BPDA Summer Conferences
For the first time, the Black Public Defender Association (BPDA) Annual Conference is standing on its own—our space to gather, learn, and build power. This isn’t just another conference. It’s a chance for Black defenders and ally defenders committed to racial equity to connect, sharpen their advocacy, and recharge for the fight ahead.
Now more than ever, we must resist and rise with purpose. This conference is about showing up for Black defenders—creating space for support, growth, and connection—while also challenging all defenders, including investigators, attorneys, social workers, and other public defender staff, to strengthen their advocacy for clients and push back against a system that harms everyone who moves through it. This conference is built by defenders, for defenders, with three dynamic tracks designed to strengthen your advocacy, leadership, and impact:
- Advancing Your Advocacy – Hone skills, craft compelling narratives, integrate race-conscious strategies, and sustain yourself in this work through wellness and resilience.
- Elevating Your Leadership – Build culturally responsive leadership, navigate challenges unique to Black defenders, and push for change within your office and beyond.
- Expanding Your Impact – Use strategic storytelling, education, and grassroots movements to shift narratives, influence systems, and drive change beyond the courtroom.
Expect sessions that challenge, inspire, and equip you to be an even stronger advocate. A sample of what’s in store:
- Keynote Address by Philip Lewis, Deputy Editor at HuffPost and President of the Washington Association of Black Journalists
- The Power of Storytelling: Transforming Public Defense Through Narrative Advocacy
- Movement Lawyering Training Intensive
- Bearing the Weight: Vicarious Trauma and Resilience for Black Women in Criminal Defense
- Just Juries: Balancing the scales of the jury box
And that’s just a glimpse. Join us for an experience that will inspire, challenge, and recharge you—as we build the foundation for a stronger, more racially conscious public defense movement—together.
- Early Registration – March 18 – April 18, 2025: $750
- Regular Registration – April 19 – May 19, 2025: $850
- Late Registration – May 20 – June 19, 2025: $950
If your office is already a CAP participant or is interested in joining for the upcoming year, visit our Collective Access Program page or contact membership@
Cancellation Policy
You will receive a full refund if cancelled within two weeks of purchase. After two weeks, you may request a credit, minus a $75 administrative fee. The credit may be used for a future NLADA or BPDA conference for up to a year. We cannot accept cancellations for refund or credit within two weeks of an event, however, you may transfer your registration to another individual.
Subject to change
Thursday, June 19
11:30 AM – 12:45 PM: Registration, Lunch, and Networking
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM: Opening Plenary
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Concurrent Sessions
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Reclaiming Joy: A Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 20
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration, Breakfast, and Networking
9:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Concurrent Sessions
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Concurrent Sessions
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch on your own
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Concurrent Sessions
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM: Concurrent Sessions
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM: Concurrent Sessions
Saturday, June 21
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM: Breakfast and Networking
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Concurrent Sessions
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Closing Plenary – Keynote Speaker, Philip Lewis
Some of the BPDA Conference presenters include:
Christian Snow
Executive Director at Law For Black Lives
Christian Snow is a long-time resident of Chicago’s west side. Snow obtained her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. Snow most recently worked at the Illinois Justice Project (“ILJP”) as a program director. There, Snow focused on organizing policy advocates, state leaders, community-based organizations and grassroots organizers to develop and implement a shared state-wide policy agenda and strategic plan to end criminalization and incarceration and to support safe and thriving communities. Prior to ILJP, Snow worked as an Associate Attorney at the People’s Law Office. Snow’s work there focused on assisting with civil rights cases involving police brutality and misconduct. Additionally, Snow was first an adult member, and then the Executive Director of Assata’s Daughters, a Chicago grassroots abolitionist organization.
Phillip Lewis
Deputy Editor at HuffPost
President, Washington Association of Black Journalists
As a deputy editor at HuffPost, Phil Lewis is one of the most prominent digital journalists in the country. In an age where misinformation reigns, hundreds of thousands view Lewis as a “Reliable and Trusted Voice for Black News,” the “Anderson Cooper of Black Twitter,” and is highly regarded as a valued source for breaking news. He reaches millions of people through his own social media platforms. He covered the 2024 presidential campaign, the White House and national issues relating to social justice. His reporting on Vice President Kamala Harris’ policy proposals aimed at Black men sparked heated debate. Lewis plays an integral role in our media’s landscape, which tends to ignore stories impacting the Black community.
