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 Education and Mental Health Series
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.
Trauma Stewardship for Self and Others
July 2025 Mental Health and Education Series:
Trauma Stewardship for Self and Others
Good for 60 Minutes of Well Being CLE Credit
***No Partial Credit Given***
Schedule: The webinar will be held on Thursday, August 21st from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Please plan to sign on 15 minutes before the start of the webinar to test your connection. The webinar includes a visual presentation, live audio, and interactive Q & A.
Individual Course Sign Up: here
Series Sign Up: here
Fee: There is no registration fee for participants.
Description: This one-hour training provides a foundational overview of trauma-what it is, how people may respond to it and how it affects us. We’ll explore the signs and symptoms of trauma exposure, including secondary trauma, and how these experiences impact the autonomic nervous system. The session also offers practical strategies that emphasize both individual accountability and organizational responsibility in supporting health and well-being. Finally, we’ll have an honest conversation about recognizing when the demands of this work may be taking too great a toll on your life-and what to do next.
Participants: This webinar is open to public defenders, private attorneys who do indigent criminal defense work, and staff.
About Presenter Carla Huff, MEd, MSW, LCSW
Carla began her career in the United States Army and has also worked as a Juvenile Court Counselor, Special Education Teacher providing support for children and adolescents diagnosed with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). She later transitioned to working at Alliance Health, a local managed care organization. Here, she covered multiple counties and led 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 currently works at Indigent Defense Services, employed through an NC IOLTA Grant. In this role, she is responsible for attorney recruitment and providing trauma-informed training to staff and contractors. Carla is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has an interest in the impact of trauma, post-traumatic stress injury in civilians and military personnel, and social determinants/drivers of health. When Carla is not working, she tries to be intentional about spending time on her own wellness which includes hiking, bicycling and kayaking.
For more information or if you have differing abilities and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Carla Huff, [email protected], 919-354-7207 or 919-888-0984.
