Staff & Intern News
Staff News
Our Office Partnered with NAPD for DEIB and Wellness Training
Our office held two important staff trainings in April with facilitators and instructors from the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD). On April 1 and 2, all staff convened to work on fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the office and in our work with clients. The program followed several months of preparation with surveys, individual and group meetings with staff, and consultations with leadership. On April 30, the office again welcomed NAPD for a full-day program on professional well-being and sustainability, covering such topics as trauma-informed practice, improving collaborative communication with colleagues and clients, and best practices for creating and maintaining a welcoming work environment.
This April, members from our office attended the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) 2025 Leadership Institute in Indianapolis, IN. Attendees included Tacoma supervisor, and AFD Heather Carroll, CJA Panel Administrator Tamar Singleton, Administrative Officer Joel Spears, and Chief Paralegal Patricia Stordeur.
The event was comprised of a series of lectures and workshops designed to educate and stimulate discussion on being/becoming an effective leader in public defense.
FPD staff had the opportunity to learn from highly knowledgeable NAPD facilitators and to connect with others in leadership roles in public defender offices around the country. The institute offered training in the form of firsthand accounts/testimonials, on effective media relations for public defender offices, and on best practices for working with other governmental agencies to improve and develop better conditions for clients.
Attending staff learned excellent new skills and methods for supporting their colleagues in their work, and they are excited to put these lessons into practice.
When not partaking in the institute curriculum, FPD staff toured the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, which is highly recommended as a destination for anyone traveling to Indianapolis.
Intern News
Former legal interns Aaliah Condon and Johan Christensen, who are both 3Ls at Seattle University, School of Law, participated in a mock trial as part of their Trial Advocacy class, which is taught by former Seattle AFD Mohammad Hamoudi. Seattle AFD Sara Brin and Chief Investigator Stacey Brownstein assisted as a witness and the plaintiff. Unfortunately for our team, the verdict was returned in favor of the defense.
Legal Intern Update:
Kristen Ferkich, our former intern who interned with us last Fall while a Seattle University, 3L wanted to share with the office that she accepted a post-bar offer with the LA County Public Defender’s Office. Congratulations to Kristen!