National Legal Aid and Defender Association
@nlada
Advancing Civil and Criminal Justice since 1911
Join us on Thursday, September 24, in Washington, D.C., for NLADA's annual Exemplar Awards Gala! Purchase your tickets today and be a part of an inspiring evening of celebration, networking, and shared commitment to expanding access to justice. Register today: https://bit.pulse.ly/tiyjjltkyv
Need a place to stay during the NLADA Annual Conference in November? Consider staying in our room block at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton! Reserve your spot by October 12 to enjoy a discounted rate on-site for the Conference. For more info, visit bit.ly/4gDaHGP
Are you a chief defender, deputy chief, or emerging senior leader within your public defense org? Join ACCD on 8/20 at 1 p.m. ET for a discussion on Self-Care for Sustained Leadership, featuring practical tools, candid dialogue, and strategic insight. 🔗: tinyurl.com/3s9k6udk
Think meditation isn't for you? You're not alone. Join us tomorrow for a conversation about what mindfulness actually is (and what it isn't)—to dispel common misconceptions and discover practical ways to incorporate it into everyday activities. 🔗: bit.ly/4shRkp3
Early bird rates for the NLADA Annual Conference in St. Louis are now available! Join us November 4-7 for a pivotal, restorative, and eye-opening conference that brings together public defenders, civil legal aid providers, client and community advocates, and more. Register today: bit.ly/4gDaHGP
We're elated to announce that this year's Exemplar Award Honorees are @relativity.com and its Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Adam Weiss! They will receive the honor at this year's Exemplar Awards Gala, taking place on September 24 in Washington, DC. 🔗: bit.ly/4vJjMli
Early Bird Registration for the 2026 NLADA Annual Conference is now open! Reserve your seat at the field's largest gathering of leaders in civil legal aid, client and community advocacy, and public defense. Reserve your spot today at the lowest rate: https://bit.pulse.ly/nwiy2evuaf
Whitney’s story illustrates many ways in which Virginia’s system of public defender counsel fees and other court fees lacks transparency and imposes unnecessary burdens on individuals and families. This system is broken, and it’s time to fix it. Watch the full video: youtu.be/qTE0FJIf3pQ
We want to extend a huge thank you to our sponsor for sponsoring our Lit Leaders Welcome Reception last Wednesday! Your support helps bring together leaders in civil legal aid and civil rights to connect, collaborate, and strengthen our advocacy community. https://shorturl.pulse.ly/q9nltl9b9b
Major changes to federal student loan programs took effect on July 1. For legal aid attorneys and public defenders who rely on PSLF, these changes create uncertainty at a time when the justice gap continues to widen. We're responding—but we need you! Support the future of PSLF: bit.ly/GiveToNLADA
Today is the day that governance nominations close! Nominate a colleague or yourself for at least one of many governance positions at NLADA: Board of Directors and the Civil, Client, and Defender Councils. We need justice for all! Make your voice heard: https://bit.pulse.ly/jwqgbflj88
Roughly 400,000 Americans are sitting in jail waiting for trial. Around 2 people die waiting for it daily. Join us on July 16 for a conversation on pretrial detention and solutions to address the ballooning crisis taking place in America's jails. Register for free: https://bit.pulse.ly/8zop8wuzyu
Do you know someone in our field who is passionate about leadership, advocacy, and advancing meaningful change? Governance positions are available on the Board of Directors and the Civil, Client, and Defender Councils. Submit your nomination online by July 7. Learn more: bit.ly/4uu2DeN
The honorees will accept the award at the 2026 NLADA Exemplar Awards Gala on September 24 in Washington, DC. Register for this year's Exemplar Awards Gala here: www.nlada.org/gala2026
🔴 PRESS RELEASE: We're pleased to announce that 33 law firms will be honored with the 2026 Beacon of Justice Award for their exceptional commitment to protecting democracy and civil society through pro bono legal service! Learn more about this year's honorees: https://bit.pulse.ly/fzeth2dvpq
🔴 PRESS RELEASE: Last month, general counsel and chief legal officers from over 100 of America's largest corporations sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to fully fund @legalservicescorp.bsky.social in FY27. Read more: https://bit.pulse.ly/l15odz77w8
Nominations are open for the 2026 NLADA Annual Conference Awards Program! Submit your noms by Friday, July 31, 2026 to uplift your colleagues, clients, and fellow advocates. Individuals or organizations must be NLADA members to submit nominations. Learn more: bit.ly/4uO0hrn
2026 NLADA Elections Are Under Way! Did you check your mail? You are invited to participate in shaping the future of NLADA. Nomination Deadline: July 7. Learn more and submit your noms today: https://nlada.pulse.ly/g6xmogfpal #2026NLADAElections #Nominate #GoGreen #Sustainability
Recent funding challenges for #A2J initiatives have left many wondering what their next step will be. Join us next Friday at 3 pm ET for a community discussion on how these challenges affect our work, along with strategies to find more funding and general support. Register here: bit.ly/4i0cBQp
Are you interested in supporting the future of public defense? We're looking for people who want to fight poverty and advance justice by empowering communities through capacity-building services. Applications due May 1. Open in MI, NY, and TX. Learn more: bit.ly/4sS3Mw9
Our next Drop-In Discussion is happening tomorrow at 3 pm ET! Join NLADA and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid's Fawn Pettet to discuss practical de-escalation techniques and safety structures that help staff respond effectively when a client interaction escalates. Register: bit.ly/4shRkp3
ATTENTION #EJC26 ATTENDEES: Today is the last day to claim CLE credit for sessions you attended! Visit our Learning Lab no later than 5 p.m. ET today to ensure you're up to date with your state bar's standards. Get more info and claim your credits TODAY: https://bit.pulse.ly/jeparcsehe
From training sessions to community discussions, NLADA events bring together top leaders in equal justice. Join us for conferences, webinars, and programs that celebrate those making a real impact in advancing justice. Don’t miss out! Learn more: www.nlada.org/events
At a time when the justice gap is widening and resources are shrinking, investing in the people on the front lines of equal justice has never been more important. Donate today to help more members of the equal justice community attend next year’s EJC: bit.ly/49WmUlG
RFPs for #NLADA26 are closing on Friday! Submit your session proposals by May 22 to make your voice heard at this year's Annual Conference, taking place from November 4-7 in St. Louis, MO. Get more info on and submit today: bit.ly/4rVExZ8
From this year's panelists and plenary speakers to our guests and everybody in between, our community is most powerful when we come together and work as one. We'll be sharing more highlights throughout the week, so stay tuned!
Alongside @americanbar.org, we want to thank all of our attendees for coming to #EJC26! Over the past several days, advocates, legal aid professionals, pro bono leaders, and partners from across the country came together to learn, collaborate, and recommit to advancing equal justice.
Our final award, the Nan Heald Innovations in Equal Justice Award recognizes creativity and perseverance in advancing equal justice. This year's winner, @ncmlp.bsky.social, built the medical-legal partnership model to embed legal professionals into health care teams to address civil legal issues.
Our second award, the NAPBPRO William Reece Smith Jr. Special Services to Pro Bono Award, recognizes a Pro Bono Professional who elevates, enhances, or simplifies the work of the pro bono professionals and volunteer attorneys. This year's recipient is also Community Legal Service's Lena Hopkins.
Our first award, the NAPBPRO Tanya Neiman Pro Bono Professional of the Year Award, recognizes a Pro Bono Professional who has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to civil pro bono services delivery, achieving outstanding results. This year's recipient is Community Legal Service's Lena Hopkins.