Persist: Women in Federal Criminal Defense

Women are a powerful force within the federal defense community: from serving as receptionists, paralegals and investigators to mitigation specialists, trial lawyers and appellate attorneys—women are key players in every aspect of federal criminal defense. Regardless of the one’s assigned role, women are fierce defenders of our clients. 

PERSIST, formerly known as GRIT, is a virtual program aimed at providing a safe space where advocates can build community, re-group, re-focus, and prepare to persist in federal criminal defense, while serving federal clients and achieving long-term career goals in federal practice.

Persist will be held virtually, on March 11-12, 2026, in honor of Women’s History Month. This two-day virtual program will be held from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants will gather online to attend daily plenaries, concurrent sessions and small group huddles. Throughout the programing, attendees will share ideas for building community, strengthening the group’s collective resilience, and achieving positive outcomes for clients and our individual careers. PERSIST will also aim to create an environment to confront the difficult realities women in federal criminal defense face and inspire women to carry on in the work on behalf and for the betterment of our clients. A program agenda will be forthcoming. However, topics covered will include the history of women in federal criminal defense, finding one’s voice in the courtroom and office, understanding and achieving equity in the office, courtroom and legal community, as well as navigating and achieving one’s career objectives in federal defender offices, on CJA panels and beyond. 

This program is open to everyone. Yes, that means heads of offices, administrative officers, attorneys, investigators, legal assistants, paralegals, and literally all defense professionals working under the Criminal Justice Act. Past attendees have called it “essential” and “transformative,” with many saying the experience should be “mandatory.” We invite you to join us in this program as we collectively endeavor to persist in our fight for justice!