Holistic Defense Conference: Reckoning with Gideon @60This event brings together the Community Oriented Defender Network, the Black Public Defender Association, the American Council of Chief Defenders, and the National Association for Sentencing and Mitigation Specialists for three and a half days of innovative programming and workshops devoted to holistic, client-centered advocacy.    

NASAMS will hold its Mitigation Certificate Program in conjunction with the 2023 Holistic Defense Conference. This program will provide participants with training from nationally recognized experts in the field.  In addition, participants will receive sample materials, organizational tools, sample reports and E-tools to assist with their practice. This is an intensive training offered to beginners or professionals who want to innovate their mitigation skills. Participants will also have access to COD and BPDA workshops being held on Thursday morning. (Wednesday at 9am until Friday at noon) 

BPDA will host incredible workshops as well as a space for Black public defenders, who identify with and are committed to the populations they serve, gather and use the opportunity to train, dialogue and network with each other. (Thursday and Friday) 

COD: the Community Oriented Defender Network will host a series of networking and training opportunities for community-oriented defenders, exploring community-based holistic defense programs and national advocacy.  (Thursday and Friday) 

The ACCD pre-conference event will offer chief public defenders the chance come to engage in discussions about new issues facing public defenders across the nation and exchange ideas on effective approaches to public defense leadership.  Stay for the Holistic Conference Thursday and Friday to attend incredible leadership and DEI workshops. There is also an opportunity to participate in the public defense recruitment event be hosted on Friday afternoon after the conference!  (Tuesday and Wednesday) 

NEW THIS YEAR!! Recruitment Fair, Friday 1-5pm ET 

Are you looking for students or professionals with a passion for racial justice, and are interested in fighting against legal systems that are stripping our clients of their humanity?  This year the Holistic Defense Conference will have a recruiting event to help our members find like-minded individuals that could be future leaders in their organization.  Home to over a dozen universities/colleges/law schools, including two of this nation’s six HBCU Law Schools, the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area is full of people looking for careers that make a difference.  Sign up now to have the opportunity to meet or interview this pool of applicants after you’ve attended the conference.  You care and will already be here.  They care, and they will be here.  Why not meet them?  Sign up!