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Allegheny County, Pennsylvania / Public Defender

Agency file

Public Defender

Source file: Allegheny County — Employee Salaries / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Public Defender handles legal functions of government — prosecution, legal advice, and representing the state in court.

In 2025, this agency had 176 employees with median total compensation of $66,610; the highest distinct record was $119,612.

Year
2025
Employees
176
Median total
$66,610
Highest record
$119,612

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$832$115,309+

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 176 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($66,610) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

  • Base$55,549 (99%)
  • Overtime$93 (0%)
  • Other$499 (1%)
  • Benefits$0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
$13,717
$35,977
$66,610
$79,166
$90,199

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $90,199 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $13,717. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Trial Defender 4
60 · $68,865
Trial Defender 3
16 · $79,166
Legal Secretary 1/
12 · $41,429
Trial Defender 2
11 · $98,369
Investigator
9 · $45,574

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 2

Joshua R. Roberts

Manager-Trial/Public Defender

2023 total comp
$80,074
Base pay
$78,887
Overtime
$1,062
Other pay
$125
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$80,074
Hire date
3/14/2010

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$78,888
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$80,074
Pay Status
Active

Joshua R. Roberts is a Manager-Trial at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 3/14/2010. 2023 total compensation came to $80,074.

Sarah C Mcguire

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,291
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,679
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,291
Hire date
2/19/2019

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,717
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,291
Pay Status
Active

Sarah C Mcguire works as a Trial Defender 3 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 2/19/2019. Sarah earned $79,291 in 2025.

Michael M Finley

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
3/11/2019

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,717
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Michael M Finley serves as a Trial Defender 3. Records show a hire date of 3/11/2019. Their 2025 pay totaled $79,166.

Joshua Guckert

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
2/3/2020

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

Joshua Guckert works as a Trial Defender 3 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 2/3/2020. Joshua earned $79,166 in 2025.

Kevin Horne

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
9/30/2019

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Kevin Horne serves as a Trial Defender 3. Records show a hire date of 9/30/2019. Their 2025 pay totaled $79,166.

Benjamin M Jackson

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
8/5/2019

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

Benjamin M Jackson holds the role of Trial Defender 3 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 8/5/2019. In 2025, their total compensation was $79,166.

Luke J Wilson

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
2/22/2016

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,717
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

Luke J Wilson works as a Trial Defender 3 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 2/22/2016. Luke earned $79,166 in 2025.

Jeanne M Emhoff

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
7/9/2018

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,717
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Jeanne M Emhoff serves as a Trial Defender 3. Records show a hire date of 7/9/2018. Their 2025 pay totaled $79,166.

Taylor M Corn

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
6/23/2019

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

Taylor M Corn is a Trial Defender 3 at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 6/23/2019. 2025 total compensation came to $79,166.

Bradley T Marscher

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,166
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,554
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,166
Hire date
6/5/2017

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,717
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,166
Pay Status
Active

Bradley T Marscher works as a Trial Defender 3 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 6/5/2017. Bradley earned $79,166 in 2025.

Nicholas Weltz

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$79,112
Base pay
$79,112
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$79,112
Hire date
2/22/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$79,112
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Nicholas Weltz serves as a Trial Defender 4. Records show a hire date of 2/22/2021. Their 2025 pay totaled $79,112.

Rakeisha J. Martini

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$78,012
Base pay
$78,012
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$78,012
Hire date
1/19/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$78,012
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Rakeisha J. Martini serves as a Trial Defender 4. Records show a hire date of 1/19/2021. Their 2025 pay totaled $78,012.

Tirza Kyes

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$77,612
Base pay
$77,612
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$77,612
Hire date
12/21/2020

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$77,612
Pay Status
Active

Tirza Kyes holds the role of Trial Defender 3 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 12/21/2020. In 2025, their total compensation was $77,612.

Bobby Chambers

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$76,192
Base pay
$76,192
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$76,192
Hire date
3/22/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$76,192
Pay Status
Active

Bobby Chambers holds the role of Trial Defender 3 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 3/22/2021. In 2025, their total compensation was $76,192.

Kevin W Lee

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2023 total comp
$75,438
Base pay
$72,508
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$2,930
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$75,438
Hire date
12/2/2013

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$73,255
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$75,438
Pay Status
Active

Kevin W Lee holds the role of Trial Defender 3 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 12/2/2013. In 2023, their total compensation was $75,438.

Thomas M. Dugan

Director/Public Defender

2023 total comp
$73,814
Base pay
$73,814
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$73,814
Hire date
2/20/2007

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$132,355
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$73,814
Pay Status
Terminated
Termination Date
Jul 7, 2023

Thomas M. Dugan holds the role of Director at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 2/20/2007. In 2023, their total compensation was $73,814.

Andrew Sherman

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$73,581
Base pay
$73,581
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$73,581
Hire date
3/29/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$77,716
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$73,581
Pay Status
Active

Andrew Sherman is a Trial Defender 3 at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 3/29/2021. 2025 total compensation came to $73,581.

Brianna I Sulenski

Managing Attorney/Public Defender

2023 total comp
$71,779
Base pay
$71,654
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$125
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$71,779
Hire date
6/17/2019

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$78,888
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$71,779
Pay Status
Active

Brianna I Sulenski is a Managing Attorney at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 6/17/2019. 2023 total compensation came to $71,779.

Marcus Gaines-Cherry

Manager of Social Work/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$71,278
Base pay
$70,212
Overtime
$1,066
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$71,278
Hire date
2/10/2025

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$79,196
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$71,278
Pay Status
Active

Marcus Gaines-Cherry holds the role of Manager of Social Work at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 2/10/2025. In 2025, their total compensation was $71,278.