Lewis is a highly decorated mid-career journalist. He was named 2023 AAMBC Editor of the Year, his weekly newsletter has won two awards, he won a 2021 National Headliner Award for his reporting on Black voters in South Carolina, and he was a 2017 recipient of the prestigious Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Club.
Lewis is also heavily involved in his community. He serves as the president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists. He is also past co-coordinator of the Urban Journalism Workshop, where he taught local high school students about the fundamentals of journalism. He travels across the country for speaking engagements on the state of journalism; most recently hosting a panel on disinformation in Sacramento and another in New York City.
Lori James
Executive Director, National Association for Public Defense (NAPD)
Lori earned her master’s Degree in clinical social work (University of Maryland SSW) and her B.A. in Social Work from Morgan State University. Lori has over 25 years of clinical, training, and organizational development experience, which includes program development, program management, collegiate instruction, as well as, leadership and management training. Lori has served as faculty for several universities, and as a member of national and regional leadership, development, communication, and team-building trainings. Lori is also President of Expand-Now, LLC, through this entity she can fulfill her lifelong passion of adding value to others through teaching and learning. She is a part-time Clinical Professor in the Family Studies and Community Development Department at Towson University. Prior to joining the Towson University family, she served as Director of Leadership and Program Development at Maryland Office of Public Defender which has more than 800 employees across the state of Maryland. While in this position, she demonstrated her ability to help others grow in the areas of teamwork, leadership and management. She also led the agency’s social work staff, consultants, and interns. In 2015, The Daily Record Newspaper named her as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. In addition to working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is also an author, and John Maxwell Certified Coach, Facilitator, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker.
Porsha-Shaf’on Venable, Esq.
Deputy Director, The Juror Project
Born, raised and still residing in the Bronx, Porsha-Shaf’on received her J.D. from California Western School of Law and her MSW from New York University School of Social Work. She initially worked at Bronx Defenders as a Forensic Social Worker. During Law school, she then returned to Bronx Defenders as a Law Clerk and after Law school, she was a Staff Attorney in the criminal defense practice, the Adolescent Defense Project and a Team Leader. In 2017, she joined the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem as a Staff Attorney. In October 2017, she returned to the Bronx Defenders for the fourth time in her career. She is currently a Supervising Attorney.
Porsha-Shaf’on has facilitated many conversations and conducted trainings on showing up as your Blackest self in the courtroom, cross examination, jury selection and jury nullification at public defense agencies across the country like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Black Public Defenders Association, the National Association of Public Defenders, and the National Council (FREEHER).While few people get excited about jury duty, Porsha-Shaf’on believes community members are missing an opportunity: jury duty is not only a unique and give civic right, it’s a quiet but important lever for change in our legal system. More than training on the importance of sitting on a jury, Porsha-Shaf’on is obsessed with making jury nullification the next big thing–a power that all jurors have and should be encouraged to use.
Guy Lang
Director of Youth Partnerships & Community Outreach, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Guy Lang, a dedicated father of three and a proud Temple University graduate with a BA in Criminal Justice, is deeply committed to advocating for and uplifting Black communities. With a career marked by unwavering dedication, Guy is an active member of organizations such as the Black Public Defender Association, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and the National Association for Public Defense.
His passion for justice and growth led him to become a fellow in the Black Defender Leadership Institute 2.0, currently honing his skills and leadership. Guy also served as the Training Coordinator for the Juvenile Defender Association of Philadelphia, a role appointed directly by the JDAP president, underscoring his commitment to the cause of racial justice.
Expanding his horizons, Guy studied Child Exploitation in Cambodia through Trinity Law School, enriching his global perspective. Beyond borders, his relentless commitment extends to empowering communities and advocating for racial justice.
Currently, Guy serves as the Director of Youth Partnerships and Community Outreach, and Director of the Junior Defender Program at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. His dedication also extends to public speaking engagements, where he shares insights and advocates for positive change.
