BeSustained is conducting the first of its kind multi-phase national study of well-being in public defense! The findings and recommendations from this project will help support individual defenders, improve the organizations we work in, and inform the systems making budget and policy decisions that impact public defense. The future of public defense requires a community of thriving public defenders who are supported to provide client-centered advocacy. This project will provide an evidence-based path toward this goal. Led by current and former public defenders, this project will generate critical data to help support and sustain public defenders.
Registration is closed for Phase One of this study! Thank you to all who participated!
Registration link coming soon to participate in Phase Two focus groups and assessment.
This multi-phase National Public Defense Well-Being Study utilizes multiple research methods that are both quantitative and qualitative, with the protection of privacy and scientific methodology. Phase One, which is being conducted by a researcher at Harvard Business School, seeks to deepen our understanding of what drives passion, energy and sustainability in public defense work. In Summer-Fall 2026, Phase Two will make a comprehensive review of occupational variables that impact well-being in public defense.
Upcoming Events Discussing the Study:
4/1/26, noon-1 pm pacific, at Be Well Wednesday: What Have We Learned So Far from the National Public Defense Well-Being Study? BeSustained is conducting a national study of well-being in public defense. At this webinar, Harvard Business School researcher Jon Jachimowicz will share findings from a daily diary study conducted in November 2025, seeking to deepen our understanding of what drives passion, energy and sustainability in public defense. Matt Thiese, a researcher with the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, will share plan for the upcoming survey and focus groups that will survey issues affecting public defender well-being. The findings and recommendations from this project will help support individual defenders, improve the organizations we work in, and inform the systems making budget and policy decisions that impact public defense.
4/16/26: webinar hosted by NAPD, in collaboration with NACDL, NLADA, IWIL and BeSustained. Registration link coming soon.
11/18-11/21/26 IDRA 13th National Convening on Research and Data in Indigent Defense, at the American Society of Criminology, Chicago, IL.
Overview of Phase One Methodology (12 min video)
In this video, Harvard Business School Researcher Jon Jachimowicz describes the research goals, methodology, and confidentiality protections for participants, and answers questions. Read more from Professor Jachimowicz here and listen to the July 2025 episode NPR’s Hidden Brain, Featured Guest for “The Passion Pill” (July 2025).
Overview of the National Public Defender Well-Being Study (5 min)
BeSustained is grateful to these supporters of this project:
Laura K Shawver and Tracy M Macuga
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
National Legal Aid & Defender Association
Institute for Well-Being in Law
National Association for Public Defense
BeSustained 