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The goal of the Task Force on Public Defense Independence is to protect and strengthen independence and enhance the public’s understanding of the critical role public defense independence plays in ensuring a fair and just criminal legal system.

The Task Force is a project of the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section and Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (ABA SCLAID), in partnership with the National Association for Public Defense

Members

Co-Chairs

  • Keisha Hudson, Chief Defender, Defender Association of Philadelphia
  • Malia Brink, Senior Policy Attorney, Deason Criminal Justice Center, SMU Dedman School of Law

Task Force Members

Advisory Board Members

  • Chesa Boudin, Executive Director, Criminal Law & Justice Center
  • Rene Valladeres, Federal Public Defender, District of Nevada
  • Martin Sabelli, Past-President, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Galit Lipa, State Public Defender, California
  • Pamela Metzger, Executive Director, Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, SMU Dedman School of Law
  • Danny Engleberg, Chief Defender, Orleans Public Defenders
  • Ricardo Garcia, Chief Public Defender, Los Angeles, CA
  • Elizabeth Cadiz, Chief Public Defender, Aurora, CO