The NBAAS coordinating committing is thrilled to invite you to the 2026 Nancy Bergeson Ardent Advocacy Series featuring Peggy Nagae on July 16, 2026.
Tickets are available to purchase here.
Get your tickets now, before the early bird pricing expires. Included in the ticket price is food, drinks, and one hour of CLE credit! Come celebrate Nancy, and all the incredible ardent advocates who continue to carry on her legacy. We hope to see you there!
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.
The Nancy Bergeson Ardent Advocacy Series was established in honor of her example. You can find information below on past lecturers, award winners, and this year’s sponsors.
Lecture Series
2026: Peggy Nagae, activist, former public defender and civil rights litigator
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
2026 Event Sponsors
Law Office of Gabriel Biello
Boise | Huseby Attorneys at Law
Alison M. Clark Attorney At Law LLC
Tiffany A. Harris | Attorney at Law
Steven Jacobson
Kauffman Kilberg LLC
Levi Merrithew Horst LLC
Renée Manes Law
Elk Cove Vineyards
Fort George Brewery
United States District Court
District of Oregon Attorney Admissions Fund