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!

Click HERE to sign up.

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.

Click HERE to sign up.

Events

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Today

  • CLE on Lawful Use of Defensive Force

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free to attend CLE on Lawful Use of Defensive Force. Pending approval by the NC State Bar, this CLE is for 2 general hours If you […]

  • 2023 Spring Public Defender Conference

    This year’s conference will be held in person May 10-12, 2023, at the Winston-Salem Benton Convention Center (301 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101).

  • 2023 Death Penalty Seminar

    The annual 2023 Death Penalty Seminar begins April 27. This is an in-person seminar only. The location is the Doubletree RDU Hotel at Research Triangle Park, 4810 Page Creek Lane, Durham. There are two events for the seminar. Each part requires a separate fee. The first part is Thursday evening, April 27, 2023. The hotel […]

  • Deadline to register for the 2023 Spring PD Conference!

    The deadline to register for the 2023 Spring Public Defender Conference closes APRIL 26 at 5 p.m. Click here to access the course page and agenda.  This conference is cosponsored by the School of Government, the Office of Indigent Defense Services, and the NC Association of Public Defenders. The conference will offer approximately 13.75 hours of […]

  • CLE on Mental Health and Stress Resilience for Attorneys

    The Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office is hosting a free to attend CLE on Mental Health and Stress Resilience for Attorneys. Pending approval by the NC State Bar, this CLE is for 1 mental health/substance abuse hour. If you need CLE credit, you must fill out the post-cle survey and the NC State Bar will charge you $3.50/hour. Please register at […]

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    The Role of the Youth Defender

    Featured

    Join State Juvenile Defender Eric Zogry and other youth defenders as we explore the “Role of the Youth Defender.” This training is the second session offered in our Back-to-Basics Virtual Series! Mr. Zogry will cover topics including:  As youth defenders, are we expressed interest advocates or best interest advocates? How do we interact with the […]

  • The IRP-Interdisciplinary Representation Program

    Attention Parent Defenders: The IRP-Interdisciplinary Representation Program essentially places contract social workers with parent attorneys (at their request) in the same manner that the DSS social worker is assigned to the child. The IRP social worker is considered a part of the attorney’s legal team and the attorney client privilege would extend to them while […]

  • Apply to become a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Welfare Law

    The 2023 application process to become a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Welfare Law is now open though the NC State Bar. The announcement and details are below. There are scholarships available for the cost of the application and exam. If you want more information about using a scholarship, please email Denise Mullen at [email protected] and […]