SUSTAIN - A Virtual Program

Sustaining in federal defense is uniquely challenging for attorneys of color. Attorneys of color practice within legal institutions historically steeped in systematic racism. In addition to the substantive work itself, the impact of the overrepresentation of people of color as defendants at every level of the criminal legal system, the historically non-diverse legal culture nationwide, and the daily slights and offenses many experience from colleagues, court, jails, prosecutors and more make sustaining in this work a daily struggle for many. Nevertheless, attorneys of color must professionally excel despite explicit and implicit bias-soaked barriers hindering them from doing so.

The SUSTAIN program is designed to assist attorneys of color as they endeavor to sustain long-term in federal defense and encourage them to share personal experiences, learn from each other, and strategize to create lasting and fulfilling careers in federal defense.

This year, SUSTAIN will be a two-part virtual program held on December 3, 2024, and February 11, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. Attendees should plan to attend both parts of this virtual program in its entirety.