Join the Prosecutors Alliance for a two-hour, two-part training on wellness in prosecutors’ offices!

Part 1: Detection of Factors Impacting Attorney Competency
Prosecutors face unique challenges that can affect their ability to perform competently, including substance abuse, mental health issues, cognitive decline, and high-stress environments caused by deadlines, large dockets, staff shortages, and the emotionally taxing nature of the work. These factors not only impact individual well-being but also risk the quality of the attorney’s work which can have detrimental impacts on victims and accused persons alike. Prosecutor well-being is a cornerstone of criminal justice reform and a practical tool for ensuring equitable justice solutions.

This session will:

• Define “well-being” in the context of the prosecutorial profession
• Explore the connection between well-being, professional responsibility, and ethical duties
• Share techniques for recognizing signs of diminished well-being, including:

  • Behavioral changes
  • Decline in performance
  • Physical symptoms

Part 2: Promoting Well-Being in the Workplace – Intervention and Prevention Practices 
This session focuses on creating a healthier work environment through proactive strategies, interventions, and implementation of policies aligned to address these issues.  Key topics include:

• Stress Management:

  • Work-life balance
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Manageable workloads

• Education and Training:

  • Mandatory continuing legal education on mental health, addiction, and stress management
  • Supervisor training to recognize and respond to signs of impairment

• Support Systems:

  • Mentorship programs
  • Peer support groups
  • Early risk identification
  • Confidential evaluations and well-being check-ins

• Policy and Structural Changes:

  • De-stigmatizing help-seeking
  • Referral programs for assistance
  • Temporary structured leave for recovery
  • Establishing well-being committees to oversee initiatives and address crises

This comprehensive approach aims to foster a supportive work culture that prioritizes the mental and physical health of prosecutors, enabling them to better serve their communities.

Speakers

Nina-Alice Antony is the deputy commonwealth’s attorney for the city of Charlottesville. She received her J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in 2011 and her B.A. from the University of Virginia in 2007. Antony spent her first six years in Charlottesville as general district court prosecutor. Her current role with the Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office focuses on the prosecution of felony violent crime, including robberies and homicides, and drug and gun prosecutions. Antony helped implement a behavior health docket for which she manages all cases in her jurisdiction. She is cross-designated as a special assistant U.S. attorney, which allows her to practice in both state and federal court.  

In the past, Antony has served as president and as a member-at-large of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Criminal Bar Association. She currently serves as a board member for her local Community Corrections Agency, Offender Aid and Restoration, and as chairwoman of the advisory board for the Charlottesville/Albemarle Therapeutic Docket. Antony teaches Trial Advocacy and co-teaches the Prosecution Clinic at the Law School.

Robyn C. Sordelett is the Survivor Center Director at the Prosecutors Alliance. Robyn is a clinical social worker and advocate for trauma-informed care and violence prevention. Her career includes work in the criminal justice system, community organizations, and legislative advocacy on a federal and state level. Robyn is committed to empowering advocates to address their own psychological and emotional health in order to enhance survivor outcomes and wellness in the field. Her work focuses on vicarious trauma and resilience, systemic causes of burnout, and sustainable advocacy practices. Robyn has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology from the University of Richmond and received her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California.