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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Association for Public Defense
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260115T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260115T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251211T205201Z
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UID:10000482-1768489200-1768492800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Celebrate Gideon's Anniversary with a Concert for Indigent Defense
DESCRIPTION:Join us to learn how you and your office can very easily create an impactful and energizing Gideon Day with a Concert for Indigent Defense in your region.\n\nThis webinar will explain the simple steps for easily and successfully presenting a Concerts for Indigent Defense in your jurisdiction in March 2026\, to defend the constitutional right to counsel:\n\nThrough your defender staff\, identify a local band that would call their mid-March show a Concert for Indigent Defense\nPublicize the show\, issues\, and musicians through legal\, mainstream\, music\, and social media\nInvite your team to join the celebration!\n\n\nHear from defenders from across the country about how they successfully presented a Concert for Indigent Defense in their jurisdictions\, and secured valuable media support for the right to counsel. And how you can get all the support you might want to make it work for your office\, too.\n\n\nStephen Saloom\, Founder and longtime organizer of Concerts for Indigent Defense\nLindsey Hortenstine\, Communications Director\, Orleans Public Defenders\nTaylor Critchell\, Colorado Defender\, Band Member\, and Concert for Indigent Defense presenter\nAnd more…
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/celebrate-gideons-anniversary-concert/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/12/Concert-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/celebrate-gideons-anniversary-concert/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
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:20260113T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260113T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251202T202128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T230839Z
UID:10000476-1768312800-1768316400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Permission to Pause: The Guilt-Free Guide to Self-Care and Making You a Priority
DESCRIPTION:Public Defense isn’t just a job\, it’s a calling. But constantly showing up for clients\, colleagues\, and the mission can leave you running on empty\, disconnected from your own needs\, and feeling like there’s no end in sight. Now add in family responsibilities\, and it’s a wonder you can breathe. This training recognizes that your well-being is not optional; it’s essential. I know\, I was a Public Defender for 17+ years. \n\n\n\nIn this session\, you’ll discover practical\, realistic ways to carve out time for yourself—even when your schedule never lets up. You’ll learn how to reclaim short pockets of time\, protect them from interruptions\, and use them in ways that actually restore your energy\, focus\, and resilience. The truth is\, you don’t need hours—just 15 minutes a day can make a real difference when you know how to use it well. \n\n\nYou’ll walk away with:\n Clear\, actionable strategies for protecting time for self-care\n Learning to carve out those pockets of time in even the busiest days\n Tools to make your 15-minute resets meaningful and restorative\n The confidence to prioritize yourself all without guilt or hesitation\n\n Practices for treating yourself with self-compassion \n\n\n\nThis training meets you where you are\, in the reality of high stakes\, heavy workloads\, and back-to-back responsibilities. Because you give so much\, it’s time to give some of that care back to yourself. \n\n\nYou matter. Your energy matters. And you are worth the time it takes to care for yourself.\n\nMarie Sennett\, certified yoga teacher and transitional life coach\, works 1:1 with her clients designing a yoga and meditation plan tailored to their needs for a healthy body and mind\, making them absolutely ready to Live their Dream Retirement.\n\nA yoga practitioner since 1997\, Marie struggled as a busy civil rights lawyer and Public Defender for decades to make the time needed to make her body strong and flexible and her mind relaxed and focused so she could be ready to live the dream retirement she always wanted. She became a yoga teacher to assist her clients in making that transformation to their Dream Retirement.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/permission-to-pause-the-guilt-free-guide-to-self-care-and-making-you-a-priority/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/12/Permission-pause-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/permission-to-pause-the-guilt-free-guide-to-self-care-and-making-you-a-priority/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260112T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260112T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250707T163023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T193135Z
UID:10000346-1768222800-1768226400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): A Call on Clinical Behavioral Health
DESCRIPTION:Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) (e.g.\, household dysfunction\, abuse\, neglect\, witnessing violence in the home or community) are traumatic events occurring prior to the age of 18 and are related to long-term negative cognitive\, developmental\, behavioral\, social\, and physical health outcomes. Designed for professionals working in clinical behavioral health\, criminal justice\, forensic psychological\, and legal\, this training provides attendees with an overview of the ACEs research and its implications for justice-involved populations\, and screening\, intake\, intervention\, supervision\, and management. This includes a review of practical tips\, strategies\, and solutions that can be utilized when working with clients impacted by various types of adverse childhood experiences. Other relevant topics of interest discussed include prenatal trauma\, maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adverse birth outcomes\, complex and developmental trauma\, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)\, complex PTSD (CPTSD)\, toxic stress\, alexithymia\, mentalization deficits\, attachment problems\, executive functioning limitations\, sleep disturbances\, self-regulation problems\, theory of mind (ToM) limitations\, language development issues\, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation\, suicidality\, shame\, empathy\, resilience\, and trauma informed care strategies. All aforementioned discussions are grounded in empirical research findings. \nJerrod 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 is also the founder and co-editor-in-chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST). 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\, sleep disturbances\, serious and persistent mental health disorders\, 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 Medical Biochemistry\, Exercise Prescription\, Neuroscience and the Law\, Neuropsychology\, Dyslexia\, 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 also holds a wide range of professional certifications and has completed several comprehensive training programs. 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 previously 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 and has appeared in two documentaries related to the topic of FASD. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces-a-call-on-clinical-behavioral-health/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Adverse-Childhood-Experiences-ACEs-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces-a-call-on-clinical-behavioral-health/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260109T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260109T163000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251203T171133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T151949Z
UID:10000478-1767970800-1767976200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:The National Workload Study – Driving Public Defense Reform
