Nancy Bergeson was a career-long public defender whose legal acumen was matched only by her uncanny ability to empathize with her clients. She articulated her client's position to a jury or judge as if it was Nancy, herself, on trial for her life.
In honor of her example, we have established the Nancy Bergeson Ardent Advocacy Series.
Please check back for information on the 2026 event. Information on past lecturers, award winners, and sponsors is below, as are instructions on how to donate.
Lecture Series
2025: Alexis Hoag-Fordjour, Associate Professor of Law and the Co-Director of the Center for Criminal Justice at Brooklyn Law School
2024: Laura Bazelon, Professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law
2023: Lisa Hay, Federal Public Defender for the District of Oregon
2022: Abbe Smith, Director of the Criminal Defense and Prisoner Advocacy Clinic, Co-Director of the E. Barrett Prettyman Fellowship Program, Professor of Law at Georgetown University
2019: Hon. Judith Levy, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan
2018: Stephen Houze, attorney
2017: Cecilia Wang, Deputy Legal Director, ACLU New York
2016: Ron Yengrich, attorney
2015: David Nevin, attorney
2014: Andrea Lyon, attorney and former Dean, Valparaiso Law School
2013: Thomas Hillier, Chief Federal Public Defender in Seattle
2012: Colleen Scissors, attorney
2011: Jodie English, attorney
Young Ardent Advocate Award
2025: Kate McMurchie
2024: Peyton Lee
2023: Sara Foroshani
2022: Joe Westover
2021: Jessica Snyder
2019: Thalia Sady
2018: Chris Marin Hamilton
2017: Emily Elison
Champion Colleague Award
2025: Susan Moffatt
2024: Tony Bornstein
2025 Event Sponsors
Boise Matthews LLP
CBMH Law Inc
David McDonald
Elk Cove Vineyards
Fort George Brewery
Gabriel Biello
Hoevet Olson PC
Levi Merrithew Horst PC
Ludwig Runstein LLC
Steven Jacobson
US District Court