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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Association for Public Defense
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DTSTART:20260308T070000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260203T184740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T185223Z
UID:10000570-1775743200-1775746800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:The Defender Wellness Collective MeetUp\, Featuring Featuring: Dr. Crystal Currie
DESCRIPTION:Together\, We Are the Culture \nAs we build this community\, remember that culture is not imposed; It is grown. \n“You are essential. You are worth sustaining.” \nYou’re not alone. \nLet’s walk this road together\, building a culture of wellness for everyone in public defense. \n  \nLink the NAPD 10 Principles of Sustainability
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-defender-wellness-collective-meetup-4/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260211T152725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152726Z
UID:10000508-1775664000-1775667600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-2-2/2026-04-08/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T180937Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T134025Z
UID:10000622-1775649600-1775653200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-meetup/2026-04-08/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260406T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260406T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260217T205013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T205039Z
UID:10000617-1775480400-1775484000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Using VPSA Framework For Strategic Communication
DESCRIPTION:Description\nVPSA (Value\, Problem\, Solution\, Action} is a communication framework designed to build persuasive\, values based messages. It’s the primary tool for social justice leaders and communicators to move audiences toward systemic change. \nLearning Objectives\n1. Establish common ground through shared values. \n2. Reframe problems as systemic threats that have opportunities for solutions. \n3. Motivate specific audience action(s). \n  \nPresenter(s)\nDarwin Hamilton is an award winning fifth-generation Austinite\, whose ancestral home\, the historic Dedrick-Hamilton House that has served as office space for the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce and site of the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility.  He is one of the co-founders of the Reentry Advocacy Project (RAP)\nFor over a decade he has been an activist\, advocate\, strategist\, mentor\, leader\, keynote speaker and author of his self-published memoir 25 Years Later: A Sentence from Crime to Redemption\, Resilience\, Advocacy and Leadership.  His memoir offers a rare and urgent perspective on the criminal justice system\, blending raw storytelling with sharp policy insight. His op-eds have been published in the Austin American Statesman and by the ACLU of Texas.\nAs an author and speaker\, he brings lived experience to the table with clarity\, compassion\, and strategic vision\, offering actionable recommendations for change.  Whether addressing policymakers\, practitioners\, or community leaders. He illuminates the path from fear to hope and possibility\, from survival to systemic transformation.\nCurrently he serves on the Oversight Board of Travis County’s Public Defender Office\, National Association of Public Defense Board of Directors\, Trinity University and UTSA Philosophy & Literature Circle.  He is an alumnus of Leadership Austin – Essential program and JustLeadership USA 2018 cohorts.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/using-vpsa-framework-for-strategic-communication/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/using-vpsa-framework-for-strategic-communication/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260403T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260403T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260330T214042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T015544Z
UID:10000629-1775224800-1775228400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Meetup: Cell phone data retrieval and a new free tool to use! W/ Benjamin Van Meter
DESCRIPTION:Cell phone data retrieval and a new free tool to use! W/ Benjamin Van Meter\nThis talk will cover the basics of cellphone data retrieved from phone carriers and how to use a new\, open-source tool we’ve developed to map location data such as a cellphone’s GPS coordinates\, cell tower usage\, and distance from a cell tower. This tool produces visualizations of cellphone location data similar to the maps seen in an FBI CAST report and allows users to easily copy data received in discovery and quickly map it. As we’ll talk about\, this tool has proven very helpful for triage work as attorneys and investigators sort through discovery – comparing this information with other location data of interest (e.g. crime scenes\, surveillance locations\, witness/client residences)\, checking the State’s evidence\, determining the necessity of a forensic expert\, and assessing the feasibility of different defenses. \nBenjamin Van Meter has worked as a trial attorney for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender in Essex County since October 2022 and is also a staff attorney with OPD’s Police Accountability Unit. He previously clerked with Justice Barry Albin of the New Jersey Supreme Court and Judge Kevin McNulty of the New Jersey federal district court. Prior to law school\, he worked for the investigative and cybersecurity company K2 Intelligence where he conducted background checks\, private investigations\, corporate due diligence research\, and anti-money laundering analysis. Ben graduated from Tufts University in 2013 with a BA in Russian and East European Studies and graduated from Cornell Law School in 2020 with a JD in public law.