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.
Two Webinars: On the changes to adult guardianship proceedings resulting from Session Law 2023-124
Please join School of Government faculty members Timothy Heinle and Meredith Smith as they host two webinars in December that will highlight changes to adult guardianship proceedings resulting from Session Law 2023-124.
Please see below for specific details about the webinars and to register for each.
December 7, 2023: Practical Considerations for Implementing Session Law 2023-124 and the Notice of Rights for Respondents and Wards
Session Law 2023-124 creates the new G.S. 35A-1117 which entitles respondents and wards to notice of nearly twenty enumerated rights. With this notice of rights comes new responsibilities for guardian ad litems, clerks of superior court, and petitioners. In this webinar, we will anticipate challenges and consider solutions to satisfy the requirements and purpose of the law. Please view the webinar course page for more information and to register for the session on December 7.
December 14, 2023: Meaningful Consideration of Less Restrictive Alternatives to Guardianship under Session Law 2023-124
Recent changes to North Carolina’s guardianship laws make clear that an adult or emancipated minor does not lack capacity (and is therefore not incompetent) if a less restrictive alternative to guardianship enables them to manage their affairs and make and communicate important decisions about themselves and their property. This webinar will discuss these recent changes, identify examples of less restrictive alternatives, facilitate participant generated ideas for implementing these alternatives, identify open questions and anticipated challenges, and highlight how these changes impact the duties of clerks and guardian ad litem attorneys. Please view the webinar course page for more information and to register for the session on December 14.
PARTICIPANTS: Both sessions are open to elected, assistant, and deputy clerks of superior court, G.S. Chapter 35A guardian ad litem attorneys, and county department of social services attorneys and social workers.
REGISTRATION: Please note, these trainings will be offered as separate webinars – you will be required to register for each one. Please click here to register for the session on December 7. To register for the session of December 14, please click here. Pre-registration is required.
CLE: Each training will qualify for 1.25 hours of general CLE credit, pending approval from the NC State Bar. Attorneys seeking CLE credit will need to report and file to the Bar individually.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We hope you will be able to join us for these updates. If you have questions about the December 7 training, please contact Karli Wilson at [email protected].
If you have questions about the December 14 training, please contact Michael Spinosi at [email protected].
If you would like more information regarding the content of the trainings, please contact Timothy Heinle at [email protected] or Meredith Smith at [email protected].
