide on how to approach these cases to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Katherine Mayer is an accomplished criminal justice expert with over 15 years of experience in mitigation and fact investigation across both death and non-death penalty cases. In 2012, Katherine founded Mayer Consulting, a holistic criminal defense consulting firm that specializes in fact investigation, mitigation, and jury consulting. She holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and is a licensed private investigator in the state of Texas.

Social Work Meetup: Open Chat
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | https://publicdefenders-us.zoom.us/j/85605681692
This week’s meetup will be an open chat – open to discuss anything! If you want to highlight one of the great sessions you caught last week at NAPD’s Rise. Resist. Represent. Conference, this is the space for that! If you have questions for the group – the space for that! If you want to bring up a topic to discuss and share – the space for that! Join the discussion where the topics, questions, ideas are driven by you!

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.

Social Worker Meetup: Caseloads and Structure of Mitigation Workers in PD Offices
2025-04-07 13:00 - 14:00 | https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-meetup-caseloads-and-structure-of-mitigation-workers-in-pd-offices/
On a Monday – Special Monday-Meetup! We know that every jurisdiction is different, but we are also aware there is not uniformity in how mitigation work gets done in defense based offices. This discussion will focus on who is doing the mitigation work (social workers, mitigation specialists, behavioral health workers, paralegals, etc.), where (in-office or contracted), and what the referral process and caseloads look like. We will explore and discuss different ethical models that parallel in-office versus contracted work. Join us on a special Monday edition of our meetup!
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.

Racial Justice Meetup - April edition
2025-04-08 13:00 - 14:00
Racial Justice Meetup –
It’s time for the April edition of the RACIAL JUSTICE MEETUP!
Corey Smith, NAPD’s new Wellness Resource Coordinator, will lead this month’s meetup presentation – Income Inequality and Access to Justice! In this meetup, we will explore the intersection of income inequality and access to justice in the United States, examining how historical laws and policies have disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations.
Meetup flyer, speaker bio, and Zoom link will be posted on the racial justice listserv. Not on the Racial Justice listserv? Send your request to be added to BGT, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice (DEIJ) Coordinator, at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us.
Be sure that you don’t miss a Racial Justice Meetup (every second Tuesday of the month), add it to your calendar here.
See you soon, NAPD!