In these pivotal roles and accomplishments, Guy cultivates strong connections with the communities served by the Defender, fostering collaboration, facilitating resource-sharing, and bridging the gap between Defender clients and comprehensive community support systems. His tireless efforts aim to bring Defender services closer to its clients, nurturing a more inclusive and supportive environment that champions social equity and racial justice.
Rev. Jacqueline Newsome, Esq.
Reverend Jacqueline (Jackie) Newsome has made it her life’s mission to faithfully fight for the freedoms of those swept up in the American Criminal Legal System. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Politics from New York University, Rev. Jackie continued her studies at The University of Chicago Law School, where she served as President of the Black Law Students Association and received many accolades, including the Ann Watson Barber Outstanding Service Award and recognition for being a Chicago Women’s Bar Foundation Scholar. A year after graduating with her Juris Doctor, Rev. Jackie enrolled in Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and further developed her identity as a social justice preacher and minister. Her thesis, Jesus Loves Guilty People: Making The Case for the Black Church to End Mass Incarceration, highlighted her theological perspectives on why the Black Church must abide by abolitionist principles to disrupt the prison industrial complex. Also, as President of the Black Student Caucus and a student member of Candler’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Rev. Jackie worked tirelessly to hold the institution accountable to its stated values on behalf of the student body. Off-campus, Rev. Jackie served as an intern minister at Greater Turner Chapel AME Church in Atlanta, GA, and Mount Zion AME Church in Decatur, GA.
After completing her studies at Candler in 2019, Rev. Jackie brought her passion, skills, and expertise to Philadelphia to work as an Assistant Public Defender for the Defender Association of Philadelphia until 2024. Her commitment to the church, community, and social justice led her to her current role as Assistant Pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown, where she continues to make a significant impact.
Rev. Jackie is a dedicated member of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force and the Rise Up for Reparations Committee. In both spaces, she actively contributes to the community’s efforts towards just practices on behalf of the descendants of enslaved Africans. She is also a multi-state bar licensed attorney and continues to consult with the Defender Association of
Philadelphia as a volunteer defender. Lastly, she is a highly sought-after preacher and speaker who is always ready to get into good trouble.
Christina Tavares
Director of DEI and Social Service Advocate, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Christina Tavares is a dedicated professional currently serving in a dual capacity as Director of DEI and Social Service Advocate at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. With a career spanning over a decade in public service, Christina has demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving the lives of marginalized individuals.
Christina’s journey in advocating for the underprivileged began in 2012 when she joined the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Her work there has been nothing short of transformative, as she tirelessly conducts home, placement, and agency visits to evaluate and address the emotional, social, and educational needs of abused, neglected, and exploited youth. Her tenacity shines through as she navigates complex situations to secure vital resources for these vulnerable individuals.
Before her tenure at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Christina commenced her career as a Student Advisor for the Philadelphia School District, where she collaborated with a diverse team of interdisciplinary school staff. Together, they assessed a wide spectrum of issues affecting students, ranging from educational and social to cognitive, emotional, and substance abuse concerns. Christina’s dedication to intervention and support during this phase laid the foundation for her impactful career.
In her most recent role as a Director of DEI, Christina spearheads initiatives aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within her organization. Her commitment to social justice extends beyond the office, as she actively engages with various committees, including DEI Committee, Social Work Practice Committee, Autism in the Courts Committee, and the NAPD’s DEI and Racial Justice+ Committee. Christina more recently joined The Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania team as the Co- Chair Director for their Racial Justice Screening Series.
Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Service with a minor in Psychology, earned from Chestnut Hill College she also completed her certification of Diversity Equity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Beyond her professional endeavors, she exemplifies a strong sense of community engagement, volunteering her time at Expungement Clinics and Restorative Justice Initiatives in collaboration with the DA’s office. Christina is also a familiar face at various community events, where she provides essential resources related to housing, therapy, and substance abuse support.
In summary, Christina Tavares is a tireless advocate for justice, equity, and the welfare of those often overlooked by society. Her diverse experience, coupled with her unwavering dedication, make her a driving force for positive change in her community and beyond.
Paige White, Esq.
