Walsh Middle School
Wed, December 20, 2023
On November 21, 2022 and December 20, 2023, in collaboration with the U.S. District Court, our office participated in an educational outreach program at Walsh Middle School in Branford, Connecticut. Kelly, as well as a federal prosecutor and federal judge presented on a panel regarding the Adnan Syed case from the “Serial” Podcast. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about the operation of the federal criminal justice system, including on important topics like Brady violations, sentencing, and the right to a fair and impartial jury.
'Spit and Paint' Guided Art Class
Wed, September 27, 2023
On September 27, 2023, Mitigation Specialists Maria Diaz Sommer and Marisela Perez along with some participants of New Haven and Bridgeport Support Court participated in a ‘Spit and Paint’ guided art class with a special guest poet at NXT HVN in New Haven. The art class was sponsored by New Haven’s Department of Arts and Culture in collaboration with Next Level EMPOWERMENT Program, founded by Ray Boyd.
Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA)
Mon, July 17, 2023 & Wed, July 19, 2023
On July 17, 2023, Our office attended a “Q&A” session at Yale Law School with 30 high school students participating in a week-long law enforcement and legal training overnight camp organized by the FBI’s New Haven office and the Yale University Police Department. The purpose of the discussion was to help the students prepare for a mock sentencing exercise. On July 19, 2023, the students delivered their sentencing arguments in a live courtroom setting before a federal judge, with Will and a federal prosecutor participating as coaches.
West Hartford's Pride Fest
Sat, June 17, 2023
Ann Marie Hager participated in West Hartford's Pride Fest on June 17, 2023. With celebration and resources, the Federal Defender Office attended this event to promote diversity and inclusion in recruitment efforts, efforts made by our office to promote fair, impartial, and equal administration of justice, and to promote community outreach, including upcoming summer 2023 outreach opportunities.
Horace Mann School
Wed, May 24, 2023
Our office attended a panel discussion with a prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York with 50 students from the “Voices of Protest” class from the Horace Mann School in the Bronx, New York. The panel discussed the federal criminal process system, including topics related to jury trials, sentencing, bail, mandatory minimums, mitigation, and the impact of mass incarceration.
Saint Martin de Porres Academy
Wed, January 25, 2023
On January 25, 2023, members of the DEIJ Outreach Subcommittee, including Kelly Barrett, Daniel Erwin, Allison Kahl, Aissa Lugo, and Kathi Torres, visited the St. Martin de Porres Academy in New Haven, previous school to one of the Office’s clients. Saint Martin de Porres Academy is a faith-based, NativityMiguel middle school that provides a tuition-free, extended day education for underserved girls and boys from low-income families in the New Haven area. The FDO delegation attended a morning meeting, attended a tour of the school, and met with the director and principal. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Saint Martin de Porres Academy.
"Gateway to Practice” Seminar at Quinnipiac Law School
Sat, November 14, 2025
Annually, our office has attended the “Gateway to Practice” program at Quinnipiac Law School. She serves as a practice advisor to a group of students, teaching skills related to client interviewing, oral advocacy, and negotiation. The FDO is pleased to collaborate with Quinnipiac Law School to mentor students and serve as a host for student internships.
Quinnipiac University
Wed, November 30, 2022
On November 30, 2022, our office spoke to Professor Jim Buccini’s “College to Career” class at Quinnipiac University. A yearly event, to discuss with students the diversity of career opportunities availability within a federal public defender office. Discussions also include the importance of the federal pubic defenders roles, including with respect to DEIJ, zealous advocacy, the right to mitigation, and restorative justice.
Danbury Federal Correctional Institution
Mon, November 28, 2022
On November 28, 2022, Assistant Federal Defender Carly Levenson traveled to Danbury Federal Correctional Institution with a delegation from the New Haven Reentry Court, including a federal judge, prosecutor, probation officer, and reentry coordinator. Carly and the delegation toured the prison and presented information about Reentry Court to the men of Danbury. Carly also had the opportunity to answer questions about a variety of topics, including the mission and work of the Federal Defender Office.
CCAR
Wed, November 23, 2022
On November 23, 2022, Kelly Barrett, Maria Sommer, Carly Levenson and a delegation from the Bridgeport Support Court, including a federal judge, federal prosecutor, federal probation officer, and treatment provider, attending a Support Court participant’s community service project at CCAR, which featured a giving tree event in honor of Le’chard Santos, a community meeting, and a community Thanksgiving meal.
Habitat for Humanity
Wed, October 26, 2022
On October 26, 2022, Kelly Barrett, Maria Sommer, Carly Levenson and a delegation from the Bridgeport Support Court, including a federal judge, federal prosecutor, federal probation officer, and treatment provider, attending a Support Court participant’s community service project at Habitat for Humanity in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The delegation participated in a community build day at a home in Bridgeport.
