Return to Events

NAPD - The Call is Coming from Inside the House: Confronting our own Implicit Bias as Public Defenders


Time: January 6, 2027 - 2-3pm
Location: Webinar

Public defenders are trained to recognize and challenge bias in the criminal legal system... but what happens when our own implicit biases affect how we see and advocate for our clients? This presentation takes an honest look at how implicit biases form, the ways bias can influence our perceptions, decision-making, communication, and advocacy, even when we are committed to zealous, client-centered representation, and what we can do to change it. Participants will explore practical ways to recognize bias, interrupt it, and develop sustainable habits that make us more thoughtful and effective advocates.

Learning objectives:

  • Identify how implicit bias can influence perceptions, decision-making, communication, and advocacy in the practice of public defense.
  • Recognize and examine moments in their own public defense practice where implicit bias may affect how they understand or respond to clients.
  • Apply practical strategies to interrupt the influence of implicit bias and develop more intentional, client-centered advocacy practices.

Designed for defense lawyers, appellate advocates, and constitutional litigators, this program will provide a rigorous, practice-oriented examination of how Supreme Court reform proposals could shape the future of criminal law and the rights of the accused.

Online registration and additional information