NAPD 2024 Women's Virtual Conference

A discussion of what we can do to be a great female leader and mentor in public defense. Many of us did not have such role models as we came up, and it is so important to do it right! This discussion will include leadership and mentorship (good v. bad, why, how to do it), the distinction of being female -- esp. in public defense, providing a safe, inclusive environment that offers true work/life balance, supporting physical and mental health needs so that our attorneys give the absolute best representation to our clients, growing a client-centered and holisitic office and balancing compassion with strength.

At this time, our office has 5 female attorneys and no male attorneys. While it is an exciting time, it comes with challenges. In dealing with judges, prosecutors, and even our clients we experience obstacles not shared by our male counterparts. This is particularly true in our rural, conservative area. In this presentation, we will discuss those challenges and how we overcome them in client meetings, in meetings with the prosecutors, and in the courtroom.

As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, the coming winter is our time to store up energy for new growth. Join us for this hour of breath and relaxation with some measured, conscious breathing, some affirmations, the support of our group, and a loosely guided, loving-kindness Metta meditation to close out our time together.

Sometimes, a deep breath can make a big difference. This defense work is heavy, personal, and vitally important to the promise of liberty and justice for all. Sometimes and/or always, it is hard to see that we are doing vital work regardless of the outcomes. We work so hard to convince the system that our clients are real human beings. Here, we can remember: So are we!

Let’s slow it down, ease up, take a moment away from the grind, and rest a bit. No winter lasts forever; no spring skips a turn.

Remember the days when we were raised to believe that self-care was selfish? We were to take care of everyone before ourselves. Well, it's time to rewrite that narrative and liberate ourselves from the burdens we've carried for far too long. As women who chose to make a difference in the world, we dedicated ourselves to public defender offices, civil rights law offices, and non-profit organizations. Our caseloads grew, our hours stretched, and our hearts poured into nurturing our clients in addition to handling their legal affairs. Add in volunteer work, family responsibilities, and the weight of secondary trauma, and it's no wonder we neglected our own well-being.

But here's the empowering truth: it doesn't have to be this way anymore. It's time to reclaim our own lives, starting now, so we can live the exciting and healthy dream retirement we've worked tirelessly to achieve.

In this transformative workshop, we will unlock The 5 Secrets To Taking Time to Nourish You. Armed with these powerful insights, we'll create personalized plans to heal and nurture our minds and bodies, ensuring that we prioritize ourselves along the way. And guess what? It doesn't require huge chunks of time. Just eighteen minutes of yoga and five minutes of meditation, five days a week, can work wonders for our strength and flexibility.

But it doesn't stop there. We'll learn to make room for self-care by identifying what we can let go of in our busy lives, allowing us to put ourselves first without guilt or hesitation. And once we've carved out that sacred time, we'll discover invaluable strategies to protect it fiercely, ensuring that nothing and no one stands in the way of our well-being.

Now, let's talk about the results we'll achieve together:

💜 Less stress: Say goodbye to the heavy weight on your shoulders.

💜 Better sleep: Restful nights and energized mornings await you.

💜 Weight loss: Shed the extra pounds that have held you back for too long.

💜 Better control over chronic illnesses: Reclaim your health and vitality.

💜 Feeling rejuvenated instead of exhausted: Embrace a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

💜 Focused and present: Live fully in the here and now.

💜 Strength and flexibility: Both in body and in mind, you'll grow stronger and more resilient.

💜 Living that exciting and healthy dream retirement: Embrace the vibrant, fulfilling life you've always imagined.

It's time to break free from the habit of self-neglect. Together, we'll embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. Let's take the leap and create a future where self-care is not only a priority but a non-negotiable part of our lives. Your well-being matters. Join us on this incredible adventure and let's rewrite our story together.

In the wake of the Dobbs decision, there were many questions about what criminalization would look like. In the two plus years since, we’ve been able to see patterns and better understand how criminalization happens even as the laws continue to change. In this training, we’ll go over what If/When/How and the Repro Legal Defense Fund have seen in national trends and the tools the State has used to criminalize people, touch on how to use this information to inform best practices, and what resources are available in abortion and pregnancy criminalization cases.

When victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are charged with crimes, their experiences of abuse may be directly relevant to their legal defense. For example, evidence of IPV may support a self-defense claim, a duress/coercion defense, refute prosecution arguments used to establish the elements of a crime or help explain a client’s seemingly confusing behavior, especially when it does not comport with what many believe is typical “victim” behavior. In cases such as these, expert testimony is often necessary to help jurors think past their own misconceptions about domestic violence and accurately evaluate the evidence presented at trial. This webinar will provide an overview of the use of expert testimony in cases involving criminalized survivors, including the fundamentals of "battered woman syndrome."

Start your day with Serenity Yoga, a 30-minute morning Hatha yoga class designed to bring peace, balance, and energy to your mind and body. This gentle yet invigorating session guides you through a series of mindful asanas, focusing on breath, alignment, and inner calm. Whether you're easing into your day or seeking a moment of tranquility amidst a busy schedule, Serenity Yoga offers the perfect blend of movement and meditation to center yourself and embrace the day ahead with grace and clarity. For beginner to long time yogi.

This year's workshop will continue the 2023 Imposter Syndrome presentation. We will focus on helping attendees determine where they are on the scale of imposter syndrome, work through strategies and tools attendees can use on their own time for reflection, and work through group scenarios of common imposter syndrome situations and how to address them. We will provide a methodology for driving to a desired outcome by understanding the factors impeding success.