National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists

03/30/2026

Dear NASAMS!

As we close out Women’s History Month, NASAMS honors the women who serve as mitigation specialists and sentencing advocates—powerful voices for humanity within the justice system. We pay tribute to the trailblazers who shaped this vital work.

Before the role was widely recognized, they stood at the intersection of law, social work, and humanity—pushing boundaries to ensure that every person’s story mattered. They challenged systems that overlooked context, bringing forward narratives of trauma, resilience, and lived experience when few others would.

Carrying that legacy forward, you work tirelessly behind every case to uncover the full story—lifting experiences of trauma, resilience, and complexity that might otherwise go unheard. Your advocacy ensures that people are seen not just for their offenses, but for their lives, their struggles, and their potential. You remind us that justice is not just about punishment—it’s about understanding.

Today, we celebrate your impact, your strength, and your unwavering commitment to a more humane and equitable system. 💜

01/12/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR NASAMS!!! JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST THIRD THURSDAY OF THE YEAR!!

WHEN: Third Thursday presentation on January 15, 2026 from 1:30-2:30PM EST. Link below.

WHERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IP0Q580YSBeqmfVBoVDgVg

January Third Thursday:
We will be discussing the concept of setting goals and how to achieve them, both before you enter the criminal justice system or as you're leaving the system and reentering society. We will discuss understanding your worth and your value; a concept that is not fully conceived prior to entering the carceral setting. The weight of the pros and cons that idleness can bring- who are you when left to your own thoughts. Both Kareem and Wilson will be sharing their lived stories and experiences to guide this conversation.

Speakers Bios:
Kareem's Bio: My name is Kevin Brooks most people know me as Kareem. I am from Brooklyn, New York. I'm a formerly incarcerated individual who served 24 and a half years in the carceral system. During my time inside, I made a conscious decision to pursue education as a pathway to liberation both intellectual and spiritual. I earned my Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, a field that allowed me to critically examine the structure that shaped society.
Today I'm a researcher focused on carceral sickness. In addition to my research, I serve as a peer advocate for New York County Defender Services. In this role, I work directly with individuals navigating the criminal legal system, offering support, guidance, and solidarity.
My work is driven by belief in the possibility of transformation. I am proud of my journey I've taken, and I carry the lessons of my pass into every space that I enter.

Wilson's Bio: My name is Wilson Laboriel. I am from Manhattan (East Harlem), New York. I am the second oldest of five siblings. Although I am American, my family and I are Garifuna people from Honduras. Growing up, I was an inquisitive child and teenager with an interest in music.

During my adolescence, I began to explore the streets of El Barrio, Spanish Harlem. I
got acquainted with other pre-teens from the neighborhood, as well as adults. I soaked
up as much knowledge as I could concerning the street lifestyle. I picked up on the
language, the walk, the way in which a drug dealer spoke, the preferred attire, as well
as the mannerisms. I would try my best to balance out my participation in school and
the streets. However, I paid more attention to the streets and settled for a GED on my
graduating year of 2007.

In 2012, at 22 years old, I was arrested for two separate cases. After being detained for
8 months, I was found guilty at trial and was sentenced to 30-years imprisonment and 5
years Post Release Supervision for Criminal Sales of a Firearm in the Second Degree. I was devastated. I felt helpless. Further, I felt that my attorney had too much power over my fate; my legal documents were withheld from me, and my former attorney didn't seem interested in advocating zealously on my behalf. This motivated me to learn as much about criminal law in order to gain my freedom.

During my incarceration, I studied criminal law. In 2016, I earned my legal research
certificate. In 2017, my conviction was modified to 15-years. In 2020 I earned my paralegal certificate with distinction from the Blackstone Career Institute (BCI). In 2022, I earned an advanced paralegal certificate with distinction for Business and Corporate Law from BCI. Further, I enrolled into John Jay College, where I am currently a student striving for a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy.