DESCRIPTION:This 90-minute webinar will review recent litigation and other developments in the wake of the publication of the National Public Defense Workload Study (NPDWS). \nLeading experts and practitioners from different jurisdictions will share their experiences and insights\, demonstrating how the workload study  is being used to advocate for systemic change\, establish constitutionally sound staffing levels\, and ensure effective assistance of counsel. \nKey Topics and Speakers:\nToby Marshall: Discussing a Washington appellate case involving declaration of unavailability and state supreme court caseload standards. \nSteve Hanlon: Reviewing the landmark workload study and its implications in Oregon\, including a recent case regarding the constitutionality of state contract provisions. \nMalia Brink: Examining how various jurisdictions are utilizing the study’s findings to push for reform. \nAnthony Benedetti: Discussing the practical impact of systemic changes on public defender workloads in Massachusetts.\nThe presentations will be followed by an extended Q&A and discussion session\, moderated by Nora Christenson (Criminal Defense Representation Chief at the New York State Office of\nIndigent Legal Services (ILS)\, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers on strategies for workload management and securing resource parity. This is an essential session for public defenders\, policymakers\, and advocates committed to guaranteeing the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-national-workload-study-driving-public-defense-reform/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/12/Workloads-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-national-workload-study-driving-public-defense-reform/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251218T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251218T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251212T183241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251213T043832Z
UID:10000483-1766066400-1766070000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Supervisors Discussion Meetup
DESCRIPTION:This meetup is for the supervisors who supervise social workers\, mitigation specialists\, dispositional advocates\, sentencing advocates\, etc. The supervisors meetup and discussion will continue the conversation this month focusing on middle managers and influence as supervisors. \nStephanne Thornton is the NAPD Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator\, and Kevin Bishop is the Social Worker Coordinator for the Colorado Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisors-discussion-meetup-3/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/09/SW-Supervisors-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisors-discussion-meetup-3/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251218T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251218T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251212T230318Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T230318Z
UID:10000484-1766059200-1766062800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Thursday Social Worker Meetup: Support and Advocacy for Noncitizen Clients
DESCRIPTION:On this special Thursday Social Worker Meetup (for social workers\, mitigation specialists\, dispositional advocates\, sentencing advocates\, and others in similar roles) we will talk about the ways we can emotionally provide support and tangibly provide advocacy and link to resources noncitizen clients who are being stigmatized and targeted by virtue of their citizenship status and intersection with the criminal legal system. This meetup will also offer a space for us to share the difficulties and heartache that we may be experiencing from bearing witness to these harms to our clients. \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/thursday-social-worker-meetup-support-and-advocacy-for-noncitizen-clients/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/12/SW-Meetup-Noncitizen.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/thursday-social-worker-meetup-support-and-advocacy-for-noncitizen-clients/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251216T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251216T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250812T161317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T144629Z
UID:10000435-1765886400-1765890000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Reconceptualizing Preservation of the Right to Self-Defense in Jury Trials
DESCRIPTION:The right to self-defense is one of the oldest and most universal concepts in Anglo-American criminal law and criminal procedure. Nonetheless\, trial judges across the country are being absolved of erroneously denying the accused’s valid request for a substantiated self-defense jury instruction based on personal opinions\, prejudices\, and biases about the credibility of the accused’s case. \nAnjali Pathmanathan\, visiting lecturer and former public defender\, studied this phenomenon and wrote a law review article\, “Directing Unconstitutional Verdicts: Discussing Strategies to Combat When Judges Become Jurors on Self-Defense.”  She came to the conclusion that these trial judges are essentially directing verdicts of guilt against the accused. So what can trial counsel do to combat this practice and stop trial judges from usurping the jury’s role in this unconstitutional manner? \nThis webinar will offer a reconceptualization of how trial counsel can argue and preserve their client’s right to the jury’s consideration of their self-defense claim\, while\, hopefully paving the pathway for more fair jury trials and\, if needed\, subsequent appeals. \nREGISTER to attend this informative and advocacy-focused NAPD webinar.  Registration is free for NAPD members. \nAnjali Pathmanathan is a Visiting Lecturer in Law\, Criminal Legal System Advocacy Fellow\, and Associate Research Scholar in Law at Yale Law School. Prior to joining Yale\, she was an Assistant Professor of Legal Writing at St. John’s University School of Law and an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Law at Brooklyn Law School. \nBefore she began teaching\, Pathmanathan was a Senior Appellate Counsel for the Center for Appellate Litigation\, where she represented incarcerated individuals in all aspects of their direct appeals and post-conviction claims before the New York State courts. She also previously served as a Program Associate for the former Center on Immigration & Justice at the Vera Institute of Justice\, after beginning her legal career as a Staff Attorney for the Criminal Defense Practice of the Legal Aid Society of New York. \nAs an experienced public defender\, her scholarship focuses on issues related to due process and the criminal legal system\, and has been published in the Georgia Criminal Law Review\, International Criminal Law Review\, The Harbinger of The N.Y.U. Review of Law & Social Change\, and the New York Law Journal. \nShe holds a J.D. from Boston College Law School and a B.A. from New York University.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/self-defense-in-jury-trials/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/08/Reconceptualizing-Preservation-of-Self-Defense.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/self-defense-in-jury-trials/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251215T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251215T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250701T192837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T152643Z
UID:10000341-1765803600-1765807200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Intrafamilial Homicide: A Neurocriminological and Forensic Psychological Perspective
DESCRIPTION:Family or domestic homicide is an extreme form of domestic violence where a household member or significant other is murdered. Intrafamilial homicides can take several different forms\, including the murder of newborns\, infants\, siblings\, children\, parents\, significant others\, or other family members. Motivations for acts of intrafamilial homicide vary by the nature of the relationship between the perpetrator and victim (e.g.\, spouse-spouse\, parent-child\, or child-parent) and a host of other factors. Survivors impacted by these events are left to suffer grave consequences\, including serious trauma and the loss of a loved one. We understand the profound effects these traumatic events have on individuals\, families\, communities\, and professional organizational settings. Our goal is to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to help better understand and hopefully prevent these tragedies from occurring in the future.\n\nThis training course aims to provide attendees with an understanding of the different manifestations of family homicide as well as its causes\, consequences\, and risk factors. Intervention\, screening\, and prevention strategies will also be explored. Other topics explored in this training will include adverse life experiences\, attachment problems\, abnormal brain structures and chemistry\, blood sugar imbalances\, central nervous system dysfunction\, unhealthy nutritional practices\, HPA axis dysfunction (a system that controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes)\, psychiatric comorbidity\, substance misuse\, stalking\, rumination\, dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics\, possessiveness\, estrangement\, coercive control\, brain injury\, strangulation\, abrupt life changes (e.g.\, job loss)\, self-regulation deficits\, victim-offender dynamics\, executive dysfunction\, self-destructive behaviors\, and humiliation to name a few. Research findings from the fields of neurocriminology and forensic psychology will also be used throughout this training to further enhance our understanding of these complex topics.