WASHINGTON (October 29, 2026) — The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference in St. Louis, November 4–7. Legal aid attorneys, public defenders and community advocates from across the country will gather to discuss how to protect people's rights and ensure access to legal help amid funding cuts and changing policies.
The conference will feature several St. Louis-area leaders, including Mayor Cara Spencer and Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation. NLADA will also honor Dan Glazier, a longtime leader at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, for his decades of service.
“We are proud to bring NLADA’s Annual Conference to St. Louis, a city with a rich history of community leadership and advocacy,” said April Frazier Camara, President and CEO of NLADA. “That spirit reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has access to quality legal representation. We look forward to building on that legacy as we work together to advance equal justice for all.”
The conference begins Wednesday, November 4, with NLADA’s Meeting of the Members, where St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer will deliver remarks. The program will also feature The Legacy of East St. Louis: Why Cultural Humility Matters in Legal Services. Representatives from Land of Lincoln Legal Aid and local community organizations will discuss how working with schools, healthcare providers and community leaders helps attorneys better understand and meet the needs of people who need assistance.
On Thursday, November 5, Rev. Johnson-Javois will deliver the opening keynote address. She will be followed by a panel discussion, The Future of Equal Justice: Prioritizing People, Pursuing Equity and Delivering Quality in the Emerging Legal Landscape. Panelists willdiscuss their vision for how to learn from current challenges to build a more effective and just legal system in the future. They will explore topics such as the use of surveillance technology, the role of government and nonprofit organizations, and the intersection of community priorities.
On Friday, November 6, NLADA will honor seven leaders whose work has helped people protect their rights, keep their homes, improve working conditions and get legal assistance.
The 2026 Annual Conference Award honorees are:
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Arthur von Briesen Award: George T. “Buck” Lewis, Shareholder, Baker Donelson, and Founder, ABA Free Legal Answers
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Denison Ray Award: Mariah Thompson, Senior Litigator, California Rural Legal Assistance
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Emery A. Brownell Award: Marco Poggio, Senior Reporter, Law360
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Mary Ellen Hamilton Award: Joy Johnson, Founder and Former Chair, Public Housing Association of Residents
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New Leaders in Advocacy Award: Katie Blum, Managing Attorney, Civil Rights Practice Group, Empire Justice Center
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Reginald Heber Smith Award: Dan Glazier, Retired Executive Director, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
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Reginald Heber Smith Award: Arthur N. Read, Of Counsel and Former General Counsel, Justice at Work
NLADA will also present the inaugural Rosita Stanley Award to Rosita Stanley's family. Stanley was a longtime member and Vice Chair of NLADA's Board of Directors. Created in her memory, the award honors community advocates who use their personal experiences to inspire others, develop new leaders and help more people speak up for their rights.
The four-day conference will include workshops, training sessions and discussions focused on helping legal aid attorneys, public defenders and community advocates better serve their communities.
For more information about the 2026 NLADA Annual Conference, visit www.nlada.org/ac26.
Media Attendance: Reporters are welcome to attend the conference's plenary session, Meeting of the Members, and awards luncheon only. Members of the media who would like to attend or arrange interviews with speakers and NLADA leadership should contact [email protected] in advance.
About NLADA: The National Legal Aid & Defender Association is the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit association dedicated to improving legal services for people who cannot afford an attorney. NLADA supports civil legal aid attorneys and public defenders and works to ensure that everyone has access to quality legal representation, regardless of income.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