My previous work history consists of providing legal services to incarcerated--as well as
formerly incarcerated individuals. For years, I have worked as a law library clerk providing typing services, application filing, photocopying, legal research, and assistance with legal correspondence. Upon my release from incarceration, I became an intern for the Network Support Services. There, I assisted formerly incarcerated individuals with program and housing placement.

I now work for the public defender's office, New York County Defender Services. I am a
Peer Advocate who help individuals navigate the stressful plight of serving prison time.
Further, I assist formerly incarcerated individuals upon re-entering society. Although I committed many errors in my youth, I am here to show that I went through a favorable metamorphosis for the benefit of society. Life has taught me that any goal I have can be reached depending on the intensity of my desire.

National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates & Mitigation Specialists, c/o NASAMS
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006
(Phone) 202.452.0620 | (Fax) 202.872.1031

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: January Third Thursday. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

10/18/2025

State sanctioned murder is not justice.

Richard Djerf, who was convicted of killing four members of a Phoenix family in 1993, died by lethal injection Friday morning in Florence.

10/17/2025

Mr. Roberson was scheduled to be executed on October 16 despite overwhelming evidence of innocence.

10/10/2025

Good Day NASAMS!!

Due to overwhelming interest, the NASAMS Certificate Program Registration deadline is extended until Tuesday, October 14th at NOON! That's right! You can still register! See the link below! We look forward to seeing you - October 15 -17th . The program will run from 12pm-6:15pm ET, 11am-5:15pm CT, 10am-4:15pm MT, and 9am-3:15pm PT each day. REGISTER NOW!

learninglab.nlada.org/NASAMS25

08/29/2025

Eddie Ellis is a former NASAMS Executive Committee member and a social justice warrior! He speaks from the depths of his soul and is committed to helping others realize a second chance! Check out this informed and informative opinion piece!

In the Washington Post, CFSY’s Eddie Ellis explains how D.C.’s second-look youth sentencing laws make us all safer.

“Many of the beneficiaries of second-chance laws have gone on to help prevent the very crimes that once defined our lives,” writes Eddie. “I turned my second chance into a lifelong commitment to bettering our city. D.C.’s youth today should have that same opportunity.”

Read the full piece here: https://wapo.st/45W9ALc

08/28/2025

Fundamentals of Mitigation Certificate Program is on the way!! View the agenda and register here! https://learninglab.nlada.org/NASAMS25 Questions, contact us at [email protected].

Scholarships are available!

08/28/2025

Hello NASAMS!!!

Scholarships Available for the NASAMS Certificate Program!!!

The Melissa Kupferberg Annual Training Scholarship, through the National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists (NASAMS), recognizes Melissa's life work and commitment to providing indigent persons accused of criminal violations of state and federal law with zealous, client-centered advocacy through providing high quality training for all members of the defense team and promoting best practices for client representation in non-capital cases.
Background
The Melissa Kupferberg Annual Conference Scholarship promotes her life work and her commitment to zealous advocacy, training, and best practices of client representation in non-capital cases for indigent persons arrested in state or federal criminal court cases. Melissa exemplified this mission. Through her persistent hard work and long hours, scholarly work and training, as well as dedication and compassion, Melissa became a shining star in our profession. Melissa worked in the capital and non-capital communities in Arizona and Florida. She did not take the easy road; she traveled many an unpaved road and gently gathered each stone knowing the gems she might find in each person she represented. Melissa always went beyond the call of duty with each person she met, whether client, colleague, or friend. She loved exploring her clients' lives and was passionate about the mysteries within each of us. She was one of the greatest listeners in the profession. This led clients, as well as friends, to trust her and confide their secrets, knowing they would be safe. Melissa had the uncanny ability to become a cherished part of someone's life within minutes of meeting her. She embraced life and all it had to offer.
Melissa was Vice Chair of NASAMS and Co-chair of NASAMS annual conferences. She was an active board member. She had co-developed and presented an ethics training for social workers in defenders offices and had planned to concentrate on writing professional articles on the subject. Melissa had also begun to develop a graduate school curriculum on defense-based mitigation training. In the years before she died, Melissa provided training throughout the country for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Office of Defender Services, where she was a greatly sought-after facility member. Melissa nearly completed her co-authored handbook for mitigation investigators, specialists, and social science experts.