\n\n\nJerrod 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 is also the founder and co-editor-in-chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers\, professionals\, and organizations pertaining to topics related to family violence\, autism spectrum disorder (ASD)\, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)\, intellectual and developmental disabilities\, confabulation\, suggestibility\, sleep disturbances\, serious and persistent mental health disorders\, 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 Medical Biochemistry\, Exercise Prescription\, Neuroscience and the Law\, Neuropsychology\, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)\, Other Health Disabilities (OHD)\, Dyslexia\, 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 also holds a wide range of professional certifications and has completed several comprehensive training programs. 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 previously 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 and has appeared in two documentaries related to the topic of FASD. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/intrafamilial-homicide-a-neurocriminological-and-forensic-psychological-perspective/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Intrafamilial-Homicide-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/intrafamilial-homicide-a-neurocriminological-and-forensic-psychological-perspective/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251215T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251217T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250414T134831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T154453Z
UID:10000297-1765789200-1765976400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:We the Defenders 2025 (Social Work Track)
DESCRIPTION:Registration Deadline: We’re in the holiday spirit so we’ve extended registration to December 5th at 5:00 pm! That’s the absolute last day\, though! If you register after the original deadline (11/24)\, we can’t guarantee you’ll receive a shirt\, though!\nThis registration page is for the SW track only – if you want to register for the other track go here) \nThis December 15 – 17\, 2025\, in Indianapolis\, Indiana\, NAPD will bring together the pivotal workers in defense-based systems. “We the Defenders” is the essential conference for public defense investigators\, mitigation specialists\, social workers\, paralegals\, and other core staff – all roles except attorneys – who play a critical role in defense-based work. Social workers\, mitigation specialists\, dispositional advocates\, and others in similar roles will have a separate track focused on case development to hone your skills\, enhance your expertise\, and provide you tools for professional development – this is the registration page for social workers\, mitigation specialists\, dispositional advocates\, etc. \nPricing before September 8\, 2025   $595 NAPD Members\, $695 Non Members \nPricing September 9 and beyond  $645 NAPD Members\, $745 Non Members \n  \nNeed help with this registration process?  Watch this video.   \nRoom block for $133 plus taxes and fees at Indianapolis Marriott Downtown\, 350 West Maryland Street\, Indianapolis\, IN 46255.  Click here to book room by December 5th! \nWe know you may need to convince someone else to approve you joining us.   Check out our Convince Your Boss Resources for a sample letter and other information. \nClick here for the Agenda!\nPlenary Speaker: Daryl Green\n\nhttps://people.com/darryl-green-deep-forgiveness-man-forgave-brothers-killer-exclusive-7506937\nRead more about Daryl here: https://www.deepforgiveness.com/bio \nPlenary Speaker: Eddie Ellis\n \nRead more about Eddie here: https://cfsy.org/meet-the-team/ \nPlenary Speaker: Cynthia Roseberry\nRead more about Cynthia here: https: //www.aclu.org/bio/cynthia-w-roseberry \n  \nFrom past participants: \nThe NAPD “We The Defenders” conference is a “Must Attend Event!” I’ve attended twice (Indianapolis 2017 & Albuquerque 2023)\, and each time I walk away with new resources\, new ideas\, new contacts and a renewed sense of enthusiasm to share what I learned with co-workers and excited to implement knowledge gained to better assist my clients! It’s inspiring to meet others who are also “TEAM DEFENSE!” We stand together and make our voices heard! \n‘WTD’ has ignited a fire in me to be more actively involved overall. I certainly want to attend everything NAPD has to offer. Until the next time I attend\, I will take advantage of any opportunities provided to increase my knowledge in mitigation to better serve our people. Learning never stops in my book! Thank you NAPD for this feeling of empowerment. \nMy first NAPD conference and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I returned to work inspired and rejuvenated – I didn’t even realize I needed rejuvenating. It was wonderful to be in a sea of professionals who do the same work I do. I felt seen and heard\, especially when discussing some of the challenges we face. It was a wonderful conference\, and I am happy I went.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/we-the-defenders-2025-social-work-track/
LOCATION:Indianapolis Government Center South\, 302 W Washington St\, Indianapolis\, IN\, 46204\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/04/WTD-SWTrack-In-Person-Conference.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251215T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251217T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250414T132829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T183618Z
UID:10000298-1765789200-1765976400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:We the Defenders (for all but the social work track)
DESCRIPTION:Registration Deadline: We’re in the holiday spirit so we’ve extended registration to December 5th at 5:00 pm! That’s the absolute last day\, though! If you register after the original deadline (11/24)\, we can’t guarantee you’ll receive a shirt\, though!\n  \nThis registration page is not for  the SW track only – if you want to register for the SW track go here \nThis December 15 – 17\, 2025\, in Indianapolis\, Indiana\, NAPD will bring together the pivotal workers in defense-based systems. “We the Defenders” is the essential conference for public defense investigators\, mitigation specialists\, social workers\, paralegals\, and other core staff – all roles except attorneys – who play a critical role in defense-based work. Social workers\, mitigation specialists\, dispositional advocates\, and others in similar roles will have a separate track focused on case development to hone your skills\, enhance your expertise\, and provide you tools for professional development (this registration page is not for the social worker\, etc. track – use the social work registration page instead).  This is a celebration of the diversity\, skill\, and dedication that you bring to the public defense community and an acknowledgment that every member of the team is vital. \nPricing before September 8\, 2025   $595 NAPD Members\, $695 Non Members \nPricing September 9 and beyond  $645 NAPD Members\, $745 Non Members \n  \nRoom block for $133 plus taxes and fees at Indianapolis Marriott Downtown\, 350 West Maryland Street\, Indianapolis\, IN 46255.  Click here to book room no later than December 5! \nNeed help with this registration process?  Watch this video.   \nWe know you may need to convince someone else to approve you joining us.   Check out our Convince Your Boss Resources for a sample letter and other information. \nClick here for the Agenda!\nPlenary Speaker: Daryl Green\n\nhttps://people.com/darryl-green-deep-forgiveness-man-forgave-brothers-killer-exclusive-7506937\nRead more about him here: https://www.deepforgiveness.com/bio \nPlenary Speaker: Eddie Ellis\n \nRead more about Eddie here: https://cfsy.org/meet-the-team/ \nPlenary Speaker: Cynthia Roseberry\nRead more about Cynthia here: https: //www.aclu.org/bio/cynthia-w-roseberry \n  \nFrom past participants \nThe NAPD “We The Defenders” conference is a “Must Attend Event!” I’ve attended twice (Indianapolis 2017 & Albuquerque 2023)\, and each time I walk away with new resources\, new ideas\, new contacts and a renewed sense of enthusiasm to share what I learned with co-workers and excited to implement knowledge gained to better assist my clients! It’s inspiring to meet others who are also “TEAM DEFENSE!” We stand together and make our voices heard! \n‘WTD’ has ignited a fire in me to be more actively involved overall. I certainly want to attend everything NAPD has to offer. Until the next time I attend\, I will take advantage of any opportunities provided to increase my knowledge in mitigation to better serve our people. Learning never stops in my book! Thank you NAPD for this feeling of empowerment. \nMy first NAPD conference and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I returned to work inspired and rejuvenated – I didn’t even realize I needed rejuvenating. It was wonderful to be in a sea of professionals who do the same work I do. I felt seen and heard\, especially when discussing some of the challenges we face. It was a wonderful conference\, and I am happy I went.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/we-the-defenders-for-all-but-the-social-work-track-2/
