Michigan Holistic Defense Fellowship

Strengthening the practice of holistic defense in Michigan

Marquette County Courthouse By Paul R. Burley – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119697674

a holistic approach

How It’s Different

Evidence-Based

We recognize the systemic social and legal challenges that drive individuals into contact with the criminal legal system

Interdisciplinary Advocacy

Criminal defense attorneys, social workers, mitigation professionals, investigators, and additional advocates support client cases

Beyond the System

Clients and communities are better off when we address the drivers of individual criminality (and not just the symptoms)

Alpena, Calhoun, Genesee, Macomb, Marquette, and Wexford counties

From north to south:

Marquette County Office of the Public Defender
Northeast Michigan Regional Defender Office
Wexford Missaukee Office of the Public Defender
Genesee County Office of the Public Defender
Macomb County Office of the Public Defender
Calhoun County Office of the Public Defender

our impact

Stories from Students

Paul Havern

Paul Havern
2025 Law Fellow
Wayne State University
Graduating May 2026

“At my placement site, I was a legal fellow. I interacted with the office's social workers every day. At each arraignment, a social worker would be present, and they helped me identify when a client might need additional assistance. During client meetings, I was able to offer employment, housing, and treatment options to clients. If they expressed interest, I connected them with the office's social workers, and they would be in contact with the client providing support throughout the process. Because of the social workers, I could offer these services without any risk of being overwhelmed as I worked on the legal aspects of a case.”

Paul Havern

Sydney Wood, MSW
2024 Social Work Fellow
University of Michigan
Graduated May 2025

“The Holistic Defense fellowship was one of the most meaningful experiences I've had in my career. It allowed me to fully connect theory and practice, and gain invaluable hands-on experience as a social worker. I developed an incredible passion for the principles of holistic defense and their interconnection to social work values - such as client centered advocacy, addressing systemic social justice issues, and a person-in-environment framework. Not only did I learn so much about holistic defense and how social workers can operate in the criminal justice system, I also felt I was really able to positively impact the lives of clients. I highly enjoyed getting to collaborate so much with lawyers and the law student fellow, and to have a social work perspective included in these vital services.”

Spencer LaDue

“The Holistic Defense Fellowship program gave me the opportunity to work in a courtroom more than I could ever imagine, conduct pretrial proceedings, handle a misdemeanor case from beginning to end, and explore the social work side of criminal defense, all of which were totally foreign to me. I could not imagine a better way to spend my first summer in law school!”

Spencer LaDue
2025 Law Fellow
Michigan State University
Graduating May 2027

Beau Schultz

“The Holistic Defense Fellowship taught me about a new field of social work. I got so much incredible experience with interviewing, case management, referrals, and truly meeting clients where they are. Every public defense office should practice holistic defense, and this program is a great start to getting there someday!”

Beau Schultz, BSW
2025 Social Work Fellow
Hope College
Graduated December 2025

Fellow alumni

Michigan courthouses

Social Work Schools Represented

Law Schools Represented