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.
Navigating the Capacity and Commitment Process
Registration for the Navigating the Capacity and Commitment Process Training, scheduled for April 4, 2024, is now open and available at https://www.sog.unc.edu/courses/navigating-capacity-and-commitment-process.
This training is co-sponsored by the UNC School of Government and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities. **The agenda can be found at this link.
Program: The program will be held at the School of Government with topics covering the ITP process, an overview of the LCFE program, information sharing concerning mental health treatment, considerations in capacity evaluations, and reviewing capacity restoration and reports.
Participants: This training is open to public defenders and private defense attorneys who perform a significant amount of appointed work. The program is geared toward defense attorneys new to handling capacity issues.
REGISTRATION: To register and find other program information, visit the course page. The priority registration deadline for public defenders, IDS employees, private assigned counsel, managed assigned counsel, and capital attorneys is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 11. The registration deadline for private attorneys and others is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22. Please plan on attending all sessions.
FEE: There is no registration fee for this course.
Credit & Certification: The program offers 5.50 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credit (pending Bar approval).
Hotel Information: A block of rooms is available at Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (1742 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill, NC) with a rate of $121 plus taxes and fees. The rate includes complimentary breakfast, parking, and free Wi-F-. To reserve a room, book here or call the hotel directly at 919-291-7200 and mention group code “CIT” or “Capacity Issues Training.” The hotel reservation deadline is March 15, 2024.
TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT—IDS STATE EMPLOYEES ONLY: Contact Shannon Simmons, IDS Accounts Payable Supervisor, at [email protected]. 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: We look forward to seeing you in April. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Kayla Fowler at [email protected]. If you have questions regarding the content, contact Phil Dixon, Jr., Director of Public Defense Education, 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.