LOCATION:Indianapolis Government Center South\, 302 W Washington St\, Indianapolis\, IN\, 46204\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/09/WTD-Not-SW-In-Person-Conference.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20240503T150109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T211338Z
UID:10000157-1765548000-1765551600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup: Last one of the year! - Open Chat
DESCRIPTION:It’s our last meetup of the year\, Let’s chat about whatever is on your minds\, your cases\, and your lives.  It last one of the year\, let’s end the year together in a lively chat! \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-inv-12-12-25/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/09/Inv-MU-Open-chat-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-inv-12-12-25/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T163000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251108T171412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T214112Z
UID:10000467-1765465200-1765470600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Fearless Advocacy: Representing Noncitizens in IMMIGRATION Court
DESCRIPTION:NOTE: NAPD membership is NOT required to attend. To create a free account to purchase a ticket please go to: https://publicdefenders.us/create-account/ \nThe ongoing attacks on the rule of law and threat of criminal charges against defense lawyers fulfilling their ethical and constitutional duties to represent their noncitizen clients are intended to chill zealous representation. This webinar will educate attorneys about where the legal boundaries lie and how to navigate challenging situations\, empowering you to continue your advocacy with confidence. Our expert panelists will explore real-world scenarios and offer practical guidance on how to protect yourself while zealously representing your noncitizen clients. \nKara Hartzler is a senior appellate attorney at the Federal Defenders of San Diego\, Inc.  Prior to joining the Federal Defenders\, she served as the Legal Director and Criminal Immigration Consultant at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Arizona. She has written numerous books and articles on the intersection between criminal and immigration law; served as an adjunct immigration professor; litigated hundreds of immigration and criminal appeals before the Ninth Circuit; and testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration on the detention and deportation of citizens and other due process violations in the immigration system. \nStephanie Alvarez-Jones\, Southeast Regional Attorney\, National Immigration Project \nJennifer Friedman\, Deputy Public Defender\, San Francisco Public Defender\, Immigration Defense Unit \nJordan Pollock is currently the Specialized Unit Chief at the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office\, supervising the Appellate\, Actual Innocence\, Capital Punishment and Immigration units. Before taking on this role\, Ms. Pollock was an Immigration Specialist and Supervisor of the\nImmigration Unit of the Dallas Public Defender’s office\, where she has worked since 2014. Among other duties\, Ms. Pollock advises both public defenders and appointed attorneys of the immigration consequences of the criminal charges against non-citizen clients. Ms. Pollock also\nserves as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M Law School\, where she teaches a course in “crimmigration\,” and is vice chair of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s immigration committee. Previously\, Ms. Pollock was an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Public Counsel in Los\nAngeles\, where she instituted a Legal Orientation Program at two Orange County detention centers and represented detained immigrants in removal proceedings. She received her J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. with honors from Duke\nUniversity.  Before law school\, Ms. Pollock was an accredited representative at the New York Legal Assistance Group\, where she represented clients in affirmative immigration matters. \nModerator:\nStacy Taeuber is an attorney with the Oregon Justice Resource Center Immigration Project\, where she advises Oregon public defenders regarding the immigration consequences faced by their noncitizen clients. Previously\, she was an immigration resource attorney for the Washington Defender Association\, where she worked with defenders and other stakeholders to address the immigration consequences faced by noncitizens accused of crimes. She has over 25 years of experience as an immigrant rights advocate; she has practiced in Florida\, Arizona\, New York\, Minnesota\, and Wisconsin\, and has argued cases before the Arizona and Wisconsin Supreme Courts\, the Seventh Circuit\, and federal district courts. She spent two years as a public defender in Arizona and was a contract defender in Wisconsin. Stacy founded the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School and served as its director for four years and was a visiting clinical professor in the University of Minnesota Law School’s Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic for two years. Stacy received her B.A. in Spanish from Earlham College and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law School. stacy@taeuberlaw.com. \nWendy Wayne\nWendy Wayne is an immigration policy consultant and founder of South End Strategies LLC. She is a nationally recognized expert on enforcement policy\, legal representation programs and the interplay of immigration and criminal law. Wendy provides strategic guidance to nonprofit\nimmigration organizations\, designs and develops programs that increase access to justice and advises criminal defense and racial justice organizations on the impacts of immigration policy. Wendy is the former Director of the Immigration Impact Unit at the Committee for Public\nCounsel Services (CPCS)\, the Massachusetts public defender agency\, where she provided comprehensive training and advice to court-appointed attorneys throughout Massachusetts and engaged in systemic litigation on issues regarding immigration enforcement. She is a frequent\nspeaker at state and national conferences. Prior to becoming an immigration expert\, Wendy was a trial attorney at CPCS\, representing individuals charged with serious felonies. Wendy is the former Chair of the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration and\ncurrently serves as a Special Advisor. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)’s National ICE Liaison and Removal Defense Committees. She previously served on the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council Task Force on Secure\nCommunities\, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. \nJodi Ziesemer is the Policy Director for Immigration Emergency Response at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) where she serves as a resource for NYLAG and partners organizations to summarize and digest changes to federal immigration policy and practice and engages in community-center advocacy on a local\, state\, and national level. Prior to joining NYLAG\, Jodi was a supervision attorney at Catholic Charities in their Unaccompanied Minors Program. In that position\, Jodi coordinated representation of recently arrived unaccompanied immigrant children and oversaw a team of attorneys who provide services to immigrant youth detained with the Office of Refugee Resettlement. In addition\, she has worked for the past ten years representing a wide variety of immigrants in front of Executive Office of Immigration Review (Immigration Court) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Prior to graduating summa cum laude from New York Law School\, Jodi worked as a Board of Immigration Appeals representative for the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago and as a paralegal at Fitzgerald and Company\, LLC in Boston. During her more than twenty years in immigration law\, Jodi has worked on a range of projects including anti-human trafficking initiatives\, naturalization drives\, pro bono asylum clinics\, innovative representation projects for unaccompanied minors and victims of violent crime. Jodi holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Grinnell College and a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a J.D. from New York Law School. Jodi served an adjunct professor at St. John’s University and she co-authored an article for the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal entitled\, “The Right to Have Rights: Loss of Citizenship\, Asylum\, and Constitutional Principles.” (Vol 30\, No 3\, Spring 2016).
