Membership
Join 25,000+ Public Defenders Nationwide
Become part of the nation’s largest community dedicated to transforming public defense. Access world-class training, resources, and a powerful professional network.
Join the Movement: NAPD Membership
NAPD membership provides comprehensive resources, training, and community support to help you deliver exceptional representation to your clients.
Live & Recorded Webinars
25+ Free-For-Members Webinars Annually & 350+ Recorded Past Events Archived In NAPD’s MyGideon Resource Library.
$2,000+ Value
Peer Support
Numerous Regularly Scheduled Virtual Meetup Events By Role Type & Topic Area, And Even More Online Community Forums.
Find Community
Trainings & Conferences
Deep member discounts and bulk ticketing options on 12+ recurring NAPD conferences and trainings (both virtual and in person).
Significant Savings
Networking
Find and reach out to fellow defenders nationwide through our searchable members-only directory.
Stay Connected
Solidarity & Systems Change
Eligibility to join NAPD committees, submit blogs highlighting the issues that matter to you, and a platform to coordinate nationally.
Collective Action
Career Resources
Jobs Board, On-Demand Online Courses like Train The Trainer & National Onboarding, and leadership development opportunities.
Grow Further
Choose Your Membership
Select the membership level that best fits your needs. All memberships include core benefits with tier-specific features.
Individual
- FREE entry to NAPD webinars year-round (one webinar is a $50 value!)
- Unlimited access to NAPD's Online Communities & virtual meetup events
- Unlimited access to the MyGideon Resource Library & recorded webinar archive
- Member discounts on all NAPD conferences & trainings (virtual and in-person)
- Eligibility for NAPD committees & option to be listed in our membership directory
Most Popular
Organization
- Access to bulk ticket pricing on NAPD events for an additional discount
- Unlimited ability to submit listings to the NAPD jobs board
- Ability to add/remove team members associated with your membership at any time
- Ability for organization leaders to submit event registrations & payments on behalf of other members of the organization
Student
Enrollment verification is required upon signup. See below for examples of valid verification documents:
- Copy of dated student ID card
- Copy of recent tuition receipt
- Copy of current course schedule
- Recently dated acceptance letter
- Copy of transcript (official or unofficial)
NAPD Membership is available exclusively for active/aspiring members of the public defense community & allied professionals.
Those who are employed by the prosecution, the judiciary, or law enforcement of any kind are expressly prohibited from NAPD membership.
World-Class Training and Resources
Stay at the cutting edge of defense strategy without breaking your budget.
- Free Webinars: 40+ sessions annually covering emerging legal trends and skills.
- MyGideon Resource Library: Instant access to hundreds of recorded sessions and written materials.
- NAPD Academy: Exclusive member discounts on self-paced online courses.
A Community That Has Your Back
Public defense is hard work—you shouldn’t do it alone.
- Virtual Meet-Ups: Over 100 meetings annually, ranging from Wellbeing to Policy and Racial Justice & DEIJ.
- Identity & Mission Groups: Dedicated spaces for Investigators, Social Workers, Trainers, and more.
- The Community: Access to real-time advice and a searchable Member Directory of 25,000+ peers nationwide.
National Conferences
Members receive priority notification, discounted pricing, and scholarship eligibility for our premier events, including:
Rise. Resist. Represent. Annual Virtual Training
Clarence Darrow/David Baldus Death Penalty College & Intellectual Disability Track
Leadership Institute
We the Defenders Conference
Racial Justice Conference
Team Mitigation Institute
And many more!
Hear From Our Members
Public defenders across the nation share how their experiences at NAPD conferences and trainings have impacted their careers and their clients.
“If you enter NAPD’s Leadership Institute unsure about your footing in leading others, you will leave with a renewed sense of purpose. This conference breaks the rules of routine PowerPoints and sparks real-world conversations across all sectors of public defense.”
Rebecca Myers, Communications Director for Ohio Public Defender, on NAPD Leadership Institute 2026
“NAPD conferences never disappoint, and Changemakers is especially special for letting the attending leaders lead. Every session was relevant, and the dynamic nature of the approach maximized the opportunity to network and learn from other jurisdictions.”
Melissa Rothstein, Attorney, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, on NAPD Changemakers Forum 2025
Bianca Ybarra, New Mexico Appellate Public Defender, on NAPD R3 Annual Virtual Training 2025
Got Questions?
Find answers to common questions about membership, benefits, and getting involved with NAPD.
Who is eligible to join NAPD and/or attend NAPD events?
Does NAPD offer Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits?
How can I set up a dedicated TalentLMS branch for my office?
Still have questions? Contact our membership team
Ready to Join the Movement?
Become part of the nation’s largest community of public defenders. Together, we’re transforming advocacy and reclaiming justice for all.