Brunswick, GA – During its spring training, Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) welcomed Circuit Public Defenders (CPDs) from across the state for leadership development, technology updates, and the swearing-in of new Atlantic Judicial Circuit CPD Joshua Brockington.

“This spring marks my fifth year leading this agency since being appointed by Governor Brian Kemp,” Executive Director Omotayo Alli said in her opening remarks. “These changes are designed to better support you in representing our clients.”

Capital Division Overhaul

The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) announced reforms to its Capital Division and broader agency operations earlier this month, continuing innovations in client-centered justice and operational efficiency.

Chief Counsel Natalie Glaser unveiled a restructured model for managing death penalty cases, emphasizing early intervention, local engagement, and support.

Under the new approach:

• Circuit offices will work closely with the Capital Defender Division’s Early Intervention Unit to identify potential death penalty cases.
• To ensure stronger local ties, Capital Division attorneys will serve as the first chair and circuit attorneys as the second chair.
• Second chairs must have prior murder trial experience and complete 10 hours of annual capital case training.

A full-time Capital Division director with no caseload will manage the division, oversee budgets, and supervise staff.

“This is about reducing caseloads and increasing impact,” Glaser said. “With local involvement, we’ll build stronger relationships with courts and communities—and better serve our clients.”

Training and Accountability

GPDC also announced expanded training opportunities for future CPDs, including Budget and HR instruction during the summer conference for chief assistant public defenders.

Joy Walker, Client Services and Compliance Manager, led a session on client-centered service. She reviewed GPDC’s protocols for responding to client concerns and emphasized that tone, empathy, and follow-through are central to public trust.

“You are ambassadors of justice,” Walker told attendees. “Every interaction is a chance to rebuild trust in the defense system.”

Data, Technology, and Operations

Deputy Director D’Andre Berry emphasized that GPDC’s case management system, JCATS, is only as effective as the data entered into it.

“We only get out what we put in,” Berry said.

The summer conference will include advanced JCATS training. GPDC is also working with its vendor to resolve storage and system timeout issues and improve discovery uploads, Berry said.

Other initiatives include:

• Enhancing accuracy in conflict authorization reporting.
• Updating the status of appeals through cooperation with local circuit clerks.
• Using JCATS reports to analyze circuit office performance for upcoming budget cycles.
• Integrating Laserfiche software to streamline client applications and reduce administrative burden.

Alli stressed the importance of data.

“Our case management system must accurately reflect the scope of our client representation,” Alli said. “Robust data and documentation are essential to gauging our performance.”

Media and Community Engagement

Don Plummer, GPDC’s Media and Community Engagement Liaison and a former reporter, led a session urging CPDs to be proactive with media and visible in their communities.

“Public defenders must not remain silent,” Plummer said. “Engaging the media ensures our clients are fairly represented and the public better understands the role of public defense attorneys.”

Plummer advised against “no comment” responses and encouraged CPDs to cultivate long-term relationships with local media, civic groups, and schools.

“Show up consistently so people see your commitment,” he said.

Involvement in their communities – especially with young people – is crucial, Plummer said. “Involving youth today builds the next generation of public defenders and informed citizens.”

Looking Ahead

Alli urged the attorneys to embrace innovation and collaboration as the agency works to modernize its services and expand access to quality legal defense.

“We are leading innovations in indigent defense—for sustainable change,” Alli said. “And we’re doing it together.”

GPDC was founded by the Georgia General Assembly in 2003. Approximately 85 percent of all state criminal cases in Georgia are handled by GPDC’s 400+ attorneys operating in public defender offices across Georgia. Learn more at www.gapubdef.org.