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/fearless-advocacy-representing-non-citizens-in-immigration-court/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/11/Fearless-Immigration-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/fearless-advocacy-representing-non-citizens-in-immigration-court/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251210T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251210T163000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251108T171706Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T201740Z
UID:10000468-1765378800-1765384200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Fearless Advocacy: Representing Non-Citizens in CRIMINAL Court
DESCRIPTION:NOTE: NAPD membership is NOT required to attend. To create a free account to purchase a ticket please go to: https://publicdefenders.us/create-account/ \nThe ongoing attacks on the rule of law and threat of criminal charges against defense lawyers fulfilling their ethical and constitutional duties to represent their noncitizen clients are intended to chill zealous representation. This webinar will educate attorneys about where the legal boundaries lie and how to navigate challenging situations\, empowering you to continue your advocacy with confidence. Our expert panelists will explore real-world scenarios and offer practical guidance on how to protect yourself while zealously representing your noncitizen clients. \nKara Hartzler is a senior appellate attorney at the Federal Defenders of San Diego\, Inc.  Prior to joining the Federal Defenders\, she served as the Legal Director and Criminal Immigration Consultant at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Arizona. She has written numerous books and articles on the intersection between criminal and immigration law; served as an adjunct immigration professor; litigated hundreds of immigration and criminal appeals before the Ninth Circuit; and testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration on the detention and deportation of citizens and other due process violations in the immigration system. \nStephanie Alvarez-Jones\, Southeast Regional Attorney\, National Immigration Project \nJennifer Friedman\, Deputy Public Defender\, San Francisco Public Defender\, Immigration Defense Unit \nJordan Pollock is currently the Specialized Unit Chief at the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office\, supervising the Appellate\, Actual Innocence\, Capital Punishment and Immigration units. Before taking on this role\, Ms. Pollock was an Immigration Specialist and Supervisor of the\nImmigration Unit of the Dallas Public Defender’s office\, where she has worked since 2014. Among other duties\, Ms. Pollock advises both public defenders and appointed attorneys of the immigration consequences of the criminal charges against non-citizen clients. Ms. Pollock also\nserves as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M Law School\, where she teaches a course in “crimmigration\,” and is vice chair of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s immigration committee. Previously\, Ms. Pollock was an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Public Counsel in Los\nAngeles\, where she instituted a Legal Orientation Program at two Orange County detention centers and represented detained immigrants in removal proceedings. She received her J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. with honors from Duke\nUniversity.  Before law school\, Ms. Pollock was an accredited representative at the New York Legal Assistance Group\, where she represented clients in affirmative immigration matters. \nModerator:\nStacy Taeuber is an attorney with the Oregon Justice Resource Center Immigration Project\, where she advises Oregon public defenders regarding the immigration consequences faced by their noncitizen clients. Previously\, she was an immigration resource attorney for the Washington Defender Association\, where she worked with defenders and other stakeholders to address the immigration consequences faced by noncitizens accused of crimes. She has over 25 years of experience as an immigrant rights advocate; she has practiced in Florida\, Arizona\, New York\, Minnesota\, and Wisconsin\, and has argued cases before the Arizona and Wisconsin Supreme Courts\, the Seventh Circuit\, and federal district courts. She spent two years as a public defender in Arizona and was a contract defender in Wisconsin. Stacy founded the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School and served as its director for four years and was a visiting clinical professor in the University of Minnesota Law School’s Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic for two years. Stacy received her B.A. in Spanish from Earlham College and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law School. stacy@taeuberlaw.com.\n \nWendy Wayne\nWendy Wayne is an immigration policy consultant and founder of South End Strategies LLC. She is a nationally recognized expert on enforcement policy\, legal representation programs and the interplay of immigration and criminal law. Wendy provides strategic guidance to nonprofit\nimmigration organizations\, designs and develops programs that increase access to justice and advises criminal defense and racial justice organizations on the impacts of immigration policy. Wendy is the former Director of the Immigration Impact Unit at the Committee for Public\nCounsel Services (CPCS)\, the Massachusetts public defender agency\, where she provided comprehensive training and advice to court-appointed attorneys throughout Massachusetts and engaged in systemic litigation on issues regarding immigration enforcement. She is a frequent\nspeaker at state and national conferences. Prior to becoming an immigration expert\, Wendy was a trial attorney at CPCS\, representing individuals charged with serious felonies. Wendy is the former Chair of the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration and\ncurrently serves as a Special Advisor. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)’s National ICE Liaison and Removal Defense Committees. She previously served on the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council Task Force on Secure\nCommunities\, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/fearless-advocacy-representing-non-citizens-in-criminal-court/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/11/non-citizens-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/fearless-advocacy-representing-non-citizens-in-criminal-court/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251210T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251210T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251208T200750Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T201819Z
UID:10000479-1765375200-1765378800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Supervisor Meetup - Open Chat - 2:00 ET\, 1:00 CT\, 12:00 MT\, 11:00 PT - LAST 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! \nLAST ONE OF THE YEAR!
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-open-chat-200-et-100-ct-1200-mt-1100-pt-last-one-of-the-year/
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-open-chat-200-et-100-ct-1200-mt-1100-pt-last-one-of-the-year/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251203T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251203T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251117T144356Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T160439Z
UID:10000473-1764763200-1764766800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup: Advocating when Cognitive Deficits Exist
DESCRIPTION:During this social worker meetup we will discuss ways that\, as mitigation specialists and social workers (not psychologists)\, we identify reading and learning comprehension deficits in clients and use that knowledge in mitigation development and advocacy\, whether related to comprehension of Miranda\, probation conditions\, or other terms and conditions of court involvement. What questions do you ask during the client meeting that may shed light on leaning deficits\, and what experts do you consult with to discuss comprehension of Miranda or probation terms? These and other aspects will be discussed. \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-supervisor-meetup-discussion/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/11/SWMeetup-advocating.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-meetup-discussion/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251201T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251201T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250718T225333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T193217Z
UID:10000413-1764594000-1764597600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Forensic Neuroscience: A Call on Criminal Justice\, Forensic Mental Health
