Holistic Defense with Prescott Loveland
In this conversation, Prescott Loveland discusses the transformative approach of holistic defense within the New Jersey Office of Public Defender.
He shares his personal journey to becoming a public defender, emphasizing the importance of understanding clients as dynamic individuals rather than just cases.
The discussion highlights the collaborative nature of holistic defense, the role of community resources, and the challenges faced in implementing this model.
Loveland also addresses the significance of measuring success in public defense and the impact of attorney wellness on effective representation.
The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring public defenders, underscoring the importance of commitment to justice work.
Takeaways Holistic defense is a collaborative approach to public defense.
Understanding clients as dynamic individuals is crucial.
Community resources play a vital role in effective defense. Organizational change in public defense is challenging but necessary.
Measuring success involves both qualitative and quantitative metrics. Public safety is enhanced through holistic defense practices.
Attorney wellness is essential for effective representation.
The role of a public defender is fundamentally about justice work.
Young lawyers should consider the dynamic nature of public defense. Internships in public defense can provide valuable insights.
Sound bites
"Organizational change is hard."
"It's about staying well as lawyers."
"Public defense is public safety."
Chapters
00:00 Embracing Color in Branding
03:14 The Power of Personal Branding
06:00 The Importance of Authenticity in Professional Spaces
07:55 Introduction and Setup
09:54 Prescott Loveland's Journey to Law
19:55 Understanding Holistic Defense
27:54 The Holistic Defense Pilot Program
35:46 Implementation and Community Involvement
37:53 Holistic Defense: A New Approach
43:51 Understanding Community Resources
49:47 The Importance of Client Interviews
55:58 Challenges in Implementing Holistic Defense
01:02:03 The Role of Wellness in Advocacy
01:07:42 Advice for Future Public Defenders
01:13:33 Defining Success in Dynamic Programs
01:16:32 Navigating Legal Decisions: The Role of Advocacy
01:19:33 Exploring Criminal Defense and Public Service Priorities
Prescott Loveland
Assistant Public Defender for the State of New Jersey
Assistant Public Defender Prescott Loveland is trained in both law and social work. He supervises and supports several criminal trial regions in addition to NJOPD’s holistic defense pilot program and several statewide units. Prescott joined NJOPD in 2024 after nearly nine years with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS). At PDS, Prescott represented adults and juveniles in D.C. Superior Court and was a supervisor of the PDS Trial Division. Prescott was also a member of the PDS Hiring Committee and the Forensic Practice Group. At PDS, Prescott was involved in cross division strategic planning around team defense. Prescott’s trial and litigation experience includes complex forensic and mental health issues and defending children prosecuted as adults. Prescott teaches and trains on team defense / holistic defense, sentencing mitigation, trial advocacy, client-centered representation, and trauma-informed practice.
Prescott has a JD and MSW from Fordham University. In 2015, he was named Fordham Law’s Public Service Valedictorian, and he received the law school’s top award for trial advocacy. At Fordham, Prescott co-founded the Fordham Law Defenders, he was a Stein Scholar for Public Interest Law, and he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Brendan Moore Trial Advocacy Program.
Before becoming a public defender, Prescott worked as a defense investigator, as a co-facilitator of an empowerment program for unhoused New Yorkers, and as a strategy consultant for nonprofit organizations.
Prescott was born and raised in New Jersey, and he… Read More
