Live webinar presented by Brittany Bate, Ph.D. (she)
June 4, 2026, 12:30pm
90 min of CLE credit anticipated
Criminal defense attorneys represent clients whose experiences are shaped by both neurodiversity and gender identity. Research and clinical observations suggest a higher incidence of transgender and nonbinary identity among neurodivergent individuals, creating important considerations for communication, client relationships, mitigation, competency concerns, trauma-informed advocacy, and courtroom representation.
This webinar, part of our neurodiversity series for defense attorneys, will explore practical and ethical considerations when representing transgender and nonbinary clients. The program will discuss respectful and effective communication, common barriers these clients face within the criminal legal system, the intersection of neurodiversity and gender identity, and strategies for building trust and improving advocacy. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how identity, stigma, trauma, and disability can affect client interactions, decision-making, and case outcomes, while developing tools to provide more informed, client-centered representation.
As the legal landscape for transgender rights continues to evolve, it is crucial for attorneys to stay informed and approach these issues with sensitivity and respect. By understanding the unique challenges faced by transgender clients and adhering to ethical best practices, lawyers can play a vital role in advancing equality and ensuring fair representation for all.
Registration:
This program is part of the 2026 IDS Forensic Science Education Series. The webinars will be presented monthly and are free to attend. Use this link to register for all webinars in the series and attend any that are of interest.
Presenter:
Dr. Brittany Bate (she) is the founder of Be BOLD Psychology and Consulting and has extensive experience conducting forensic evaluations across North Carolina. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Sam Houston State University and has specialized experience in forensic psychology. Dr. Bate continued on to complete her predoctoral internship at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina as a forensic track intern, completing competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, sexual dangerousness and future risk, and risk of future violence assessments at the Federal Medical Center. She also offered treatment within the Commitment and Treatment Program for Sexually Dangerous Persons (CTP) during one of her internship rotations.
Throughout her career, Dr. Bate has conducted and authored various criminal and civil forensic evaluations for use by and in state and federal courts. Dr. Bate has conducted and supervised over 75 court-ordered mental health evaluations in North Carolina, the majority of those being in the context of custody disputes. Additionally, Dr. Bate was a Contract Psychologist with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit, helping to complete assessments and mitigation plans for individuals exhibiting signs that they were on the pathway towards violence.
Dr. Bate is listed as a forensic resource with the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services and is willing to travel to, and conduct evaluations in, secure facilities throughout North Carolina.