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-cell-phone-data-retrieval-and-a-new-free-tool-to-use-w-benjamin-van-meter/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-cell-phone-data-retrieval-and-a-new-free-tool-to-use-w-benjamin-van-meter/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260402T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260402T143000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260211T222113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T222547Z
UID:10000614-1775134800-1775140200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Leading with Heart and Integrity: Emotional Intelligence and Ethical Leadership in Public Defense
DESCRIPTION:Description\nPublic defenders operate daily in environments that demand empathy\, clarity\, and ethical judgment. This 90-minute interactive webinar\, led by Dr. Pam Love and Dr. Lori James\, explores how emotional intelligence (EI) enhances ethical decision-making and leadership effectiveness. Participants will examine how self-awareness\, self-regulation\, motivation\, empathy\, and social skill—core components of EI—directly influence ethical reasoning\, professional integrity\, and team trust. Attendees will learn strategies to apply The Four Frames along with emotional intelligence to complex ethical dilemmas\, strengthen team cohesion\, and sustain well-being while leading in high-stress environments.\n\n\nNote: The Four Frames of Leadership\, developed by Bolman and Deal\, are mental models (Structural\, Human Resource\, Political\, Symbolic)\n\n\nLearning Objectives\n\nGoal 1: Deepen the understanding of emotional intelligence as a leadership competency.\n\nObjective 1.1: Identify and describe the five domains of emotional intelligence (self-awareness\, self-regulation\, motivation\, empathy\, and social skills).\nObjective 1.2: Explore how emotional intelligence influences leadership effectiveness in public defense settings and how the Four-Frames Model supports the need for us to develop in this area.\n\n\nGoal 2: Strengthen ethical decision-making through emotional intelligence.\n\nObjective 2.1: Examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and ethical reasoning in client advocacy and workplace dynamics.\nObjective 2.2: Apply an ethical decision-making model that integrates emotional intelligence to resolve leadership and client-centered dilemmas.\n\n\nGoal 3: Discuss ways in which emotionally intelligent leadership practices promote equity and resilience.\n\nObjective 3.1: Discuss strategies to manage emotional triggers and promote psychological safety within teams.\nObjective 3.2: Discuss ways in which personal action planning enhances ethical and emotionally intelligent leadership practices in daily defense work.\n\n\n\n\nPresenters\n\nLori James\, Ph.D.\, MSW\, LCSW-C \nLori James\, Ph.D.\, MSW\, LCSW-C is a nationally recognized executive leader\, scholar\, ordained minister\, and sought-after speaker with more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of leadership development\, social justice\, criminal legal reform\, and faith-based advocacy. She currently serves as Executive Director of the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD)\, where she leads a national organization representing more than 27\,000 public defense professionals across the United States and U.S. territories\, advancing equity\, excellence\, and systemic reform in public defense. Dr. James earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (2025). Her dissertation\, Chains of Grace: The Church’s Call to Minister to Previously Incarcerated Individuals\, examines the theological\, pastoral\, and psychosocial responsibilities of the Church in responding to mass incarceration and reentry. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Morgan State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C) and is pursuing a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Tulane University\, focusing on women in executive leadership. A certified John Maxwell Trainer\, Coach\, and Speaker\, Dr. James is also the President and CEO of Expand-NOW\, LLC\, where she provides executive coaching\, leadership development\, organizational consulting\, and faith-informed training to justice-centered organizations nationwide. A recipient of the Gideon Hero Award and recognition as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women (2015\, 2025). Dr. James is widely respected for leading with clarity\, courage\, compassion\, and conviction—consistently advancing dignity\, restoring humanity\, and equipping leaders to serve boldly at the margins.\n\nDr. Pamela Love\nPresident of DP Love Enterprises and founder of the Finishers Network\, who is an internationally renowned speaker\, author\, and coach. With a PhD in social work and a MBA\, Dr. Love has dedicated her career to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their highest potential. She has been on faculty with NAPD for over 5 years.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/leading-with-heart-and-integrity-emotional-intelligence-and-ethical-leadership-in-public-defense/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/leading-with-heart-and-integrity-emotional-intelligence-and-ethical-leadership-in-public-defense/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260401T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260401T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260211T152725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152726Z
