NAPD connects, inspires, and empowers public defender professionals to fight for racial, economic, and social justice, and champion public defense.
NAPD is an association of practitioners. As public defense experts, NAPD has the intellectual capital, force of numbers and mechanisms for collaboration to lead the movement to finally deliver access to justice, as well as overcome the flawed policies that disenfranchise huge populations across specific communities – particularly communities of color.
On a daily basis, NAPD members nationwide share their education materials, outreach plans, communications, technical assistance, amicus/litigation resources, policy positions, leadership skills, and research and analysis methods in order to leverage the tools for change for the people in the places that need them most. Stronger together, NAPD consolidates enormous talent, energy and potential for justice reform.
Virtual Meetups
Hosted Annually
Free-For-Members
Webinars Each Year
Online Communities
For Members
NAPD is an organization built BY and FOR public defenders of all role types, practice areas, and geographic regions of the US.
NAPD offers ongoing training opportunities for attorneys and defense team members at all levels.
In 2024, there were over 25 webinars offered free to our members — a $1250 value!
Recorded Webinar Content
Accredited programs
Industry leaders
Get ready to #MeetUsInMontgomery for an immersive and transformative experience, designed to enhance your understanding of racial justice and your ability to fight for it in your work as a public defense professional! Featuring site visits to the Equal Justice Institute’s Legacy Museum, National Memorial For Peace & Justice, & the new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park.
Our conferences bring together the brightest minds in public defense for transformative learning experiences and meaningful connections.
From our flagship R3 Annual Virtual Training and other major conferences to our specialized institutes, NAPD events provide unparalleled opportunities to advance your practice and build lasting professional relationships.
September 17-18 2026 • Virtual
October 7-9 2026 • Virtual
Jam packed with hundreds of recorded webinars and conference sessions, as well as NAPD-created and member-submitted resources, the MyGideon Resource Library is a dedicated members-only space to find the resources critical to your public defense practice.
Take advantage of the currently available resources, or submit some of your own for the benefit of the larger NAPD community! The MyGideon Resource Library is what we make it.
See examples of topics included in the library below:
Practical tools and strategies to strengthen your client-centered holistic representation.
Increase your competency, challenge your biases, and identify specialized considerations & resources for clients.
Information & ideas to improve your personal wellbeing, tackle systemic problems, and evolve public defense.
Keep up with the pros and cons of the latest tools and tech, and how to handle new types of digital evidence.
Select the membership level that best fits your needs. All memberships include core benefits with tier-specific features.
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.
Join NAPD today and become part of a nationwide community dedicated to transforming public defense.
