When prisoners’ rights attorney Deb Golden takes the stage, she doesn’t just speak—she galvanizes. With a fierce commitment to human dignity and firsthand stories from the frontlines of prison reform, she transforms complex legal battles into clear calls for change. Whether addressing students, legal professionals, or the public, Deb delivers insights that resonate long after the applause stops.
Signature Topics
Deb speaks with authority on a range of topics, including:
- Prisoners' Rights Litigation: Strategic Approaches to Holding Correctional Systems Accountable. Deb shares proven legal strategies for challenging inhumane prison conditions and systemic misconduct. Drawing from landmark cases and her own litigation experience, she illustrates how legal action can disrupt abuse and lead to meaningful reform.
- How Public Records Laws Uncover Abuse and Drive Reform. Deb explains how Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests can shine a light on hidden practices inside prisons and detention centers. She shows how transparency fuels advocacy, informs legal cases, and holds institutions accountable.
- Sexual Assault in Correctional Settings: Centering Survivors and Dismantling Institutional Silence. Deb brings a survivor-centered perspective to the widespread issue of sexual violence in prisons. She explores legal avenues and policy solutions that challenge secrecy and create pathways to justice and safety.
- How the Constitution Protects—or Fails—the Incarcerated. Deb examines how constitutional rights—like freedom from cruel punishment and the right to due process—apply within prison walls. She highlights where protections break down and what it takes to restore justice in these overlooked environments.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Demystifying One of America’s Most Complex Institutions. Deb provides an inside look at the federal prison system, breaking down how its policies, structure, and culture shape the lives of those inside. She equips audiences with the knowledge needed to engage with or challenge the system effectively.
- Public Interest Law Careers: Real-World Guidance for the Next Generation of Legal Advocates. With honesty and insight, Deb shares what it means to build a career rooted in justice, purpose, and impact.
Professional Background
After spending 20 years working at nonprofits on behalf of incarcerated individuals and their rights, Deborah founded Golden Law in 2019. Her distinguished career includes serving as:
- Founder and Principal Attorney at Golden Law (2019-present)
- Director of the DC Prisoners Project at the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
- National FOIA Attorney at the Human Rights Defense Center
- Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Virginia
Booking Information
Deb is available for:
- Conference keynotes and panels
- Law school lectures and career panels
- Professional development workshops
- Media interviews and expert commentary
Complete the form below to have a member of Golden Law reach out to you about booking Deb for your event.