Founder, EPW Law PLLC
Paige White is the founder of EPW Law PLLC, a boutique law firm specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. She has dedicated her career to fighting for justice, beginning her legal journey as a public defender with the Neighborhood
Defender Service of Harlem and later the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where she honed her trial advocacy skills. Paige has represented clients facing severe criminal charges and systemic injustices, using compelling storytelling to shift narratives and achieve groundbreaking results. In addition to her defense work, she serves as Of-Counsel at Ben Crump Law, contributing to high-profile civil rights cases. Her deep expertise in trial storytelling, client-centered advocacy, and systemic reform uniquely positions her to teach defenders how to leverage the power of narrative to drive meaningful change.
Kevann Gardner, Esq.
Founding Partner, K. Gardner Law LLC
Kevann A. Gardner is a seasoned trial attorney with over 11 years of experience representing indigent clients in complex felony and misdemeanor cases. As a former supervising attorney in the Trial Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, he specializes in litigating high-stakes cases, including murder, attempted murder, and first-degree sexual assault. Gardner’s career has spanned roles as an
investigator, law clerk, staff attorney, and hiring committee member, with additional experience as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society in the Bronx. He is a dedicated educator, teaching trial advocacy at Harvard Law School, Cardozo School of Law, and the National Criminal Defense College, while also serving as an adjunct professor at American University Washington College of Law.
Kelli Howard
Deputy Director, Montgomery County Public Defender Office (Ohio)
Kelli graduated from Wright State University with a B.A. in Political Science and holds a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law. She has practiced as an assistant public defender for over 20 years and is currently the Deputy Director of Montgomery County Public Defender Office. In addition to her career as a Public Defender, Kelli taught for ten years as an adjunct instructor at Sinclair Community College, Central State University, and Union Institute and University. She taught courses on Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Business Law, and American Federal Government. Her professional affiliations include membership with the National Association of Public Defense, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, the Black Public Defender Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Dayton Bar Association. Kelli is licensed to practice in the State of
Ohio and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Kelli also proudly serves on the HB 150 Task Force on Ohio’s Indigent Defense System, the Advisory Board of Montgomery County Juvenile Court Specialty Docket – Family Treatment Court, the National Association of Public Defense’s Racial Justice Committee, and Dayton Bar Association Grievance Committee, Dayton Bar Association Bar Exam & Qualifications Committee and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Associate Board. Kelli has previously served on Ohio Supreme Court’s Task Force on Technology and the OSBA Indigent Defense Task Force.
Julia Mauk
Director of Administrative Services, Montgomery County Public Defender Office (Ohio)
Julia Mauk serves as the Director of Administrative Services with the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office in Dayton, Ohio. Julia has spent the majority of her 15 year legal career at the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office. Prior to that, she was an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at Legal Aid of Western Ohio.
During her time with the Montgomery County Public Defender, Julia practiced in both the felony and misdemeanor divisions, handling cases at all points from arraignment through jury trial. In addition to being a trial attorney, she was the Misdemeanor Division Manager for 6 years. Now, as the Director of Administrative Services, Julia oversees investigations, administrative support, and annual budgetary submissions, in addition to her work in the courtroom. In her free time, she enjoys giving back to the community she calls home. She has served on boards for the Dayton Ballet Barre, the House of Bread, and the Dayton Bar Association. Currently, she serves on the Boonshoft Associate Board and the Dayton Bar Association Grievance Committee, and she is the board secretary for Rainbow Elder Care.
Quiana Harris
Supervising Trial Attorney, D.C. Public Defender Service
Quiana Harris is a Supervising Trial Attorney at the D.C. Public Defender Service. Quiana is a native of Rich Square, North Carolina, where her passion for public defense was fostered at a young age. She attended Winston-Salem State University and was taught and mentored by founding members of the Black Panther Party. Quiana has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a concentration in Public Administration, and is a graduate of Howard University School of Law (HUSL).
At HUSL, Quiana was a member of Howard Law Journal, where she authored a published “A Plea to Federal Judges: Combatting Prosecutorial Misconduct in the Cliven Bundy Era,” which was awarded the “Law360
Distinguished Legal Writing Award,” at the Burton Awards. As a law student, Quiana clerked at the Federal Public Defenders Office, United States District Court of Maryland, and the Washington Lawyers' Committee with the Prisoners’ Rights Team. Following HUSL, Quiana joined the faculty of Georgetown University Law Center as an E. Barret Prettyman Fellow in the Juvenile Justice Clinic where she represented children accused of crimes in the District and supervised third year law students in Georgetown’s Juvenile Justice Clinic.