DESCRIPTION:Forensic Neuroscience: A Call on Criminal Justice\, Forensic Mental Health\, and Legal Professionals to Become Informed \nAt the nexus of neuroscience\, criminology\, psychology\, and the law\, forensic neuroscience is the innovative subfield focused on better understanding the role of neural mechanisms (e.g.\, brain structure and function) in problematic and antisocial behaviors. Specifically\, professionals working in this interdisciplinary field apply knowledge and methodologies from neuroscience and related disciplines to elucidate the causes of criminality and other concerning behaviors as well as to better understand the complexities of complex human behavior\, head injury\, memory\, deception\, and much more. Work in this field has important implications for criminal justice\, forensic mental health\, and legal decisions related to competency\, culpability\, sentencing\, supervision\, management\, and prevention. Further\, forensic neuroscience can help inform intake\, screening and assessment\, risk management\, individualized care planning\, treatment decisions\, and rehabilitation strategies. Developed for professionals working in criminal justice\, forensic mental health\, and legal settings\, this innovative training provides attendees with: (a) a working knowledge of forensic neuroscience research and (b) a framework for applying a forensic neuroscience-informed lens and perspective to the intake\, interviewing\, screening\, and treatment of forensic-based and justice-involved clients. This training is particularly relevant to professionals working with high-risk populations\, including:\n\n\nCriminal and civil defendants\n\n\nClients supervised under community supervision (i.e.\, probation and parole)\n\n\nClients in court-ordered treatment and civil commitment\n\n\nJuvenile justice-involved populations\n\n\nClients with dark personality traits (e.g.\, psychopathy and callous-unemotional traits)\n\n\nClients with substance use disorders\n\n\nSpecific offender subtypes (e.g.\, sexual offending\, domestic violence\, firesetting\, or repeated DUIs)\n\n\nTreatment-resistant clients\n\n\nJerrod 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 fire setting. 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)\, Dyslexia\, 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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/forensic-neuroscience-a-call-on-criminal-justice-forensic-mental-health/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Forensic-neuroscience-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/forensic-neuroscience-a-call-on-criminal-justice-forensic-mental-health/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250903T034923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251120T190038Z
UID:10000339-1763638200-1763735400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:2025 NAPD Women's Virtual Conference: We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For
DESCRIPTION:CEU APPROVAL: This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886791803-8026) for 6 continuing education contact hours. Please check your state requirements for continuing education credits to ensure you are eligible per your Board. To order a CEU certificate\, click HERE. \nLATE REGISTRANTS: To join the WVC25 conference as a late registrant after the program has begun on 11/20 or 11/21\, please click HERE. \n  \nThis November\, we once again gather for advocacy\, encouragement\, empowerment\, training workshops\, development\, networking\, and renewal. \nWe gather for community. We gather to support. \nThis powerful conference is filled with workshops\, self-care events\, networking\, celebration and much\, much more. We will acquire knowledge\, obtain resources\, and make connections that will elevate you to reach your professional and personal goals. \nThis November\, we gather for sisterhood. \nThis event invites speakers who have been historically marginalized by age\, gender\, race\, ethnicity\, religion\, disability\, sexual orientation\, sexual identity\, education\, national origin\, or any other distinguishing characteristic or trait. The goal of this event is to uplift marginalized perspectives within the public defense community. \nThis gathering is for all individuals\, in all job titles\, and practitioners who work or support public defense: attorneys\, paralegals\, core staff\, social workers\, trainers\, policy advocates\, and more. We also encourage and invite law students to join us. NAPD is committed to creating an event in a safe space that brings inspiration and transformation to persons of all gender identities\, and for this event\, we will specifically amplify female\, non-binary\, and/or gender non-conforming voices in public defense. \nFocus areas returning this year: \n\nProfessional Growth & Leadership – sessions that help participants develop their leadership voice or facilitating professional/personal growth\nWell-Being and Self-Care – sessions that prioritize wellness and self care within the public defense community\nRepresenting Women\, Families\, Children – sessions that center around the circumstances\, challenges\, and celebrations of representing women\, families and children\nIntersectionality and Connecting Our Stories – sessions amplifying when our voices are marginalized in the communities we serve\nWomen and Racial Justice – sessions centering around the pursuit of racial justice and equality\n\nTicket Prices \n$100 each for 1-9 attendees\n$75 each bulk for 10-25\n$50 each bulk for 26-100\n$35 each bulk for 101+ \nRegular ticket sales have closed\, but late registrants can register at the link in red above.  CEU certificates also remain available through the link above.  If you are interested in purchasing a ticket to attend the conference after the start time of the event or have any other questions\,  please contact events@publicdefenders.us\n  \nHere’s the 2025 Schedule\n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/2025-womens-conf/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/09/RFP-Themes-VWC-24-Graphic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251117T161833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T164206Z
UID:10000474-1763557200-1763560800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Supervisor Discussion Meetup
DESCRIPTION:This Meetup is for Supervisors of social workers\, mitigation specialists\, sentencing advocates\, dispositional specialists\, and others in similar roles. This is a discussion for supervisors and the topic will be a continuation of last month’s meetup discussion. \nStephanne Thornton\, Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator\, and Kevin Bishop\, Social Work Coordinator with the Alternate Defense Counsel of Colorado
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-discussion-meetup-2/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/09/SW-Supervisors-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-discussion-meetup-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251029T160934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T140550Z
UID:10000466-1763470800-1763474400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:MEETUP MASHUP  - DEIJ & Racial Justice
DESCRIPTION:DEIJ & Racial Justice Meetups \n\n\nJoin us at this November 2025 Meetup Mashup at 1 p.m. (est) /  12 p.m. (cst) / 11 a.m. (mt)/ 10 a.m. (pst) .  Meetup materials and Zoom link will be sent via the listserv. \n\n\n\nSee you soon! \n\n\n\n\n  \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/meetup-mashup/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250530T214427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T171019Z
UID:10000324-1763470800-1763474400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Chronic Health Problems Among Justice-Involved Individuals: Causes\, Consequences\, and Solutions
DESCRIPTION:Justice-involved individuals are more likely than the general population to experience chronic health problems (e.g.\, obesity-related health problems\, type 2 diabetes\, respiratory diseases\, and chronic pain). These conditions usually last for prolonged durations and require ongoing medical treatment. Further\, chronic health problems frequently have high comorbidity rates with mental health issues (e.g.\, depression and trauma) and behavioral problems (e.g.\, substance use). When these conditions go unrecognized or untreated\, affected individuals often struggle to maintain employment\, care for themselves\, navigate the criminal justice system\, reenter society\, and comply with the conditions of community supervision (i.e.\, probation and parole). This innovative training is designed to increase awareness about chronic health problems and their consequences in criminal justice settings. Attendees will learn about the causes\, risk factors\, and common co-occurring conditions for chronic health problems including cognitive deficits (e.g.\, executive dysfunction)\, dietary practices\, food insecurity\, mental health problems (e.g.\, alexithymia\, anxiety\, and depression)\, sedentary behaviors\, sleep problems\, social isolation\, stress\, substance misuse\, traumatic brain injuries\, and other pre-existing conditions. The training will conclude by identifying multidisciplinary\, holistic\, integrative\, and health-promoting screening\, intake\, intervention\, and treatment approaches that can help address the nuanced physical\, cognitive\, and behavioral health needs of justice-involved individuals. Empirically based research findings are highlighted throughout this training. \nJerrod 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 is also the founder and co-editor-in-chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST). 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\, sleep disturbances\, serious and persistent mental health disorders\, 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 Medical Biochemistry\, Exercise Prescription\, Dyslexia\, 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 also holds a wide range of professional certifications and has completed several comprehensive training programs. 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 previously 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 and has appeared in two documentaries related to the topic of FASD. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/chronic-health-problems-among-justice-involved-individuals/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/05/Chronic-health-Webinar-1.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/chronic-health-problems-among-justice-involved-individuals/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251110T185659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T185908Z
UID:10000472-1763128800-1763132400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup: -Open Chat
DESCRIPTION:This Friday  we will be having an open chat for our meetup.  What are your challenges for your position\, within your office\, your client or just want to run an idea past your fellow investigators throughout the country\, come join us! \nSee you at 2:00 EST 1:00 CST 12:00 MST 11:00 TODAY! \n\n\n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-11-14-2025/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/09/Inv-MU-Open-chat-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-11-14-2025/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251006T221910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T175434Z