UID:10000507-1775059200-1775062800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-2-2/2026-04-01/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260325T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260325T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260211T152725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152726Z
UID:10000506-1774454400-1774458000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-2-2/2026-03-25/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260325T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260325T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260324T125642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T125643Z
UID:10000621-1774440000-1774443600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup
DESCRIPTION:In this social worker meetup (for social workers\, sentencing advocates\, mitigation specialists\, and others in similar roles) we will be talking about if and how (any why\, if so) we write to aggravators. Mitigation exists on its own\, but is developed in response to a case’s aggravators. This responsive approach is not always how we prepare or present mitigation. Are you writing to address and nullify aggravators? Why or why not? We will discuss this and more in our meetup this week! \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-4/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260319
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260321
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20251110T175806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T194813Z
UID:10000470-1773878400-1774051199@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:NAPD Rise. Resist. Represent. 2026
DESCRIPTION:This event has concluded.  If you attended R3\, you are still able to purchase a Certificate of Attendance HERE.  Please be sure to confirm the name and email address of the recipient in the order notes.\nhttps://publicdefenders.us/product/r3-rise-resist-represent-2026/ \n  \n\nThe National Public Defense Virtual Training Event will provide over a dozen topic areas to provide to the wide variety of professions and practice areas in public defense across the country. There will be skills training\, but also opportunities to explore innovations\, systemic litigation\, development research projects – and to network with thousands of colleagues who champion the right to counsel and for the opportunity and dignity of their clients.\nRecordings will be available shortly after the conference. We will be recording at least 90% of the sessions. Those not to be recorded will be noted in the description.\nCheck out the full 2026 Agenda! \nClick here purchase tickets through Eventbrite\n  \nEARLY BIRD PRICING (Before Jan 19\, 2026) \n\n$90 NAPD Member Ticket\n$125 Standard Ticket (non-member)\n$65 each ticket – Bulk purchase of 5-100\n$40 each ticket – Bulk purchase of 101 and above*\n\nJan 19 -March 20\, 2026 \n\n$125 NAPD Member Ticket\n$175 Standard Ticket (non-member)\n$100 each ticket – Bulk purchase of 5-100\n$75 each ticket – Bulk purchase of 101 and above*\n\n*Bulk purchases of over 100 tickets are not supported by Eventbrite. To place a large bulk order\, please contact us at: events@publicdefenders.us \nCheck out some of the past conference schedules: \nR3 Conference 2025 Schedule \nR3 Conference 2024 Schedule \nR3 Conference 2023 Schedule \nR3 Conference 2022 Schedule
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/r3-2026/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260211T152725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152726Z
UID:10000505-1773849600-1773853200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-2-2/2026-03-18/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260316T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260316T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20250826T191306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T174806Z
UID:10000444-1773666000-1773669600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:ADHD and the Criminal Justice System: A Forensic Neuroscience and Neurocriminological Perspective
DESCRIPTION:Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder distinguished by impulsivity\, hyperactivity\, and inattention. Typically emerging during childhood\, these symptoms can persist into adulthood and contribute to social\, occupational\, and behavioral problems. These behavioral problems can include criminal justice-involvement\, as ADHD is disproportionately likely in this context relative to the general population. Further\, the symptoms of ADHD make it difficult to navigate the rules and procedures of the criminal justice system\, from courtroom settings to community supervision. Without accurate assessment and effective treatment\, individuals with ADHD may be at risk for reoffending and long-term criminal justice-involvement. Designed for legal and mental health professionals\, this innovative training introduces the symptoms\, etiology (including prenatal and postnatal neurobiopsychosocial risk factors)\, co-occurring conditions\, and consequences of ADHD. Attendees will learn how to apply key learning objectives during interviews\, screening and assessment\, and interventions. Increased awareness of ADHD’s role in offending has the potential to reduce recidivism\, ensure fairness\, and promote public safety. Cutting-edge research from forensic neuroscience and neurocriminology will be highlighted throughout the training. \n\n\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 firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuroscience and the Law\, Neuropsychology\, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)\, Other Health Disabilities (OHD)\, and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021\, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023\, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently\, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences.Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops\, webinars\, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters\, and recently\, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf\, 2018) with ErvWeinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines\, newspapers\, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/adhd-and-the-criminal-justice-system/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/08/ADHD-and-the-Criminal-Justice-System-U-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/adhd-and-the-criminal-justice-system/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T172209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T184708Z
UID:10000569-1773324000-1773327600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:The Defender Wellness Collective MeetUp\, Featuring: Terri Collins-Green\, LCSW-C
DESCRIPTION:Together\, We Are the Culture \nAs we build this community\, remember that culture is not imposed; It is grown. \n“You are essential. You are worth sustaining.” \nYou’re not alone. \nLet’s walk this road together\, building a culture of wellness for everyone in public defense. \n  \nLink the NAPD 10 Principles of Sustainability
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-defender-wellness-collective-meetup-3/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260211T152725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152726Z
UID:10000504-1773244800-1773248400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-2-2/2026-03-11/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260309T160332Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T160332Z
UID:10000627-1773237600-1773241200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Supervisors - What kind of training do we need?
DESCRIPTION:We will be joined by Amber Kaset to talk about what sort of training as supervisors of our investigative team would be needed and wanted. Just like in A.I. it’s all about the prompting\, so we will provide some ideas and look forward to yours as well. Let’s plan what is needed together! \n\nAmber Kaset is widely recognized for her leadership in criminal defense investigations and investigator training\, with more than 20 years of experience as a private investigator and mitigation specialist. She founded AK Investigations in 2010 after seven years at the Metropolitan Public Defender in Nashville\, where she worked as a criminal defense investigator and interpreter.\nThroughout her career\, Amber has worked on more than 1\,000 cases spanning a broad spectrum of criminal and civil matters. Her experience includes serious felony cases across a wide range of offenses\, including sex crimes\, homicides\, and federal prosecutions\, with work at both the trial and post-conviction levels in capital and non-capital cases. She has participated in numerous death penalty cases across multiple states\, including cases involving foreign nationals from Latin America\, and partners with the Mexican Capital Legal Assistance Program (MCLAP)\, local innocence organizations\, the National Innocence Project\, public defender offices\, and private defense attorneys to support clients facing the most serious charges. \nWhat began as a one-woman practice has grown under Amber’s leadership into a multi-investigator firm with diverse skills and specialties. In addition to casework\, Amber provides investigative services\, training\, and consulting nationwide\, helping defense teams and investigators strengthen case development and elevate investigative standards. She regularly teaches and presents at national conferences and trainings for investigators\, attorneys\, paralegals\, and defense teams\, and has taught investigative practice to law students and other audiences at universities including Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee\, Knoxville. She is known for delivering thoughtful\, high-quality\, defense-centered support tailored to the unique needs of each case.\nAmber is the founder of AK Investigations and the creator of The Investigative Expert Method\, an online training platform for criminal defense investigators and other members of the defense team.