JoEllyn L. Jones, Esq.
Founder, The Law Office of JoEllyn L. Jones LLC
JoEllyn L. Jones Esq.is a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and defense attorney. She is a graduate of Rowan University and Widener Law School. She recently received her Master’s in Restorative Justice from Vermont Law and Graduate School. She works for Seton Hall Center for Social Justice where she oversees the Reentry and Criminal Legal Education Project. In addition to running her law firm, The Law Office of JoEllyn L. Jones LLC. In her spare time, she sits on a variety of boards, volunteers, vacations and spends time with her loved ones trying to spread love, light and positivity in the world. JoEllyn is a cancer survivor.
Leslie McNair Jackson, Esq.
Criminal Trial Attorney
Leslie McNair Jackson is a wife, mother and daughter. Criminal trial attorney with 20 years of experience. Proactive litigator with a demonstrated ability to think outside the box and attack issues from angles unanticipated by adversaries. Adept at trial preparation. Develops themes for trial and then uses those themes to structure the story of each trial. Dedicated to aggressive pretrial litigation that results in dismissals or the least severe outcomes for clients. Managing attorney for almost 6 years. Has served as trainer and/or faculty at trial skills programs in many states. Uses lightsabers at trainings…sometimes. Leslie is a cancer survivor.
University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law
4340 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
The 2024 BPDA Summer Conference was held June 12-14, 2024 in Minneapolis, MN. The theme was “Centering Community, Defending with Purpose.” The conference provided plenaries and workshops dedicated to improving knowledge and building skills around holistic, client-centered advocacy.
The 2023 BPDA Summer Conference was held in Baltimore, MD on June 15-16, 2023. The theme was “Reckoning with Gideon at 60.” We examined the role of public defense 60 years after the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright Supreme Court decision, which guaranteed the right to counsel for all criminal defendants.
The 2022 BPDA Conference was held virtually June 16-17, 2022! The conference theme was “Reimagining Justice” — we invited attendees to consider and imagine new approaches to safety through a comprehensive program of policy and advocacy, professional development, and skills training.
Presenter: Our keynote speaker was Derecka Purnell! As a lawyer, organizer, and author, she works to end police and prison violence by providing legal assistance, research, and training in grassroots organizations through an abolitionist framework.
This Twitter thread recaps her session as she shared her journey as an abolitionist and how to shrink carceral systems through abolition.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on June 17-18, 2021 for the virtual BPDA Summer Conference. This event was our third conference and our second conference on a virtual platform. The annual BPDA Summer Conference provides Black public defenders, who identify with and are committed to the populations they serve, the opportunity to train, dialogue and network with each other. We hoped you enjoyed hearing from the nation’s leading voices on racial justice and defender leadership.
We also would like to thank every single person who helped make this conference a success: our expert panelists, board members, and staff worked tirelessly to bring you a conference tailor-made to the needs of Black defenders.
New for the 2021 conference, we launched 4 separate tracks: Emerging Leaders (for aspiring public defenders and law students), Skills Training, Policy Reform, and Professional Development.
Presenter: Kristin Henning, Blume Professor of Law & Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative at Georgetown Law, Washington DC
Some highlighted takeaways:
The physical and psychological trauma of constant police surveillance impacts how Black children form their sense of self under fear. It also has clear impacts on the physical and mental health of Black and brown communities.
When meeting new clients, defenders must remember that they have likely experienced racial trauma throughout their contact with the criminal legal system — maybe even with their previous defenders. It’s important to acknowledge this as you work with and advocate for them.
