Monthly Attorney Orientation
For Lawyers who are New to Indigent Defense
Beginning August 1, IDS staff will provide orientation for new attorneys on the first Friday of each month from 1-2 p.m.
Topics will include a guided tour of the IDS website, information on training and CLE opportunities, access to wellness resources and more. You will also be able to connect with other defense attorneys for future collaboration!
2026 IDS Forensic Science Education Series
IDS and the Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office provide regular continuing education to dozens of NC criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists who attend the IDS Forensic Science Education Series.
In 2026, we will offer monthly 90-minute webinars on various aspects of forensic evidence. These webinars will take place typically at 12:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month. Click here to view the 2026 Schedule.
The first six sessions of 2026 will focus on understanding and advocating for neurodivergent clients.
- This event has passed.
Juvenile Defender Conference & Parent Attorney Conference — August 28th and 29th
The 2024 Juvenile Defender and Parent Attorney Conferences are cosponsored by the UNC School of Government and the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION:
The Juvenile Defender Conference will be held on Wednesday, August 28, from 8:50am to 4:00pm. Topics will include legislative and case law updates to juvenile law (including new capacity procedures and potential changes to Raise the Age), representing clients with mental health issues, and discussion and workshops on how to call and challenge expert testimony as a juvenile defender. Click here to access the agenda.
The Parent Attorney Conference will be held on Thursday, August 29, from 8:30am to 4:00pm. Topics will include legislative and case law updates (with advocacy pointers for defenders), current issues in TPR proceedings, a practical look at experts in juvenile AND matters, and what attorneys need to know about parenting evaluations. Click here to access the agenda.
Both conferences will be held in person at the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill, NC.
FEE: There is no fee for IDS state employees. The registration fee for private assigned and managed assigned counsel is $200 per conference.
SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of scholarships are available for private assigned and managed assigned counsel. If you are interested in applying, click here to complete the scholarship application. If you receive a scholarship, the registration fee of $200 is waived. You are responsible for your own travel, food, and lodging expenses. Scholarships are awarded no later than two weeks after application submission.
Please apply as soon as possible, as scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The scholarship deadline is 5pm on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
REGISTRATION:
Register for the Juvenile Defender Conference here.
Register for the Parent Attorney Conference here.
The registration deadline for both conferences is 5pm on Wednesday, August 14.
CLE CREDIT: The Juvenile Defender Conference will offer approximately 5.5 hours of CLE credit and will qualify for NC State Bar Criminal Law and Juvenile Delinquency specializations, subject to Bar approval. The Parent Attorney Conference will offer approximately 6.0 hours of CLE credit and qualifies for NC State Bar Child Welfare and Family Law specializations, subject to Bar approval.
HOTEL INFORMATION: We are in the process of securing a block of rooms. The hotel information will be available on the course web pages at a later date and in reminder emails.
TRAVEL: IDS has approved this program for travel reimbursement for state employees at the state rate in accordance with state rules and regulations. For all questions regarding travel reimbursement, contact Shannon Simmons, IDS Accounts Payable Supervisor, at [email protected] or 919-890-1660.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you have questions about the course content, please contact Timothy Heinle, Teaching Assistant Professor, at [email protected]. If you have logistical questions or need further information, please contact Karli Wilson, Program Manager, at [email protected].
The School of Government is committed to equality of educational opportunity. The School does not discriminate in offering access to its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. If you have a disability and need accommodation to participate in any School of Government program, please let us know.