\nFor more information\, visitwww.akinvestigations.com andwww.investigativeexpertmethod.com. \nJONATHAN “Jon” LYON is currently the Investigator Resource Coordinator\, past Member Support Coordinator and the national survey investigator for National Association for Public Defense. Since the pandemic he has led roughly 200 meetups for investigators both nationally and internationally. Jon is the president of Lyon Legal Logistics to help attorneys in and out of court with Discovery and technology and has assisted attorneys in multiple federal court jurisdictions (www.lyonlegallogistics.com/). \nHe is also a legal investigator for McClain Investigations. Jon began his investigative background working in a PI firm and then for 12 years for the Office of the State Appellate Defender of Illinois. His primary focus has been on post-conviction death penalty cases. In addition\, Jon worked for LexisNexis as an award-winning national trainer of the Case Map suite of software. He also worked for Lockheed Martin as a contractor supporting government attorneys and investigators with software and electronic discovery support needs. He is a Certified Defense Investigator through DePaul’s Center for Justice in Capital Cases and a Certified Trainer through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. He has taught at the Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College\, Cardoza\, DePaul\, Kent\, Iowa\, and University of Michigan law schools.\nHe has also taught at the National Defense Investigator Associations Annual Conferences\, National Association of Legal Investigators annual conference\, National Association for Public Defense\, The Innocence Project\, NACDL\, Federal Defender’s winning strategies conferences\, Life in the Balance\, American Society of Criminology\, US Army\, Intellenet and numerous state and county public defender conferences. It is not unheard of for Jon to be invited back to conferences. Jon was most recently interviewed on “Public Defenseless” episode #99. Jon is the Creator/Webmaster for the internationally utilized website www.internetsleuth.net.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisors-what-kind-of-training-do-we-need/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisors-what-kind-of-training-do-we-need/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260310T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260310T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T201607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T174854Z
UID:10000600-1773147600-1773151200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:DEIJ/Racial Justice MeetUp featuring Guest Presenter
DESCRIPTION:Details TBA.  Meetup events are exclusive to NAPD members.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/deij-racial-justice-webinar-series/2026-03-10/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/DEI-RJ-Meetup.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260211T152725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152726Z
UID:10000503-1772640000-1772643600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-2-2/2026-03-04/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260226T183207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T183208Z
UID:10000579-1772625600-1772629200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup: A discussion about Specialty Courts
DESCRIPTION:This week’s social worker meetup will explore the roles we play in Specialty Courts (Family Treatment Courts\, Recovery Courts\, Veterans Courts\, etc.) and the roles that Specialty Courts play in diversion and how they may either support or impact the clients with whom we work. Take a look at this blog post from the Prison Policy Initiative that examines some of the problems in specialty courts as these affect the persons involved in these court alternatives\, and we will discuss our experience and ways we may support clients to counteract the problems where possible. \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-3/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260303T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260303T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260206T221515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T155353Z
UID:10000612-1772546400-1772550000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:AI-Powered Discovery to Strategy: Turn Evidence Overload into Winning Defense\, presented by NICE
DESCRIPTION:Juggling growing discovery volumes\, tight deadlines\, and increasingly complex digital evidence? For public defenders\, the burden isn’t just collecting evidence — it’s turning it into a coherent defense. Join us for this webinar on March 3rd\, at 2 PM EST to see how workflow-embedded AI can help you accelerate understanding\, surface critical facts and inconsistencies across evidence\, and move more quickly from discovery to strategy — without compromising client advocacy. \n\nLearn how to:\n\n· Review discovery faster and more accurately by quickly surfacing key facts across large volumes of digital evidence.\n· Create clear\, defensible timelines by linking people\, places\, objects\, and events across evidence sources.\n· Draft motions\, briefs\, and arguments confidently with transparent citations\, verification loops\, and safeguards that preserve your professional judgment.\n· Prepare evidence for disclosure or court with clarity\, completeness\, and confidence.\n· Maintain trust and accountability using critical guardrails — audit trails\, role-based access\, records integrity\, policy alignment\, and AI that operates entirely within your organization’s secure environment.\n\nMove from discovery to strategy faster\, reduce backlogs\, and strengthen client advocacy — without compromising the principles of effective public defense. \nPresenters\nRod Guy\nVice President\, Business Development\nNiCE \nShelly Williams\nDirector of Product Management\nNiCE \nKelsey Kaufman Robinson\nSenior Product Mgr.\nNiCE \n \nPRIVACY NOTICE: This is a presentation from an NAPD sponsor.  Registration is managed directly by NiCE Justice Services.  Completing the registration form will provide your information to a third party. \nwww.nicepublicsafety.com \n\nNiCE is pleased to make available information on products and services that may be of interest to you in your organization or career. 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/nice-justice-solutions/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/02/nice_truth_depends_on_it.png
