NAPD Leadership Legal Aid 2026: Full Schedule

12:00pm EDT

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

NAPD Staff will be at the registration table just outside of the auditorium by 10am EST for you to sign in, pick up your nametag, etc. prior to opening remarks at 12:30 pm EST.

Please make sure you have completed the community guidelines and confidentiality agreement.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

Conference Welcome

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:45pm - 1:00pm EDT

Speakers

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:45pm - 1:00pm EDT

Plenary

1:00pm EDT

Opening Address: Leadership: It Matters!

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 1:15pm EDT

In this powerful monologue, a leader shares a personal reflection on how servant leadership has shaped their journey, their sense of purpose, and their commitment to those they serve. Drawing on years of leading teams and championing others, this session illuminates the profound impact servant leadership has—not only on organizations—but on the lives of clients, families, and entire...
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Speakers

Alice Fontier

Deputy Director Administration and Operations, NAPD

Alice Fontier has been a practicing criminal defense attorney for over twenty years after graduating from NYU School of Law. She is now a Legal and Management consultant. She currently serves as a Project Managing Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of New York. She has been the Managing... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 1:15pm EDT

Plenary

1:15pm EDT

Transformational Leadership and the Leader in You

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

Session Description:This dynamic lecture invites participants to explore transformational leadership not just as a theory, but as a personal calling. Dr. Lori James will guide attendees in examining how their values, experiences, and vision shape their leadership identity and influence others. Participants will learn how transformational leaders inspire trust, foster growth, and create meaningful...
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Speakers

Lori James

Executive Director, National Association for Public Defense

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

Plenary

2:15pm EDT

Break

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

Break

2:30pm EDT

Core Values Session

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

In this session, participants will explore the process of identifying their core values—the guiding principles that shape how they lead, make decisions, and show up for others. Through reflection and practical exercises, leaders will gain clarity on what matters most to them and learn to articulate the values that anchor their work. We will examine why self-awareness around core values is...
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Speakers

Kirsten Downs

Director of Systemic Reform, Maryland Office of the Public Defender

Kirsten Gettys Downs is the Director of Systemic Reform at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, where she leads the Maryland Justice Partnership, a community-driven initiative to dismantle mass incarceration and advance a more equitable legal system. She brings more than two... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Plenary

3:30pm EDT

What Is a Challenge

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:30pm - 3:45pm EDT

Identifying an individual leadership challenge to take to small groups.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:30pm - 3:45pm EDT

Plenary

3:45pm EDT

Break

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:00pm EDT

Break

4:00pm EDT

Small group

Wednesday July 15, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Introductions and Leadership Challenge

Wednesday July 15, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Small Group

5:00pm EDT

Facilitators Meeting

Wednesday July 15, 2026 5:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

9:00am EDT

Building Leadership Impact Through Emotional Intelligence

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

In this session designed for high-level managers, senior leaders, and executives we will explore the connection between the Four Frames and Emotional Intelligence, develop practical strategies for leveraging the Four Frames to enhance emotional intelligence, manage conflict, build trust, and foster collaboration. This session will enable participants to recognize and adapt their leadership style...
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Speakers

Pam Love

President, DP Love Enterprises

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Plenary

10:00am EDT

Break

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EDT

Break

10:15am EDT

Creating a Culture Where We Thrive

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

Public defense is not just a profession—it is a calling. Yet across the country, defender offices are facing unprecedented challenges: burnout, turnover, resource inequities, secondary trauma, and the weight of fighting injustice every day. Culture is not a soft concept—it is the foundation that determines whether teams merely survive or truly thrive.Research consistently shows that...
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Speakers

Aisha McWeay

Chief of Legal Services, Harris County (Houston) Public Defender Office

Aisha McWeay is obsessed with healthy organizational culture based on aligned core values, intentional change management and succession-planning.

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

Plenary

10:15am EDT

Leadership Transition: What You Need to Know to Succeed

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

Stepping into a new leadership role—whether as a first-time leader or middle manager—requires more than a new title. It demands a shift in mindset, relationships, and responsibility. This session prepares emerging and mid-level leaders to navigate the complexities of transition with clarity and confidence. Participants will explore the common pitfalls of leadership transitions, learn how to...
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Speakers

Lori James

Executive Director, National Association for Public Defense

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

Plenary

11:15am EDT

Small group

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:30pm EDT

Case Problem with Action Plans and Scripts for Difficult Conversations

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:30pm EDT

Small Group

12:30pm EDT

Lunch (on your own)

Thursday July 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT

Lunch on your own

1:45pm EDT

The Art of Difficult Conversations: Using Lessons Learned and Tools to Achieve Shared Outcomes

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

As leaders, it’s a responsibility and charge to ensure the empowerment of the most important asset in organizations – the people. One of the biggest challenges cited by leaders and team members is a reluctance or lack of knowledge regarding how to navigate difficult conversations, even though avoiding them negatively impacts culture and representation. In this session, the group will explore...
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Speakers

Kristin LaVoy

Assistant Assigned Counsel Coordinator, Wayne County Indigent Defense Services Department

Kristin LaVoy has spent her entire 16 year legal career in indigent defense. She is currently an assistant assigned counsel administrator in Wayne County where she provides and coordinates training for attorneys taking appointments in Wayne County. She previously served as the Training... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

Plenary

2:30pm EDT

Small group

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Case Problem with Action Plans and Scripts for Difficult Conversations

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Small Group

4:00pm EDT

Leadership Goal Setting for Team Impact

Thursday July 16, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Strong leaders measure success and significance not only by their own achievements but by the growth, engagement, and performance of their teams. This session explores how intentional goal setting enables leaders to create a positive and lasting impact on employees while advancing organizational objectives. Participants will learn how to develop leadership goals that strengthen communication,...
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Speakers

Terri Green

Director of Social Work, Maryland Office of the Public Defender

Terri Collins-Green, LCSW-C is the Director of Social Work for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD). Mrs. Collins-Green has been with MOPD for over ten years. She began as a staff social worker in the Baltimore County MOPD office, was promoted to Regional Social... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Plenary

5:00pm EDT

Facilitators Meeting

Thursday July 16, 2026 5:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

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...
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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

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

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