Foundations of Public Defense

Foundations of Public Defense is an annual conference that introduces new-to-practice Public Defenders, including attorneys, social service staff, investigators and mitigation specialists, the skills and values necessary to build a career in public defense. This training is a comprehensive introduction to “life as a Public Defender”, covering the foundational tools and team-based practices that make up holistic client representation.

The conference consists of plenaries, drills, and track-specific breakout sessions that demonstrate how all roles in public defense depend on each other. It acts as both a learning experience and a space to celebrate the Pennsylvania public defense community, reinforce public defense values, and ensure that every participant leaves better equipped to serve clients with dignity and compassion. It also emphasizes how all roles are equally important when it comes to effective client representation, whether someone is advocating in court, conducting investigations, developing mitigation, or supporting clients through crisis.

A closer look at the 2025 Foundations of Public Defense training is available here.