NAPD Leadership Legal Aid 2026: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

9:00am EDT

Engaging the Community and Leading from all Angles

Friday July 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

This session equips public defender leaders with practical strategies and examples for building robust, mutually beneficial relationships with the communities their offices serve. Participants will learn how to shift from reactive communication to proactive, trust-based engagement that enhances service delivery, informs policy advocacy, and ultimately improves client outcomes.

Friday July 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Plenary

9:45am EDT

Spark Talks

Friday July 17, 2026 9:45am - 11:15am EDT

See a panel of speakers on a variety of brief spark talks on various topics including Coaching, Teams, Policy and Fighting for Your Office, Team Leaders and Q&A

Friday July 17, 2026 9:45am - 11:15am EDT

Plenary

11:15am EDT

Break

Friday July 17, 2026 11:15am - 11:30am EDT

Break

11:30am EDT

Small group

Friday July 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Small Group

12:30pm EDT

Lunch (on your own)

Friday July 17, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT

Lunch on your own

1:15pm EDT

Sustaining Yourself Through Good and Bad Times

Friday July 17, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Public defense leaders play a crucial role in shaping a work environment that supports their team’s longevity and excellence. This session will explore practical strategies to prevent burnout, foster resilience, and create a culture where defenders feel valued, supported, and committed to the work for the long haul. Participants will leave with actionable steps to strengthen their office’s well-being and sustainability, ensuring both staff retention and high-quality advocacy.

See: NAPD Ten Principles for Creating Sustainability in Public Defense

Speakers

Caitlin Becker

Social Work Director of Complex Advocacy, Bronx Defenders

Caitlin Becker (she/her) is Social Work Director of Complex Advocacy in the Family Defense Practice at the Bronx Defenders (BxD). Prior to returning to BxD to take on this role, Caitlin was the Director of Holistic Defense at the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender. She has been a holisti... Read More →

Lori James

Executive Director, National Association for Public Defense

Dr. Lori James, PhD, LCSW-C, is the Executive Director of the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD), representing more than 27,000 public defense professionals nationwide to drive systemic legal reform. With over 30 years of experience spanning criminal legal reform, clinical... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Plenary

2:45pm EDT

Wrap Up

Friday July 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

Discussion of what we have learned and where do we go from here.

Friday July 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

Plenary

NAPD Leadership Legal Aid 2026

9:00am EDT

9:45am EDT

11:15am EDT

11:30am EDT

12:30pm EDT

1:15pm EDT

Caitlin Becker

Lori James

2:45pm EDT

Get help with the event