Technical Assistance Projects
Changing Public Defense Culture Through Hands-On Support
NAPD provides highly customized services designed to assist specific audiences, typically targeting a single organization or system. All projects are vetted by the Executive Director and often involve a collaborative partnership between NAPD staff and expert contractors.
Our Impact: Proven Results Across the Nation
We have a successful history of partnering with public defense systems to confront bias, elevate due process, and empower leadership. We don’t just provide advice; we provide roadmaps for systemic change. Below are highlights of our recent work helping offices transform their structure, leadership, and culture.
Proven Impact: Our Past Projects
Systemic Transformation & Strategy
- Census of Public Defender Offices: Partnering with the Bureau of Justice Statistics to conduct a first-of-its-kind national census, providing critical data for the future of the profession.
- Calhoun County, MI: Executing a feasibility study to evaluate the conversion of a county department into an independent non-profit defender office.
Leadership & Executive Support
- Executive Recruitment: Provided strategic planning and coordination for Muskegon County, MI and Allegheny County, PA to assist in the search, vetting, and hiring of new Directors.
- Leadership Development: Delivered intensive leadership training for the Brooklyn Defender Services (NY), Idaho State Public Defender, and the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania.
- Effective Coaching: Currently developing “Effective Coaching” curricula for Connecticut Public Defenders to foster a culture of mentorship.
Cultural Equity & Professional Well-being
- Wellbeing & Sustainability: Delivered specialized well-being training for the Federal Public Defender (Western District of Washington) to address burnout and retention.
- DEIJ Strategy: Produced a comprehensive DEIJ report for federal systems to ensure equity remains at the forefront of defense operations.
Specialized Skills & Training
- De-escalation for Support Staff: Facilitated specialized training for legal assistants at Virginia Indigent Defense Counsel and the Law Office of the Public Defender (NM).
- Mitigation Excellence: Provided advanced mitigation and writing training for defenders in Whatcom County (WA) and Massachusetts (CPCS).
Let’s build your solution together.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. NAPD creates customized service plans based on your specific requests. We identify and recruit the best internal and external Subject Matter Experts to shepherd your project from development to implementation.
Custom Solutions Plans
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. NAPD creates customized service plans based on your specific requests. We identify and recruit the best internal and external Subject Matter Experts to shepherd your project from development to implementation.
Leadership & Strategy
- Transformational Leadership Training: Empowering managers to reflect on values and lead with authenticity.
- Executive Hiring Assistance: Expert support in recruiting and vetting top-tier leadership.
- Strategic Planning & Coordination: Helping systems develop long-term roadmaps for growth and efficiency.
- Policy & Legislation: Guidance on navigating and shaping the legal and policy landscape.
Equity, Culture, & Wellbeing
- Racial Equity & DEIJ: Subject Matter Expertise on inclusion, including comprehensive Racial Equity Surveys and Reports.
- Wellbeing & Sustainability: Addressing the long-term health and retention of public defense professionals.
- Courageous Conversations: Specialized training to facilitate difficult but necessary dialogues within your team.
Organizational Structure & Systems
- Feasibility Studies: Comprehensive analysis for systemic shifts, such as converting from a non-profit to a countywide office structure.
- Systems & Processes: Reviewing organizational structure to streamline workflows and improve outcomes.
- Assessments & Reports: Deep-dive evaluations of current office climate and operational effectiveness.
Specialized Skills Training
- Mitigation Skills: In-depth training including onboarding and holistic defense skills for legal teams on building stronger cases, defining and integrating roles on the team, and enhancing mitigation skills.
- Effective Coaching: Teaching leaders how to mentor and grow their staff.
- De-escalation for Legal Assistants: Practical tools for support staff to manage high-stress environments.
Feedback from the Field
Lori’s work… has brought race and culture to the forefront, helping public defense organizations confront bias and elevate due process with compassion, clarity, and purpose. Our leaders walked away empowered to implement these tools in their daily work.”
Anthony J. Benedetti
Chief Counsel, Committee for Public Counsel Services (MA)
“The presentation on courageous conversations is heartfelt and provides concrete and digestible steps to discuss difficult topics. I left feeling better equipped to engage.”
Tatiana Kline
Office of the State Public Defender (CA)
“Partnering with NAPD’s Technical Assistance Program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. What sets them apart is their genuine care for the well-being of public defenders and the offices they serve, focusing not just on the work, but on the people doing it. They understand that to effectively serve clients, defenders themselves must be supported, equipped, and led with intention. Through customized training and hands-on technical assistance, NAPD is building trauma-informed leaders within public defense in a truly transformative way. This undoubtedly creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the courtroom and into the clients and communities that need it most.”
Crystal Currie Ph.D
ThriveWell Strategies and Compass Life Skills & Counseling
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