The Class of 2009 at the Summer Institute
Comments from the Class
“I did not want to come to SPDTC Boot camp and now I don’t want to leave. This program is AMAZING. I am not just a better public defender for having participated in this program, I am a better person. While this is rather cliché, SPDTC and the Class of 2009 changed my life; simply saying thank you just won’t due . . . but from the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul I thank you for choosing me to be a member of this incredible community and a part of the civil rights movement of the 21st Century. I’ll see you in the trenches where we will fight the good fight . . . and we will win.”
“SPDTC has been an integral force in my public defender training. I am so thankful for your funding…for giving me the opportunity to experience some of the best lawyers in the country. This program is invaluable. Without it, some new attorneys would never have adequate training. SPDTC is the heart of public defense work in the South! Thank you for supporting our movement . . . our desire . . . our passion! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this. You have changed not only who I am as a lawyer but who I am as a person. This experience is life-changing. You have caused a ripple effect. You taught us how to take all of this home and spread it to our clients. You are changing lives and indirectly helping so many people throughout the South. I cannot imagine how much work it was to organize this but I know you have some GREAT karma coming your way. Thank you for being the voice of my client and awaking me to what it means to be a good attorney.”
“I loved EVERYTHING! Preparing and trying the Mitchell Reed Case was especially helpful. Incredible faculty! Nice facilities, and just overall phenomenal program. The SPDTC has truly changed my life and how I view this work that I do. What a privilege to stand with the voiceless and defenseless. What an honor it is to be a PD!”
“I could not have come to the SPDTC this summer without a scholarship. In Mississippi, we do not have a statewide public defender system and do not have the support to further the cause and support the development of the best attorneys. Clients, Community, Cause – That is the concept of the SPDTC, a concept that Jon Rapping exposed for us. Not only did I learn trial skills and how to best represent those without a voice, but I am now a member of a community.”
SPDTC is pleased to introduce the Class of 2009
Brandy Alexander is from Oviedo, FL, and is currently working in the Clayton County Public Defender Office in Jonesboro, GA. She earned her law degree from the University of Florida.
James Carrington is originally from Madeville, LA, and is practicing at the Orleans Public Defender in New Orleans, LA. He earned his J.D. from Tulane University Law School.
Gregory Carter is from Wellsville, OH, and is a lawyer at the Orleans Public Defender. He earned his law degree from the University of Cinnicinati.
Aaron Clark-Rizzio is from Portland, OR, and is currently practicing at Orleans Public Defender. He earned his degree from New York University.
J. Antonio Florence is from Tifton, GA, and earned his J.D. from Loyola University School of Law. He is a public defender at the Office of the District Public Defender Caddo Parish in Shreveport, LA.
Melissa Franklin is originally from Fort Thomas, KY. She earned her law degree from the University of Tennessee, and is a public defender at the Knox County Public Defender Community Law Office in Knoxville, TN.
Nghana Lewis Gauff is from Lafayette, LA. She earned her PhD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. from Loyola University College of Law. She is a public defender in St. John the Baptist Parish, LaPlace, LA.
Sonia Gupta is from Cade, LA, and earned her law degree for Loyola University College of Law. She is a public defender at the Orleans Public Defender.
June Hardwick is from Jackson, MS and is a public defender at the Hinds County Public Defender Office in Jackson. She earned her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law.
Angel Harris is from Winter Garden, FL and earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a public defender at the Orleans Public Defender.
Heather Hendrix is from Shreveport, LA. She is currently practicing at the Orleans Public Defender. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School.
Michaela Himes is a public defender in Dallas, TX. She earned her J.D. from Southern Methodist University and is originally from San Antonio, TX.
Martesha Johnson is a public defender at the Metropolitan Nashville Public Defenders Office in Nashville, TN. She is originally from Whites Creek, TN and earned her law degree from University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Alissa Jones is from West Palm Beach, FL. She earned her law degree from Emory University and PhD from SUNY Buffalo. She is a public defender at the Atlanta Fulton County Public Defender Office in Atlanta, GA.
Elizabeth Jones is originally from Louisville, KY. She earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a public defender a the Orleans Public Defender.
Kerii Landry-Thomas is from Lafayette, LA, and earned her J.D. from Southern University Law Center. She is a public defender at the East Baton Rouge Office of the Public Defender in Baton Rouge, LA.
Carlotta Lepingwell is from Cambridge, MA. She earned her law degree from the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. She is a public defender at the Orleans Public Defender.
Sandra Mayson is from Philadelphia, PA. She earned her law degree from New York University. She is a public defender at the Orleans Public Defender.
Ashley Palmer is a public defender at the Clayton County Public Defenders Office. She is originally from Chattanooga, TN. She earned her law degree from Vanderbilt University.
Jennie Pitts is originally from Charlottesville, VA. She earned her J.D. from Mississippi College. She is a public defender at the Hinds County Public Defender in Jackson, MS.
Richard Silver is originally from Decatur, GA. He earned his law degree from the University of Misssissippi. He is a public defender at the Hall County Public Defender Office in Gainesville, GA.
Jessica Stern is a public defender at the Atlanta Fulton County Public Defender Office in Atlanta, GA. She is originally from Parkland, FL. She earned her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law.
Ariel Test is originally from Fresno, CA and earned her law degree from U.C. Hastings College of Law. She is a public defender at the Orleans Public Defender in New Orleans, LA.
Jerrod Thompson-Hicks earned his law degree from New York University. He is originally from Chula Vista, CA. He is a public defender at the Orleans Public Defender
Sierra Van Borst is from Del Mar, CA. She is a public defender at the Orleans Public Defender. She earned her law degree from New York University.
Emily Voshell is a public defender in the Orleans Public Defender in New Orleans, LA. She is originally from Brooklandville, MD, and earned her law degree from New York University.
David Williams is from Alexandria, LA. He earned his J.D. from Southern University and is a public defender at the LaSalle Parish Public Defender Office in Jena, LA.
Tiffany Williams is from Lithia Springs, GA. She earned her law degree from Georgia State University and is a public defender at the Atlanta Fulton County Public Defender Office in Atlanta, GA.
Travis Williams is a public defender at the Hall County Public Defender Office in Gainesville, GA. He is originally from Pompano Beach, FL and earned his law degree from the University of Georgia.
Cassandra Winslow is a public defender at the Charleston County Public Defender Office in Charleston, SC. She is from Cooperstown, NY and earned her J.D. from Charleston School of Law.
