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.
FREE WEBINAR–Break the Stigma: Let’s Talk About It
Wednesday, August 14th @ 2:30 p.m.
90-minutes of CLE Credit Offered; 60-minutes satisfies the professional well-being requirement.
Break The Stigma: Let’s Talk About It
Talking about suicide is both difficult and lifesaving. This training will provide a brief overview of data related to specific population groups that statistics show have higher rates of suicide, including attorneys. A brief overview of risk factors and warning signs will also be shared along with treatment methods that research has shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression as untreated depression is a risk factor for suicide. *This training is similar to the training provided at the 2024 Public Defender Conference.
The webinar includes a visual presentation, live audio, and interactive Q & A.
Participants: This webinar is open to public defenders, private attorneys who do indigent defense work, and staff.
Schedule: The webinar will be held on Wednesday, August 14th from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please plan to sign on 15 minutes before the start of the webinar to test your connection.
Registration: https://nccourts.webex.com/weblink/register/r66007ddfae6731f61b37bc701119110a
Fee: There is no registration fee for participants. Those interested in earning CLE credit will need to provide their Bar #; all participants must pre-register individually.
About the Presenter:
Carla Huff, MEd, MSW, LCSW: Carla began her career in the United States Army and was trained in military intelligence and law enforcement. After leaving the military, Carla worked as a juvenile court counselor for the Department of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention in Wake County (Department of Public Safety-Juvenile Services). Carla also spent time working in Wake County Public Schools, providing support for children and adolescents diagnosed with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). She later transitioned to working with Alliance Health, a local managed care organization. Here, she covered multiple counties and was part of two pilot programs; one providing support to caregivers of children with complex health needs, the other supporting community inclusion for individuals transitioning out of long-term care, housing and incarceration.
Carla is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has interests in the impact of trauma and brain development, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in civilians and military personnel, social determinants/drivers of health and epigenetics.
For More Information: Contact Carla Huff, Recruitment and Training Coordinator at [email protected].
If you have differing abilities and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Carla Huff, [email protected], 919-354-7207.
