2026 Summer Public Defense Conference: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal 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

Speakers

Natalie Glaser

Natalie Glaser is a Deputy Director and the Chief Legal Officer for the Georgia Public Defender Council. Ms. Glaser advises the Agency regarding any legal, policy or legislative matters. She also oversees the Training Division, the Capital Division, the Conflict Division, the Appellate... Read More →

Justice Verda Colvin

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 →

2026 GPDC Summer Public Defense Conference Final Copy pptx

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

Inclusion Enterprises

Ama Agyapong, CEO and Principal Training
Strategist for Inclusion Enterprises, is a
Speaker, Master Facilitator, certified EEOC
investigator, and talented senior-level
consultant with 15 years of progressive
leadership experience in human resources,
strategic planning, program developm... Read More →

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

Omotayo B. Alli, JD, MPA, SPHR is the Executive Director of the Georgia Public Defender Council and leads the agency statewide. An experienced public defender, she brings proven skills to enhance the effectiveness and quality of legal representation for indigent persons. Her goal... Read More →

Tony Waller

Anthony E. "Tony" Waller presently serves as the assistant dean for career development at the University of Georgia School of Law. He joined the School of Law in 2015 as the school's director of public sector career advising and bar exam success programming, and he has been responsible... Read More →

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-Lewis

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 →

Grounded in Work That Can Shake YOU pdf

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

ALL