Lessons Learned from Defender Leaders

Reflections from a Center for Holistic Defense support recipient

Bringing social workers into our program transformed our approach to criminal defense work. They have moved us from being reactive to proactive. Before, it was common for us to find out what kind of problems our clients have and wonder what, if anything, we can do. Now, we engage in genuine accompaniment. Social Workers help us work in partnership with our clients to discover solutions that both fit their needs and help their criminal case. I never want to practice without a social worker on the team.

James McDermott
Chief Defender,
Far West Texas Regional
Public Defender