UID:10000460-1762956000-1762959600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Supervisor Meetup - Evaluations
DESCRIPTION:Hi  investigators in a supervisory role\, \nit’s the second Wednesday of the month \, how do we do write evaluations now that we are the boss? How do give feedback without offending and yet\, get them to where they need to be? Let’s chat on how your office handles this process\, what forms you use\, and how does it effect your investigator’s paycheck too. \nSee you Wednesday – 2:00 ET\, 1:00 CT\, 12:00 MT\, 11:00 PT \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-evals-2025-11-12/
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-evals-2025-11-12/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251027T214122Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T214122Z
UID:10000465-1762948800-1762952400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup: Team Representation
DESCRIPTION:Mitigation specialists\, dispositional advisors\, sentencing advocates\, social workers\, and others in similar roles are part of the defense team. However\, it is not always clear in all offices or on all teams what role we can or should play on the team. The value and range of skills we can add to the team’s representation is sometimes hidden within our teams and offices; how can we shine a light on our talents and establish our expertise as a valuable member of the team? How can we enhance collaboration across the team in the process? This meetup will discuss these topics and source some ideas from the group to discuss how we are connecting\, collaborating\, and shining our lights on our skills! \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/team-representation/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/10/Team-representation-SW-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/team-representation/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251105T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251105T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250821T175647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T180804Z
UID:10000441-1762351200-1762354800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Blind Spots: Seeing the Bias that Hurts our Clients
DESCRIPTION:This dynamic and client-centered webinar explores how implicit bias shapes the daily practice of criminal defense. From jury selection to client communication\, attorneys make high-stakes decisions influenced by unconscious assumptions. Using research\, real-life examples\, humor\, and strategy\, this presentation gives lawyers and nonlawyers practical tools to recognize and interrupt bias-without shame or defensiveness. Teaching Goals . . . To define implicit bias and explain how it differs from racism and prejudice To identify ways bias can affect clients\, jurors\, and witnesses during representation To apply practical strategies to reduce bias in courtroom decision making and advocacy. \n Kenneth Hardin\nKenneth is the founding Executive Director of Harris County’s first Managed Assigned Counsel (MAC) Office in Houston\, Texas. As the former MAC Director\, Kenneth led an office that managed the appointment process and provided holistic services for attorneys qualified to accept misdemeanor appointments in the third largest county in the nation. Prior to his appointment\, Kenneth practiced at both the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in Houston\, TX and his “home” office of the Orleans Public Defender’s Office in New Orleans\, LA. Being born and raised Louisiana\, he received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) before graduating law school from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston\, Texas.  Kenneth has handled and tried several cases over his career including but not limited to drug\, burglary\, robbery\, murder\, and rape cases. Kenneth is also very active on increasing community awareness regarding the negative implications of mass incarceration. Kenneth was featured on BET’s “the DA versus Black America” in 2016 as well “60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper” in 2017 discussing the impact of underfunded public defender offices.  In 2018\, Kenneth co-hosted a full day seminar for the NFL and New Orleans Saints on oppression in the criminal justice system and the challenges that public defenders have in changing the narrative.  Kenneth is licensed to practice law in Texas\, Louisiana\, and in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Additionally\, Kenneth is recurring faculty for the Harvard Trial Advocacy Program (in Cambridge\, Massachusetts)\, a graduate and recurring faculty at Gideon’s Promise (in Atlanta\, Georgia)\, a former board member for Gideon’s Promise\, a graduate of National Criminal Defense College\, a graduate of the Louisiana Defender Training Institute\, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. In 2019\, Kenneth was the recipient of the Stephen B. Bright Public Defender Award—a national award given annually in recognition to attorneys on their contribution to improving the quality of indigent defense.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/blind-spots-seeing-the-bias-that-hurts-our-clients/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/08/Blind-spots-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/blind-spots-seeing-the-bias-that-hurts-our-clients/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251024T174132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251024T174132Z
UID:10000464-1761739200-1761742800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup: Mitigation Addressing the Over-Representation of People Experiencing Poverty
DESCRIPTION:We know that people experiencing poverty are over represented in the criminal legal system because we see these individuals in indigent defense. There is a cost to the legal system that exacerbates poverty and unfairly punishes those who are unable to meet their most basic needs. During this meetup we will discuss ways that we can advocate against the collateral impact the legal system has on people experiencing poverty\, how – through mitigation – we can help the Court better understand the individual and reduce collateral consequences\, how we can utilize and broker resources to support basic needs for individuals who are under resourced. \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-mitigation-addressing-the-over-representation-of-people-experiencing-poverty/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/10/SW-Meetup-Poverty.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-meetup-mitigation-addressing-the-over-representation-of-people-experiencing-poverty/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251027
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20260127T195739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T195739Z
UID:10000494-1761555600-1761825600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Racial Justice Conference 2026
DESCRIPTION:Save the Date: November 2-4th\, 2026 in Montgomery\, Alabama\nRegistration to open summer 2026. \n\n  \nJoin the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) for the seventh annual Racial Justice Conference (“RJC”)\, as we return to Montgomery\, Alabama\, one of the historic homes of the Civil Rights Movement. NAPD is proud to host this immersive and transformative conference\, designed to enhance your understanding of racial justice and your ability to fight for it in your work as a public defense professional. \nFeaturing highly respected speakers from across the nation\, RJC is an unparalleled opportunity to explore three key areas that impact our pursuit of justice for clients of color. \nFirst\, we will examine how we\, as individuals\, approach race and how we can work to overcome our own biases and preconceptions. \nSecond\, we will explore how public defender offices address race in their workplaces\, and how we can create policies and practices that promote racial equity and fairness. \nFinally\, we will delve into effective strategies for challenging racial bias and discrimination wherever we encounter it. \nThrough a range of educational opportunities\, you will gain the tools and insights needed to be a more effective advocate for racial justice in your work as a public defense professional. You will also have opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the country who share your commitment to advancing the cause of justice for all. \nClick here to view last year’s Racial Justice Conference 2025 schedule! \nRJC Includes Visits to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Sites\nRJC also includes visits to the Equal Justice Initiative’s The Legacy Museum\, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice\, and the new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. \n  \n  \n  \nCONVINCE YOUR BOSS\nNeed some help convincing your boss? Review and use our Convince Your Boss Resources. There\, we provide a sample letter and other information to assist you in convincing your office to approve your RJC attendance.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/racial-justice-conference-2026/
LOCATION:Renaissance Montgomery Hotel\, 201 TALLAPOOSA STREET\, MONTGOMERY\, AL\, 36104\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person Conference
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251027T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251030T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250310T143557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T144334Z
UID:10000294-1761555600-1761825600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Racial Justice Conference 2025