LOCATION:
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260213T040643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T164857Z
UID:10000615-1772200800-1772204400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator MeetUp: A tool for taking notes and analyzing investigative information\, featuring Paul Chambers
DESCRIPTION:A tool for taking notes and analyzing investigative information.\nDuring an investigation an investigator is expected to make sense of the detail involved. What is important and what is not may rely on the knowledge and experience of the investigator. This presentation will introduce an information processing method which promote a consistent approach to gathering detail which will identify categories of information. This will allow differentiation between evidential and investigative detail. \nIn addition when conducting an interview investigators have the difficult task of having to actively listen\, formulate questions\, and record notes all at the same time. This presentation will describe a note taking system which promotes the recording of detail and accurate processing of that detail. \n  \n  \nPaul Chambers Bio\nPaul Chambers recently retired as Senior Investigator at the Ontario County Public Defender’s Office. He held that post since the creation of the office in 2010. His journey to being part of the criminal legal system in upstate New York is an unusual one.\nJon Lyon – Chicago is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.\nHe began by studying Chemistry at Portsmouth University. While there he interned at a Forensic Science Laboratory for 9 months working on a project to improve detecting explosives on hands to help investigate terrorism \nAfter college he joined Hampshire Constabulary as a police constable.  In 1990 after a nationwide selection process he was transferred for to the Royal Cayman Islands Police in the Caribbean. \nOn his return to Hampshire Police\, he was promoted to sergeant and supervised shifts of officers. He also performed the role of Custody Sergeant\, responsible for the detention and welfare of those brought into custody. \nIn his spare time\, he took a master’s course in Forensic Archeology at Bournemouth University. \nHe moved to the US in July 2001 and in 2003 he became a Medical Investigator at the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. He attended a course at St Louis Medical School and passed the exam to become a board-certified medico-legal death investigator. \nWhile at the Medical Examiner’s Office he put the knowledge gained from his archeology course to good use\, suggesting novel techniques such as Forensic Palynology and Isotope analysis be applied to a cold case. Tammy Jo Alexander \nAfter working in the Medical Examiner’s office\, He transferred to the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office to work as a Public Defender investigator. When the Ontario Public Defender’s office was created in 2010\, he was asked to join them to create their investigation team. During his time there he organized multipletraining courses for investigators from all over NY state. \nTrained in the PEACE framework and interested in the science of interviewing he has continued working with Forensic Interview Solutions and participates in delivering their scenario-based training using the PEACE method of interviewing across the US.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-a-tool-for-taking-notes-and-analyzing-investigative-information-featuring-paul-chambers/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-meetup-a-tool-for-taking-notes-and-analyzing-investigative-information-featuring-paul-chambers/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T182152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T171041Z
UID:10000586-1772114400-1772118000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Supervisor Meetup and Discussion
DESCRIPTION:This meetup for social worker supervisors (supervisors of social workers\, mitigation specialists\, dispositional advocates\, etc. in defense organizations) discusses issues specific to supervision practices and needs. \nKevin Bishop\, LCSW\, is the Social Worker Coordinator for the Colorado Office of Alternate Defense Counsel\nStephanne Thornton\, LICSW\, is the NAPD Social Work Training and Resource Coordinator
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/social-worker-supervisor-meetup-and-discussion/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260127T225012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152644Z
UID:10000502-1772035200-1772038800@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-7/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T194959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T133258Z
UID:10000588-1772024400-1772028000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:DEIJ/Racial Justice Meet Up: "Successful but Unfulfilled" with Dr. Crystal Currie