Alexa Glista

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,865
Base pay
$70,865
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,865
Hire date
11/5/2023

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,865
Pay Status
Active

Alexa Glista is a Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 11/5/2023. 2025 total compensation came to $70,865.

Carissa A Davenport

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,590
Base pay
$70,465
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$125
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,590
Hire date
10/24/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,590
Pay Status
Active

Carissa A Davenport is a Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 10/24/2021. 2025 total compensation came to $70,590.

Sarah Hampton

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,465
Base pay
$70,465
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,465
Hire date
10/23/2022

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,465
Pay Status
Active

Sarah Hampton holds the role of Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 10/23/2022. In 2025, their total compensation was $70,465.

Lauren M Leiggi

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,465
Base pay
$70,465
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,465
Hire date
10/24/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,465
Pay Status
Active

Lauren M Leiggi works as a Trial Defender 4 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 10/24/2021. Lauren earned $70,465 in 2025.

Megan M Shanklin

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,190
Base pay
$70,065
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$125
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,190
Hire date
11/5/2023

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,190
Pay Status
Active

Megan M Shanklin works as a Trial Defender 4 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 11/5/2023. Megan earned $70,190 in 2025.

Cory Ricci

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,190
Base pay
$70,065
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$125
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,190
Hire date
5/22/2023

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,190
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Cory Ricci serves as a Trial Defender 4. Records show a hire date of 5/22/2023. Their 2025 pay totaled $70,190.

Shala Barney

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,065
Base pay
$70,065
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,065
Hire date
7/29/2024

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,065
Pay Status
Active

Shala Barney is a Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 7/29/2024. 2025 total compensation came to $70,065.

Isabella Scassera

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$70,065
Base pay
$70,065
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$70,065
Hire date
10/21/2024

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$70,065
Pay Status
Active

Isabella Scassera works as a Trial Defender 4 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 10/21/2024. Isabella earned $70,065 in 2025.

Valerie Daigneault

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,790
Base pay
$69,665
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$125
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,790
Hire date
11/5/2023

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,790
Pay Status
Active

Valerie Daigneault is a Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 11/5/2023. 2025 total compensation came to $69,790.

Isabella Bedard

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,665
Base pay
$69,665
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,665
Hire date
10/23/2022

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,665
Pay Status
Active

Isabella Bedard holds the role of Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 10/23/2022. In 2025, their total compensation was $69,665.

Theresa J. Mcevoy

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,665
Base pay
$69,665
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,665
Hire date
12/3/2023

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,665
Pay Status
Active

Theresa J. Mcevoy is a Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Records show a hire date of 12/3/2023. 2025 total compensation came to $69,665.

Annelise M Hanna

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,665
Base pay
$69,665
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,665
Hire date
10/24/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,665
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Annelise M Hanna serves as a Trial Defender 4. Records show a hire date of 10/24/2021. Their 2025 pay totaled $69,665.

Jayme Tocci

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,665
Base pay
$69,665
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,665
Hire date
10/21/2024

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,665
Pay Status
Active

Jayme Tocci holds the role of Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 10/21/2024. In 2025, their total compensation was $69,665.

Reginald Bridges

Arraignment Attorney/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,615
Base pay
$69,615
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,615
Hire date
4/22/2024

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,615
Pay Status
Active

Reginald Bridges works as a Arraignment Attorney for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 4/22/2024. Reginald earned $69,615 in 2025.

Ashlynn S. Davis

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,265
Base pay
$69,265
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,265
Hire date
11/5/2023

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,265
Pay Status
Active

Ashlynn S. Davis holds the role of Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 11/5/2023. In 2025, their total compensation was $69,265.

Kyle Donovan

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,265
Base pay
$69,265
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,265
Hire date
10/23/2022

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,265
Pay Status
Active

Kyle Donovan holds the role of Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 10/23/2022. In 2025, their total compensation was $69,265.

Felicia Dusha

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$69,265
Base pay
$69,265
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$69,265
Hire date
10/21/2024

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$69,265
Pay Status
Active

Felicia Dusha works as a Trial Defender 4 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 10/21/2024. Felicia earned $69,265 in 2025.

Celia M Dicarlo

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$68,990
Base pay
$68,865
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$125
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$68,990
Hire date
11/5/2023

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$68,990
Pay Status
Active

At Public Defender, Celia M Dicarlo serves as a Trial Defender 4. Records show a hire date of 11/5/2023. Their 2025 pay totaled $68,990.

Rakeisha J. Foster

Trial Defender/Public Defender

2024 total comp
$68,928
Base pay
$68,928
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$68,928
Hire date
1/19/2021

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$75,453
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$68,928
Pay Status
Active

Rakeisha J. Foster works as a Trial Defender for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 1/19/2021. Rakeisha earned $68,928 in 2024.

Emily Balla

Trial Defender 3/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$68,865
Base pay
$68,865
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$68,865
Hire date
9/23/2024

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$68,865
Pay Status
Active

Emily Balla works as a Trial Defender 3 for Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 9/23/2024. Emily earned $68,865 in 2025.

Jordan Taylor

Trial Defender 4/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$68,865
Base pay
$68,865
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$68,865
Hire date
12/19/2022

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary
$68,958
Elected Official
No
Gross Pay
$68,865
Pay Status
Active

Jordan Taylor holds the role of Trial Defender 4 at Public Defender. Their hire date on record is 12/19/2022. In 2025, their total compensation was $68,865.