DESCRIPTION:Registration for the RJC is now closed! We can’t wait for you to #MeetUsInMontgomery!\n\n\nCLE Certificates now available.  If you’ve already purchased your ticket to the conference\, click here to purchase the CLE add-on.\n\n \nJoin the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) for the sixth annual Racial Justice Conference (“RJC”)\, as we return to Montgomery\, Alabama\, one of the historic homes of the Civil Rights Movement. NAPD is proud to host this immersive and transformative conference\, designed to enhance your understanding of racial justice and your ability to fight for it in your work as a public defense professional. \nFeaturing highly respected speakers from across the nation\, RJC is an unparalleled opportunity to explore three key areas that impact our pursuit of justice for clients of color. \nFirst\, we will examine how we\, as individuals\, approach race and how we can work to overcome our own biases and preconceptions. \nSecond\, we will explore how public defender offices address race in their workplaces\, and how we can create policies and practices that promote racial equity and fairness. \nFinally\, we will delve into effective strategies for challenging racial bias and discrimination wherever we encounter it. \nThrough a range of educational opportunities\, you will gain the tools and insights needed to be a more effective advocate for racial justice in your work as a public defense professional. You will also have opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the country who share your commitment to advancing the cause of justice for all. \nClick here to view the Racial Justice Conference schedule! \nRJC Includes Visits to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Sites\nRJC also includes visits to the Equal Justice Initiative’s The Legacy Museum\, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice\, and the new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. \n___________________________________________________________________________________\n  \n \nNew Exclusive Evening Keynote & Awards Event Available: Rooted to Rise Above\nDon’t miss this exclusive event featuring Bryan Stevenson as the Keynote Speaker.\n\nThis year\, we are offering a limited premium registration that includes access to an exclusive evening keynote and awards event. Rooted to Rise Above is an evening ceremony that honors and uplifts the practice of holistic public defense\, recognizing individuals and teams who exemplify client-centered\, comprehensive advocacy. \nSpace is ultra-limited for this event. Secure your premium registration NOW! \nWe are  SO excited for this! You do not want to miss this!  \nNeed to purchase a ticket to just for the Keynote Address & Awards Ceremony?  Want to upgrade your standard registration to a premium ticket? Grab your ticket here or email us. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n \nBe sure to review NAPD’s Event Policies to learn more about our attendance and cancellation policies. \n  \nBOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM WITH OUR ROOM BLOCK\nOur room block is at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. \nClick here to book your room. \nWe have a limited number of rooms. Please book early to ensure you get the best rate. \nThe last day to book using our room block is Wednesday\, October 1\, 2025. \n  \nCONVINCE YOUR BOSS\nNeed some help convincing your boss? Review and use our Convince Your Boss Resources. There\, we provide a sample letter and other information to assist you in convincing your office to approve your RJC attendance. \n\nSPONSORSHIP & DONATION OPPORTUNITIES\nInterested in being a Sponsor? Contact us to discuss sponsorship opportunities. \nWould you like to donate to our RJC scholarships? Donate to support scholarships for this conference here. Leave a comment\, “RJC\,” to apply it to this conference. \nThis years R.E.A.L. scholarship winners are here: R.E.A.L. Scholarship winners \nMORE QUESTIONS\nWe will be happy to assist you! Contact us here with your inquiry. \n  \n  \n* Ticket availability may be further restricted based on overall conference registration. Both the standalone and upgrade ticket options may expire at any time as standalone tickets or upgrading depends on ticket availability.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/racial-justice-conference-2025/
LOCATION:Renaissance Montgomery Hotel\, 201 TALLAPOOSA STREET\, MONTGOMERY\, AL\, 36104\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/03/RJC25-Graphics-BGTedits-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20251020T180456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T184837Z
UID:10000462-1761314400-1761318000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup 10-24-2025 - Open Chat
DESCRIPTION:This Friday we will be having an open chat for our meetup. What are your challenges for your position\, within your office\, your client or just want to run an idea past your fellow investigators throughout the country\, come join us! Our meeting time is: 2:00 ET\, 1:00 CT\, 12:00 MT\, 11:00 PT
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-10-24-2025-open-chat/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/09/Inv-MU-Open-chat-Meetup.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-10-24-2025-open-chat/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251023T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251023T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T014012
CREATED:20250731T210202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T152310Z
UID:10000429-1761224400-1761228000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Antiracist Expert Evidence: An Exploration of Racism
DESCRIPTION:Antiracist Expert Evidence: An Exploration of Racism & Its Relevance in Criminal Defense Litigation\nDemonstrating the influence of racism is vital to the practice of criminal defense\, yet many attorneys do not know how to prove racism in court. Visiting Assistant Professor Asees Bhasin\, Esq. and Professor Jasmine Gonzales Rose\, Esq. surveyed over seven hundred criminal-defense attorneys across the United States\, and nearly half had never heard of expert witnesses testifying or submitting written reports on racism—what we call “antiracist expert evidence.” This finding would be unremarkable if such experts were unhelpful\, but nearly ninety percent of surveyed attorneys expected that antiracist expert evidence would benefit their criminal-defense practices. \nIn this webinar\, they will present the findings of the article\, Antiracist Expert Evidence\, published in the Yale Law Journal in 2025. This article conceptualizes\, categorizes\, and instantiates six different expressions\, manifestations\, or mechanisms of racism relevant to criminal defense: (1) racist affiliations and views; (2) racist language\, sounds\, and imagery; (3) racial stereotypes; (4) racial disparities; (5) implicit racial bias; and (6) the impact of racism on health and behavior. It also analyzes survey results showing criminal-defense attorneys’ levels of familiarity with antiracist expert evidence\, their perceptions of its utility\, and the barriers they anticipate to its introduction. This article then examines these barriers and identifies means of overcoming them. \nThis webinar will cover all of these facets and facilitate a discussion about the use of such evidence in criminal defense practice. You don’t want to miss it! \nQuestions and concerns? Contact BGT\, Webinar Lead\, with any questions and/or concerns at Brittanygt@publicdefenders.us. \n\nProfessor Jasmine Gonzales Rose is a leading evidence scholar whose work examines how race\, language\, and racism shape legal proof and influence who can serve as factfinders in the justice system. Rooted in critical race studies and drawing from epistemology and sociolinguistics\, her research explores and reimagines evidence law to enhance fairness\, accuracy\, and equity. \nShe is Professor of Law and an award-winning teacher at Boston University School of Law\, where she currently teaches Evidence\, Criminal Law\, and LatinXs and the Law\, and previously served as Associate Dean for Equity\, Justice\, and Engagement. Before joining Boston University\, she taught for nearly a decade at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. \nA graduate of Harvard Law School\, Professor Gonzales Rose clerked for Judge Damon J. Keith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Judge Héctor M. Laffitte of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. She serves on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on Evidence Law and has led antiracist legal policy initiatives both within academia and the broader community. \nShe has served on the boards of the American Civil Liberties Union of Greater Pittsburgh and the Abolitionist Law Center\, the latter founded by her former students. \nAsees Bhasin is a visiting assistant professor of law and Donald Gaines Murray Fellow. She teaches in the first-year Lawyering Program. Her research focuses on critical evidence law\, race and the law\, reproductive justice\, and the intersections between these fields. She is particularly curious about how seemingly neutral rules of procedure contribute to the marginalization of people and communities along race and gender lines. \nPreviously\, Professor Bhasin worked at Boston University\, where her research focused on the rules of evidence\, and the use of expert witnesses to prove racism in criminal trials. Before that\, she was a senior research fellow at the Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy at Yale University where she researched and wrote on health law and racism. She began her legal career as a Georgetown Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellow at the National Partnership for Women & Families in Washington\, D.C. where her advocacy was centered on reproductive rights\, and maternal and infant health. \nProfessor Bhasin’s scholarship has appeared or is forthcoming in the Yale Law Journal\, the Indiana Health Law Review\, the North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology\, and the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal. She received a joint JD-LLB degree from Georgetown University Law Center and King’s College London. She was born and raised in New Delhi\, India.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/antiracist-expert-evidence-an-exploration-of-racism/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/07/Antiracist-Expert-Evidence-2.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/antiracist-expert-evidence-an-exploration-of-racism/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR