NLADA Supports California Wildfires Victims
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The damage and loss of life in the current wildfires in California is unprecedented. Our thoughts are with these communities, and with colleagues, friends and families elsewhere, many of whom are still unable to reach or know the whereabouts of their loved ones.
The Camp Fire in Northern California along with several wildfires in Southern California including the Woolsey and Hill Fires are still not fully contained. We thank the first responders, firefighters, law enforcement and numerous other organizations and volunteers who are courageously endeavoring to stop the fires and assist those in extraordinary need. Assistance, resources and relief efforts from both the public and private sectors are required on a massive scale as low-income and diverse communities, especially Native American communities, are disproportionately affected by the wildfires. Our neighbors in California will need legal assistance to help them respond to the numerous challenges in securing safety and stability for their families. Experience from past disasters has shown us that the legal community will not only provide critical assistance when rebuilding efforts begin, but will remain steadfast in assisting these communities for years to come.
NLADA and its partners are committed to ensuring its expertise and resources are available over the long-haul.
The National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center,
a collaboration among NLADA, Pro Bono Net, the American Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation, is an online resource center that provides legal information on issues such as housing, insurance claims, and employment needed to recover from such disasters, which are becoming all too recurrent.
We know the recovery in California will be a long and arduous journey; NLADA will be there for its members and the communities they serve.
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Moving Racial Justice to Forefront
NLADA considers racial justice critical to our mission to advance justice for all. As we continue our efforts to create fairness in the justice system, it is critical we examine our own internal standards and practices.
The
Fight Against Implicit Bias and Racial Inequality (FAIR)
pledge seeks to ensure racial equity remains a central focus of the Association and its member organizations. To address these challenges, we have committed to taking a number steps and encourage our peers to do the same or undertake comparable efforts.
To sign or learn more about the pledge and our fight for racial justice,
visit our website.
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Standing With the
Public Defense Community
In late October, a public defender in Milwaukee, WI was handcuffed, chained at the waist and shackled at the ankles after being held in contempt of court. The attorney was defending a client against a faulty drug screen and reports describe the attorney’s conduct as a non-verbal display of frustration with court proceedings.
The incident has sparked conversations and concerns across the criminal defense community about how the incident could have a chilling effect on zealous representation. NLADA stands with the public defense community in support of due process and just outcomes for both clients and for the devoted attorneys who represent them.
Read more
here.
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Jo-Ann Wallace Recognized for Her Leadership with the
EXCEL Award
Jo-Ann Wallace, NLADA's president & CEO, was recently awarded the Excellence in Chief Executive Leadership (EXCEL) Award by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. This honor recognizes and spotlights outstanding chief executives among nonprofits in the Washington, D.C., region. The competition focuses on achievement in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity and strategic leadership.
Congratulations Jo-Ann. Read her personal essay about leadership
here.
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Thank You for a Successful Annual Conference!
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Thank you to everyone who joined us in Houston from October 31 - November 3, 2018, for NLADA's Annual Conference - Resilient Justice. The days were filled with educational and inspirational presentations. We hope you enjoyed the wonderful Texas hospitality as much as we did!
Take a look at some of the highlights from the conference!
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NLADA Launches
New Public Defender Section
NLADA is pleased to announce the historic formation of
the Black Public Defender Association
(“BPDA”), which is a new member section of NLADA. In recognition of the extreme over-representation of Black people involved in the justice system and the under-representation of Black advocates fighting for their freedom, a group of current and former Black public defenders convened for nearly a year to plan and create this new community to strengthen the fight for public defense and social justice in the criminal legal system.
On November 2, BPDA hosted its first event entitled “Defending Our Own: The Life and Journey of the Black Public Defender”, and this panel discussed the lived experiences of black public defenders and formally introduced the purpose and goals of BPDA.
A recording of the panel may be found
here.
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Giving Thanks to YOU!
NLADA is grateful for your generosity all year – and particularly during this season of thanks. It is because of your support and contributions that we are able to eliminate barriers to justice across the country through training, advocacy and development of innovative solutions.
THANK YOU!
This
Giving Tuesday
look for us in your inbox and on
social media
as we celebrate the generous spirit of the NLADA community and explore the ways in which we are breaking down barriers to justice together!
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Upcoming NLADA Conferences
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May 9-11
in
Louisville, KY.
Visit the
EJC website
for more information.
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Member Corner
Did you know
Program Memberships
grant member benefits to your entire staff? Don't miss your opportunity to provide your colleagues with great conference discounts, online resources and networking opportunities!
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