(not pictured: Monte Givhan)
Moderator: Stan Germán, Executive Director, New York County Defender Services, New York NY
Panelists:
- Derwyn Burton, Chief District Defender for Orleans Parish (New Orleans, LA)
- Michael Carter, Deputy Defender, Federal Community Defender Office (Detroit, MI)
- Sharone Mitchell Jr., Chief Defender, Cook County (Chicago, IL)
- Mercer (“Monte”) Givhan, Director of Training and Staff Development, Civilian Complaint Review Board (New York, NY)
Quotes from the session:
Michael Carter: A large part of this job is being a visionary. You don’t want to keep things status quo. Keep thinking outside of the box.
Derwyn Bunton: It showed our political community that public defenders are not powerless. I’ve learned that there are still spaces where we need to increase our influence.
Find more quotes in this Twitter thread!
Presenter: James Forman Jr., the J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law at Yale Law School
Quotes from the session:
Realize your power…Don’t ever stop talking. Don’t stop talking in court, the community or the media. Keep raising your voice and the voice of your clients because we need to hear you.
Nobody knows better the specific legal ways the system harms the community than the Black public defenders who are in the community and the courtroom.
The 2020 BPDA Summer Conference, held virtually on Thursday, July 16, was a resounding success. The BPDA Summer Conference tackled everything from how to advance your career, how to aid in the fight for Black lives, to moving success stories from the client community.
BPDA’s first virtual conference provided Black public defenders, who identify with and are committed to the populations they serve, the opportunity to train, dialogue and network with each other.
Many of the sessions were captured on social media, and we have provided links and highlights for you all to view below.
Opening Plenary
Jeffery Robinson, Deputy Legal Director, ACLU & Director of the ACLU Trone Center for Justice and Equality. You can watch Robinson’s full remarks in this Facebook Live video.
Closing Plenary: Black Defenders Matter: Seeing the World Through the Lens of Our Clients
Michael White shared about the importance of Black defenders and how Keir Bradford-Grey, Chief Defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, impacted his case. This Twitter thread recaps his story and remarks about why Black defenders matter.
The How to Advance in Your Career as a Black Defender session is recapped in this Twitter thread. The panelists included:
- Byron Conway, Attorney, Federal Defender Program, Georgia;
- Cynthia Jones Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law;
- Herbert Duzant, Criminal Defense Investigator, Nevada Federal Defenders;
- Clinique Marshall, Senior Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice;
- Cynthia Roseberry, Deputy Director, ACLU; and
- Juval Scott, Federal Public Defender, Western Virginia.
The How to Recruit and Retain Black Attorneys in Public Defender Offices & Hold the Broader PD Community Accountable for Inclusion session is recapped in this Twitter thread. The panelists included:
- Lori James-Townes, Professor, Towson University & President, Expand-Now, LLC;
- Doris Randle-Holt, Federal Defender of Western Tennessee;
- Zanele Ngubeni, Supervising Attorney, Atlanta Judicial Circuit;
- Samia Hossain, Research & Writing Attorney, Federal Public Defender Office; and
- Herbert Duzant, Criminal Defense Investigator, Nevada Federal Defenders.
The Dismantling Structural Racism and White Supremacy Through Systems Reform session is recapped in this Twitter thread. The panelists included:
- Porsha-Shaf’on Venable, Staff Attorney, The Bronx Defenders;
- Erin Miles Cloud, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Movement for Family Power;
- Patrice James, Founding Attorney, Still She Rises, Tulsa;
- Leonard Noisette, Director, Open Society Institute Justice; and
- David Singleton, Executive Director, Ohio Justice & Policy Center.
The Hearing the Untold Clients’ Stories about Race and Criminal Legal System session’s highlights and key takeaways is recapped in this Twitter thread. The panelists included:
- Paula Thompson, Voices for Second Chances in DC;
- Norman Brown, Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS);
- Musa Mahdi, Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS);
- Rolanda Holman, advocate; and
- CeCe Jones-Davis, worship leader, speaker, writer, and social advocate.
The How to Do Virtual Hearings and Preserve Clients’ Rights? session is recapped in this Twitter thread. The panelists included:
- Aisha McWeay, Executive Director, Still She Rises;
- Keesha Turner Roberts, Clinical Supervisor, Howard Law Civil/Housing Clinic; and
- Callie Glanton Steele, Federal Defenders of Louisiana.
The Tackling Race in the Courtroom session is recapped in this Twitter thread. It was led by former NACDL President Lisa Wayne.
