Professional Development

Our programs impart essential skills and knowledge to new public defenders and experienced attorneys in Georgia.

Our legal training approach

The GPDC is committed to creating and maintaining the best public defender system in the United States. Consistent with this commitment is the vision to ensure that Georgia’s public defenders are the best trained advocates for indigent defendants in the country. GPDC is actively working to enhance its training program to meet two specific goals:
  • 1. Attract the highest quality applicants to the Georgia public defender system
  • 2. Create a population of lawyers who will exemplify the values and standards we set for our public defender system

We offer a variety of training opportunities throughout the year for our public defenders and are open on a space-available basis to other members of the legal community.

Newly licensed public defenders participate in an initial, two-phase intensive training designed to introduce the public defender to the fundamentals of pre-trial practice and trial skills. Our programs for experienced attorneys cover the gamut of current legal practice that our public defenders need, such as updates on forensic science, juvenile delinquency, appellate practice, and DUI.
In addition to onsite training, we offer several webinars throughout the year to ensure that public defenders can access quality training, notwithstanding their busy schedules.

Contact Professional Development

Trish McCann Bertram
Professional Development Director
tmccann-bertram@gapubdef.org

Upcoming trainings

Wednesdays, 3:10 – 4 PM ET

NAPD: Be Well Wednesdays

  • Everyone working in public defense is invited. Drop-in for any session. Stay for all or part of the session. Always free. 
  • No registration required. Zoom Link  Meeting ID: 301 833 3193, Passcode: BeWellPD 
On-Demand, No CLE

NAPD Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webinar Series

Part 1: PSFL Basics – video, materials
Part 2: Limited PSLF Waiver – video, materials
Part 3: Managing Repayment – video, materials
Part 4: Loan Forgiveness Q & A – video, materials

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