2026 Summer Public Defense Conference: Full Schedule

12:00pm EDT

CONFERENCE CHECK IN & Badge Pickup

Monday July 20, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Monday July 20, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
UGA CHAPEL

1:20pm EDT

Welcome & Hot Off the Bench: Trends, Decisions, and What They Mean for Public Defenders.

Monday July 20, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Moderators

Justice Verda M. Colvin was appointed to the Supreme Court on July 20, 2021, by Gov. Brian Kemp. She is the first African-American female appointed by a Republican governor to the state’s high court.
Previously, she served on the Court of Appeals, having been appointed by Gov... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EDT
UGA CHAPEL

ALL

2:20pm EDT

The F-Word: Giving the GIFT of Feedback

Monday July 20, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Speakers

Ama Agyapong

Monday July 20, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm EDT
UGA CHAPEL

ALL

9:00am EDT

Welcome & Remarks

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Speakers

Omotayo Alli

Tony Waller

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
UGA CHAPEL

ALL

9:45am EDT

The Price of Mercy

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Speakers

Emily Galvin-Almanza

Executive Director, Partners for Justice

Emily Galvin Almanza is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Partners for Justice, a nonprofit creating a new collaborative model designed to empower public defenders nationwide. Prior to co-founding PFJ, Emily fought for clients inside the LA County Public Defender, Santa Clara... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
UGA CHAPEL

ALL

10:45am EDT

BREAK

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am EDT
UGA CHAPEL

ALL

11:00am EDT

Rooted: Grounded in Work That Can Shake You

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Speakers

Tashun Bowden

CEO & Founder, The Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group

TaShun Bowden-Lewis, Esq. is a criminal defense expert, esteemed speaker, personal & executive coach, catalyst for change, and the CEO & Founder of The Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group, LLC. With almost 30 years dedicated to working in public defense, culminating in her historic 2022... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
UGA CHAPEL

ALL

12:00pm EDT

From Hello to Farewell

Tuesday July 21, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

UGA CHAPEL

Speakers

Vera Moore

Customer Service, GPDC

Customer Service - I can help clarify information, address concerns, provide updates, direct requests to the appropriate department, and ensure issues are documented and followed up on in a timely manner.