DESCRIPTION:“Successful but Unfulfilled”\nThis interactive session invites participants to pause\, reflect\, and explore the gap that often exists between professional success and personal fulfillment. While many leaders and professionals achieve external markers of success\, they may still experience a sense that something is missing or misaligned. \nThrough guided reflection and facilitated discussion\, participants will increase their awareness of why traditional measures of success do not always translate into deeper satisfaction and purpose. They will identify areas in their own careers where values\, passions\, or priorities may be out of alignment\, and gain clarity about what truly contributes to their sense of meaning and fulfillment. \nThe session will conclude with practical\, actionable strategies to help participants begin moving toward greater alignment and a more fulfilling professional and personal life—supporting sustainable success that honors both achievement and well-being. \nGoals \n\nIncrease awareness of why professional success doesn’t always lead to personal fulfillment.\nParticipants will identify what feels misaligned or missing in their own careers.\nLearn practical steps to move toward more fulfillment.”\n\n  \nDr. Crystal Currie\n \nDr. Crystal R. Currie is a licensed therapist and leadership consultant with over a decade of experience facilitating trainings and workshops for professionals and community groups. Known for her engaging\, compassionate\, and practical teaching style\, she helps individuals and teams understand how unresolved emotional patterns shape performance\, decision-making\, and relationships. Grounded in clinical practice and research\, her Heal • Become • Lead framework equips leaders and organizations with tools to reduce burnout\, strengthen emotional regulation\, and build human-centered cultures that support sustainable impact.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/deij-racial-justice-meet-up-3/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/Dr.-Crystal-Curry-2-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260127T224636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T152208Z
UID:10000501-1771430400-1771434000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-6/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20251222T160809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T183000Z
UID:10000485-1771430400-1771434000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Harm Reduction and Public Defense
DESCRIPTION:This webinar will provide an overview of harm reduction services and principles\, with particular emphasis on laws protecting harm reduction service providers and users from prosecution and how public defenders can collaborate with their local harm reduction programs to enhance their practice and further assist clients. Participants will leave the course with a better understanding of resources for clients who use drugs and the benefits of collaboration with their local harm reduction programs. \nPresenters will be:\nLeo Beletsky\, Professor of Law and Health Sciences and Director of the Action Lab\, Northeastern School of Law\nMelissa Rothstein\, Senior Legal Fellow\, Action Lab\nSterling Johnson\, Legal Fellow\, Action Lab. \n 
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/harm-reduction-and-public-defense/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/12/Harm-reduction-Webinar.png
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/harm-reduction-and-public-defense/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T181024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T181621Z
UID:10000578-1771416000-1771419600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Social Worker Meetup: Early Mitigation
DESCRIPTION:During this week’s social worker meetup we will talk about how we are using mitigation for early-stage case advocacy\, whether prepetition or predisposition. If we can be called in early to develop mitigation\, our mitigation information can be used in a compelling way by attorneys who seek to reduce charges\, avoid indictment\, and advocate dismissal and release. How are you using early development of mitigation – or how might you if given the chance? \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-2/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T171845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T152959Z
UID:10000568-1770904800-1770908400@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:The Defender Wellness Collective MeetUp\, Featuring: Anthony Williams
DESCRIPTION:Featuring Anthony Williams\, CEO of Mindwell.co (click to learn more about Anthony) .  \n\n\nAnthony will join us to share his perspectives on wellness and community resilience and to answer questions from the group.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nANTHONY WILLIAMS\n\n\nFounder and Practitioner \n\n\nAnthony has been a provider of individual and group holistic health programs for more than 24 years. Fluent in four languages\, and informed by his studies and work in Africa\, Asia\, and Europe\, he has developed a teaching process that leverages universal best practices drawn from the wisdom of a variety of human experiences. \nClients have included notable musicians such as Sting and Rick James\, professional athletes Vernon Davis and Osamu Abe\, executives from Nike\, Google\, and Intuit\, doctors and health care providers\, social workers\, and incarcerated youth and adults.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-defender-wellness-collective-meetup-2/
CATEGORIES:Meetup
LOCATION:https://publicdefenders.us/event/the-defender-wellness-collective-meetup-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260127T224340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T151705Z
