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.
Registration OPEN for the 2025 Juvenile Defender and Parent Defender Conferences
The 2025 Juvenile Defender Conference and Parent Attorney Conference, co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the Office of Indigent Defense Services, are now open. Please register by Friday, August 8.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW, DATES, AND LOCATION: The Juvenile Defender Conference will be held at the School of Government on Wednesday, August 20. Topics will include legislative and case law updates to juvenile law, remediation, capacity considerations, navigating uncomfortable situations and complex cases as a defender, and a look at A.I. (artificial intelligence) and what it means for juvenile proceedings and defense counsel.
The Parent Attorney Conference will be held at the School of Government on Thursday, August 21. Topics will include legislative and case law updates (including strategies and tips for defenders), the role of Rule 17 guardians ad litem for parents, and tips for working with challenging clients.
The agendas will be posted soon.
FEE: The registration fee for private assigned and managed assigned counsel is $215 for the Juvenile Defender Conference and $215 for the Parent Attorney Conference. There is no fee for IDS state employees.
SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of scholarships are available for private assigned and managed assigned counsel. If you are interested in applying, complete the scholarship application as soon as possible. If you receive a scholarship, the registration fee is waived. The scholarship deadline is 5:00 pm on Friday, August 1. Please refer to the scholarship website for additional information.
REGISTRATION: Register here for the Juvenile Defender Conference. Register here for the Parent Attorney Conference. The registration deadline for both conferences is 5:00 pm on Friday, August 8.
CLE CREDIT: The final CLE credit hours are subject to Bar approval and the final agendas. We anticipate that the Juvenile Defender Conference will offer up to 6 hours of CLE credit, including 1 hour of technology credit, and will qualify for NC State Bar Criminal Law and Juvenile Delinquency specializations. We anticipate that the Parent Attorney Conference will offer up to 5.5 hours of CLE credit and will qualify for NC State Bar Child Welfare and Family Law specializations.
HOTEL INFORMATION: A block of rooms is available at the Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill hotel (1742 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC) for $124 plus tax. The hotel reservation deadline is Sunday, July 27. To reserve a room, please refer to the hotel’s website here or call the hotel at (984) 291-7200 and ask for room block “907” or “Juvenile Defender and Parent Attorney Conference.”
TRAVEL: Contact Shannon Simmons, IDS Accounts Payable Supervisor, at [email protected] or (919) 890-1660. Please note that travel reimbursement forms must be submitted to IDS Financial Services by the end of the month following the travel, or reimbursement will be denied.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you have any questions or need further information, contact Program Manager Kayla Fowler at [email protected].
