Federal Defender Section

NAPD is proud to host NAFD as the official Federal Defender Section within the National Association for Public Defense.

On behalf of the entire National Association for Public Defense, it is my distinct honor
and pleasure to welcome you — the staff and members of the National Association of
Federal Defenders — into our family. This is a milestone moment, and one we do not
take lightly.

The NAFD has a proud and important history. Formed decades ago to represent the
interests of federal defender program staff, it has long served as a voice for those who
dedicate their careers to ensuring that every person — regardless of their means —
receives vigorous, skilled, and passionate representation in the federal courts. That
mission has never been more vital than it is today.

Though the pandemic created a period of inactivity for the NAFD as a standalone
organization, the work you do never stopped. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of
Dumaka Shabazz, Jon Sands, and many others, the NAFD has found a new and
energized home as a section within NAPD. Together, we are stronger. Together, our
collective voice for indigent defense — at every level of the justice system — carries
further and hits harder.

As a section of NAPD, the NAFD retains its identity, its specialization in federal
defender issues, and its autonomy over the funds and programs that serve your
community. You will govern yourselves, elect your own leadership, and continue the
work that matters most to federal defenders — from training and advocacy to awards
and professional development — all while benefiting from the administrative
infrastructure and national platform that NAPD provides.

NAPD is committed to supporting the NAFD Section in every way we can. We see this
partnership not as an absorption, but as a joining of forces — a recognition that public
defenders everywhere share a common cause, and that when we stand together under
one roof, we can accomplish far more for the clients and communities we serve.

With deep respect and solidarity,

Dr. Lori James
Executive Director
National Association for Public Defense