UID:10000500-1770825600-1770829200@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Policy and Legislative Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This 60-minute virtual gathering is designed as a practical\, working session—not a webinar. Together\, we will:\n\nWorkshop active campaigns involving statutes\, rules\, budget advocacy\, and administrative reforms.\nExchange model bill language\, fiscal notes\, one-pagers\, and testimony templates.\nCoordinate strategy on messaging\, media engagement\, coalition building\, and storytelling from impacted communities.\nNavigate ethics constraints\, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) boundaries and public-sector limitations.\nTranslate courtroom experience and client narratives into persuasive\, data-informed advocacy.\nShare tools for rapid-response efforts during moments of crisis or legislative rollback.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/policy-and-legislative-meet-up-5/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T160000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260206T160802Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T191043Z
UID:10000611-1770822000-1770825600@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Investigator Supervisor Meetup: Promoting Within- "Friends Supervising Friends"
DESCRIPTION:Navigating the shift from colleague to supervisor can be challenging\, often filled with uncertainty and concerns about relationship dynamics. This mini session will focus on balancing professionalism with existing connections to foster fairness\, consistent treatment\, and open communication. \nLaTorya Blackwell has over 23 years’ experience working with the public defender community. A native of North Carolina\, LaTorya is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and completed the Criminal Investigation Certificate Program (CICP) at the North Carolina Justice Academy. Since January 2014\, she has been working as an investigator for the Federal Public Defender Office in the Western District of North Carolina. As of December 2022\, she was promoted to be the Legal Chief/Chief Investigator within the office. Before transitioning to the Federal Public Defenders office\, she was an investigator at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office in\nCharlotte\, North Carolina for a decade. Prior to that\, her background includes working closely with the Department of Juvenile Justice and local area Mental Health as a residential treatment counselor for at risk youth. LaTorya has facilitated the Paralegal and Investigator Skills Workshop sponsored by Defender Services Training Division and most recently served as faculty at the Federal Defender Investigator and Paralegal Seminar\, the Race in the Federal Court Conference\, and several virtual training sessions.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/investigator-supervisor-meetup-promoting-within-friends-supervising-friends/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2025/04/Events-Icons-webinar-1-edited-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260210T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260210T140000
DTSTAMP:20260403T183814
CREATED:20260128T201735Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T133025Z
UID:10000599-1770728400-1770732000@publicdefenders.us
SUMMARY:Discussing My Book Chapter: Race Theories\, Anti-Racism\, and Applications for Health with Dr. Sharon Duncan-Jones
DESCRIPTION:Discussing My Book Chapter: Race Theories\, Anti-Racism\, and Applications for Health.\nWhen we know what harms and what heals\, neutrality becomes a choice—and justice becomes a responsibility.\n \nPresented by Dr. Sharon Duncan-Jones (Eversley)  \nMy chapter\, Race Theories\, Antiracism\, and Applications for Health\, in The Oxford Handbook of Health and Society\, powerfully reframes race as a social\, political\, and policy-constructed exposure with measurable health consequences—and calls for antiracist accountability in science\, policy\, and practice. \nThe three (3) goals for the NAPD’s Racial Justice / DEIJ Virtual Session on February 10\, 2026: \nGoal 1: Reframe Race as a Determinant of Exposure—Not Biology\nParticipants will gain clarity on how race operates as a social classification system embedded in law\, policy\, institutions\, and practice\, rather than a biological risk factor—reshaping how health inequities are understood and addressed. \nGoal 2: Equip Participants With Antiracist Analytical Tools\nParticipants will learn how race theories\, antiracism\, social epidemiology\, and legal epidemiology can be applied to:\nIdentify harmful policies and practices\nExpose structural drivers of illness and premature death\nShift from deficit-based narratives to accountability-based solutions \nGoal 3: Inspire Justice-Centered Action Across Disciplines\nParticipants will leave empowered to apply antiracist frameworks in their own roles—whether as scholars\, practitioners\, advocates\, policymakers\, faith leaders\, or community members—recognizing that justice is a public health intervention. \n  \nWebinars are offered free to members and $50 for non-members.
URL:https://publicdefenders.us/event/deij-racial-justice-webinar-series-2/
LOCATION:Virtual\, Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Meetup
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://publicdefenders.us/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-Headshot-Dr.-Sharon.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR