August 2022
A New Report on the Use and Harms of Public Defense Fees


This report takes a deep dive into the constitutional right to counsel, and how it is executed by the U.S. government in all 50 states. The 18-month investigation - documented in detail in At What Cost? - revealed the use of extensive fees imposed on those who assert their right to counsel. The report traces the disruption these fees can cause for people, and the lack of concern by legislatures that perpetuate their use, despite very low collection yields. You also have the opportunity to explore how each state handles fees associated with public defense in our series of interactive maps. Click here to explore the maps and read the report.
Perpetuating Poverty, The Pervasive Use of Public Defense System Fees

You have a chance to learn more about the national problem presented in At What Cost? on August 30 at 2:00 p.m. ET during our webinar "Perpetuating Poverty, The Pervasive Use of Public Defense System Fees."

The webinar will equip criminal legal system advocates, defenders and civil practitioners with a national context of public defense system fees, an understanding of the harms they can cause, and strategies to change laws and practices on the imposition of these fees. Panelists include:

  • Marea Beeman, Director, Research Initiatives - Defender Legal Services, National Legal Aid & Defender Association
  • Tim Laughlin, Executive Director, Oklahoma Indigent Defense System
  • Alexander Vincent Kornya, Litigation Director & General Counsel, Iowa Legal Aid
  • Priya Sarathy Jones, National Policy & Campaigns Director, Fines and Fees Justice Center

Click the button below to register and join us online on August 30 at 2:00 p.m. ET!
Registration is Open for the 2022 Annual Conference

Registration for the 2022 NLADA Annual Conference, Speaking Truth to Power: A New Day in a New Way - is open! NLADA recognizes the flexibility needed as we continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic. That is why, in addition to our live conference, we will also offer a separate virtual component:

In-Person: Wednesday, October 26 — Saturday, October 29
Arlington, Virginia
Virtual: Tuesday, December 6 — Wednesday, December 7

Stay tuned for information regarding programming and scheduling. Click the button below to secure your spot at the Annual Conference today! Once you register, don't forget to book your room. The deadline to reserve your room is September 30, 2022.
NLADA Submits Comments to the Department of Education about PSLF

NLADA recently submitted comments to the Department of Education regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The comments support proposed changes that would expand access to PSLF and urge the Department of Education to: Extend the PSLF Limited Waiver deadline beyond Oct. 31; establish an expansive reconsideration process for those who may have been denied but are indeed eligible; and expand eligibility to public servants who do not receive W-2 forms, including many public defenders. You can view the comments online here.
Civil Legal Aid Federal Funding Resources

Diversifying an organization’s funding base is essential to its long-term financial health that is why NLADA established LegalAidResources.org, an online database that hosts over 300 federal funding opportunities that can support civil legal aid. A part of the Project to Advance Civil Legal Aid Collaborations initiative, we hope that this online tool can continue to help civil legal aid programs and other equal justice advocates find federal funding to support their work.
Corporate Responsibility
and Access to Justice

We want to extend our thanks to our partners on the Corporate Advisory Committee (CAC) for their support of NLADA's mission and vision as we work together on issues addressing access to justice. Our members represent distinguished leaders from a variety of industries with a powerful commitment to corporate responsibility.
 
Thank you to all of our members: Accenture Federal Services, Amazon, American Family Insurance, AT&T, Bank of America, Entergy, Ford Motor Company, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Merck, NLADA Insurance Program, PayPal, Pfizer, Philip Morris International, Procter & Gamble, Twitter, Uber, U.S. Bancorp, VISA and Walmart. Click here to learn more about NLADA's corporate engagement. 
Member Corner

With the Annual Conference quickly approaching, please make sure your membership is in good standing so you can take advantage of upcoming conference discounts. If you're planning to attend our Annual Conference in October and you are a current member, you will be eligible for group registration discounts and more. If you require assistance or have questions about your membership status, please email us at membership@nlada.org.
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