Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Office of the Public Defender

Public Defender Sellitti to Participate in National Association for Public Defense’s Virtual Women’s Conference

Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti will take the stage at the National Association for Public Defense’s (NAPD) Virtual Women’s Conference on December 5 to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing women leaders in public defense. During the plenary session, titled “Head of State” and moderated by Heather Pinckney, Sellitti will join a distinguished panel of women leaders who head state-wide public defender offices, including Elizabeth Miller, Heather Cessna, and Natasha Dartigue.

This session will highlight the personal experiences, insights, and strategies these accomplished leaders have developed to navigate the gender-specific obstacles in the legal field. By bringing together a panel of accomplished women leaders in public defense, this session aims to provide valuable insights, inspire future generations of women attorneys, and foster a more inclusive and equitable legal profession.

The theme of this year’s Virtual Women’s Conference, “We Are The Ones We’ve Been Waiting For,” is a celebration of advocacy, empowerment, and professional development. The conference will feature a variety of workshops, networking opportunities, self-care events, and celebrations designed to support attendees in reaching both their personal and professional goals.

Key focus areas this year include:

  • Professional Growth & Leadership – sessions that help participants develop their leadership voice or facilitating professional/personal growth
  • Well-Being and Self-Care – sessions that prioritize wellness and self-care within the public defense community
  • Representing Women, Families, Children – sessions that center around the circumstances, challenges, and celebrations of representing women, families and children
  • Intersectionality and Connecting Our Stories – sessions amplifying when our voices are marginalized in the communities we serve
  • Women and Racial Justice – sessions centering around the pursuit of racial justice and equality

To learn more and RSVP, click here.