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Public Defense Training Academy

 


 

Mission Statement

The Mission of the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Public Defense Training Academy is to ensure that a competent defense along with a support system of services are provided for those accused of crimes and unable to afford legal counsel.

Vision Statement

To become the foundation of criminal defense training across the United States.

About Us

The changing nature of public defense continues to evolve, adapt, and develop. Therefore, Louisiana is making the effort to improve its justice system. On May 31, 2022, Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law Senate Bill 206 which calls for the Louisiana Public Defender Board (LPDB) to contract with the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) to develop, produce, and train public defenders across the state.

ULM will be required to consult with the legal experts and by using their specific skills and interest in public defense, they will ‘fill-in’ the gaps for between clients and their respective lawyers by hosting training sessions.

ULM along with the State of Louisiana have chosen to focus on five broad categories for these trainings:

PDTA Schedule

Training Session Date Time

Grant Writing: Laying the Foundation (Zoom) 

March 15th, 2023 

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Obtaining Records (Zoom) 

March 22nd, 2023 

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Motions (ULM)  

March 24th, 2023 

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Grant Writing: Building the Narrative (Zoom) 

April 5th, 2023 

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Sexual Assault Cases (ULM) 

April 18th, 2023 

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Grant Writing: Evaluating and Reporting on Grant Funded Projects (Zoom) 

April 19th, 2023 

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Substance Use Impact Criminal Defense (Zoom) 

May 10th, 2023 

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Argument (ULM) 

May 16th, 2023 

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Report Writing for the Court (Zoom) 

May 17th, 2023 

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

 

Contact: Office of Innovation and Research | Sandel Hall | 318-342-1410

 

Hanser, Robert

Principal Investigator

Strauss Hall 216

(318) 342-1443

hanser@ulm.edu

 

Hawkins, Ashley

Project Manager

Sandel 308

(318) 342-1410

hawkinam@warhawks.ulm.edu

 

Noel, Bob

Lead Counsel

 

 

 

 

Sutherlin, John

Compliance Officer

Sandel 308

(318) 342-1413

sutherlin@ulm.edu

 

Thameling, Carl

Communications

Walker 2-125

(318) 342-3184

thameling@ulm.edu

 

Harris, Courtney

Public Administration

Strauss Hall

coharris@ulm.edu

 

Hersey, Leigh

Public Administration

Strauss Hall 166

(318) 342-1332

hersey@ulm.edu

 

Horne, Anissa

Social Work

Strauss Hall 229

(318) 342-1129

horne@ulm.edu

 

Saulsberry, Pamela

Social Work

Sandel Hall 200

(318) 342-1445

saulsberry@ulm.edu

 

 

 

 


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