Dr. Bridgett Ortega

Dr. Bridgett E. Ortega is a Sr. organizational consultant and national trainer for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, All Rise, American University’s Justice Program Office, The National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence, and states throughout the U.S. She is a lawyer, researcher and the Past President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Juvenile Defender Center in Washington, D.C. She is a registered mediator with the state of Georgia and is a Program Administrator for DeKalb County Georgia’s virtual mediation program.

Dr. Ortega trains on subjects including but not limited to Compassionate Family Engagement, Compassionate Practice in Problem Solving Courts, Compassionate Communication, Using People-First Language to Reduce Stigma, Domestic Violence, Juvenile and Adult Drug Courts, Equity and Inclusion, Cultural Competency, Improving Outcomes for Children of the Incarcerated and all things Juvenile Justice.

Dr. Ortega has spent over 30 years advocating for criminal and juvenile justice reform. She is the recipient of the ABA Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award for outstanding advocacy in juvenile justice, the NAACP Freedom Fund Civil and Human Rights Award and in December of 2018 she was recognized by the National Juvenile Defender Center as a champion for juvenile justice for her work in defending youth rights.  She co-founded the Santa Clara County California Juvenile Drug Treatment Court with the Honorable Judge Thomas Edwards for which she received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for invaluable service to the community. Dr. Ortega is licensed to practice law in California and the Federal Courts, in addition she holds a Master of Arts degree, and a Doctorate Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership.  Her published research work is entitled, Compassionate Jurisprudence: As Praxis for Justice.