Scholarship Application Process
Deadline: September 19, 2025
Application requirements:
Each applicant must respond in writing with an essay (approximate length: 1,000-1,500 words)
Identify your statement of need and describe your current mitigation work.
Describe the objectives you wish to achieve by attending the conference.
Detail how your participation at the conference may impact the work you do.
Provide two references from attorneys, defense-based social workers/mitigators, investigators and/or sponsoring agency. These persons should be someone who is knowledgeable of the applicant's commitment to the work.
Please email your completed application to [email protected] with the subject line as MK Scholarship
*This scholarship will cover all conference fees, including continuing education hours.

The NASAMS Scholarship Subcommittee and a family member of Melissa's will review all applications completed on time and determine the scholarship winner(s). We will inform the winner in time for you to confirm the scheduling with your employer.
Note: It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that the completed application has been received on time.
Donations
To contribute to the Melissa Kupferberg Annual Training Scholarship Fund, please click here. You can also make a donation via check to NLADA for the Melissa Kupferberg Annual Training Scholarship at 1901 Pennsylvania, NW Washington, D.C. 20006.

08/26/2025

NASAMS Executive Committee

Founded in 1992, the National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates & Mitigation Specialists (NASAMS) is the only national organization devoted to the educational and professional development of sentencing advocates and mitigation specialists.

06/19/2025

Dear NASAMS!!

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, holds profound significance in the ongoing struggle for social justice and equity. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This pivotal moment is not only a celebration of freedom but also a call to action for advocacy and resilience within our communities.

That same spirit of resilience is evident in the NASAMS (National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists) membership and in our pillars, emphasizing the importance of community, training, and advocacy—key elements crucial for uplifting voices and addressing systemic inequalities that persist. NASAMS is the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the educational and professional development of sentencing advocates and mitigation specialists. Our Executive Committee leads the charge to further our collective purpose, focusing on these three core pillars.

We strive to foster a supportive network where sentencing advocates and mitigation specialists can find camaraderie, encouragement, professional development, and like-minded individuals who believe in the principles of human dignity. While times are changing, NASAMS' mission and vision remain steadfast. We continue to focus on these critical pillars, ensuring that our community thrives and evolves. In times of uncertainty, we strive to embody the principles of solidarity and hope, illuminating our path as we navigate the challenges ahead.

The NASAMS organization and its membership have weathered the storms and enjoyed the sunny days for over three decades, supporting and pushing for defense-based advocacy when little was known about the profession or the depths of the work. We were here then, and we are here now, standing with you and providing the support to continue the good fight, and along the way, providing community, training, and advocacy to our members in their professional journeys. Together, we can create a community that not only withstands adversity but also thrives in hope and solidarity. As we honor the legacy of Juneteenth, let us commit to building resilient communities that honor the past while courageously facing the future, advocating for social justice and a more equitable system for all.

In Solidarity,

The NASAMS Executive Committee

https://www.nlada.org/NASAMS

06/12/2025

Hello NASAMS Community,

We are just writing to remind you that this month's Third Thursday will take place on June 18th from 3-4pm EST. This month's Third Thursday description is below.

Megan Leschak (an investigator in the Capital Habeas Unit at the Federal Public Defender in Los Angeles) and Darci (justice impacted loved one) explore navigating the criminal legal system with compassion and relational understanding. At age 19, Darci’s quiet and academically gifted son was charged with murder. During this session, we will discuss the process of pre-trial release, plea negotiations, sentencing, and ongoing healing.
Please register in advance at the zoom link:

**Please take a quick moment to complete the survey; your input is valuable): https://bit.ly/NASAMSSurvey

Applying Restorative Practices: A discussion with Megan Leschak, a social worker/investigator and a directly impacted loved one. This conversation will discuss their experience on a case together and there will be time for questions at the end.