Los Angeles County / Alternate Public Defender

Agency file

Alternate Public Defender

Source file: Los Angeles County — Employee Salaries (Auditor-Controller) / ingested Jun 19, 2026

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

In 2025, this agency had 361 employees with median total compensation of $227,420; the highest distinct record was $682,087.

Year: 2025
Employees: 361
Median total: $227,420
Highest record: $682,087

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$14$499,280+

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 361 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($227,420) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $145,455 (62%)
Overtime — $160 (0%)
Other — $16,618 (7%)
Benefits — $73,063 (31%)

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

$90,018

$144,991

$227,420

$330,893

$384,080

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $384,080 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $90,018. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV

103 · $353,265

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III

64 · $241,388

Deputy Alternate Public Defender II

33 · $179,933

Investigator Ii,Public Defender

27 · $223,585

Head Deputy, Alternate Public Defender

20 · $417,631

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 4

Lindsay Santos

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$303,195

Base pay: $190,394
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $18,408
Benefits: $94,393
Total compensation: $303,195

Lindsay Santos works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV for Alternate Public Defender. Lindsay earned $303,195 in 2025.

David Smith

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$302,248

Base pay: $193,424
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $23,635
Benefits: $85,189
Total compensation: $302,248

David Smith works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III for Alternate Public Defender. David earned $302,248 in 2025.

Michael Cabori

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$298,840

Base pay: $195,516
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $31,779
Benefits: $71,545
Total compensation: $298,840

Michael Cabori is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $298,840.

Cynthia Janis

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$296,331

Base pay: $180,523
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,249
Benefits: $104,559
Total compensation: $296,331

At Alternate Public Defender, Cynthia Janis serves as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV. Their 2025 pay totaled $296,331.

Puja Makarechi

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$291,967

Base pay: $174,775
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $24,746
Benefits: $92,446
Total compensation: $291,967

Puja Makarechi is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $291,967.

Dana Branen

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$291,466

Base pay: $184,184
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $21,880
Benefits: $85,402
Total compensation: $291,466

Dana Branen is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $291,466.

George Moyer

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$290,892

Base pay: $181,834
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $25,584
Benefits: $83,474
Total compensation: $290,892

George Moyer is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $290,892.

Steve Kwon

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$288,899

Base pay: $189,553
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $31,123
Benefits: $68,223
Total compensation: $288,899

Steve Kwon works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV for Alternate Public Defender. Steve earned $288,899 in 2025.

Daniel Covarrubias-Klein

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$280,655

Base pay: $166,588
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,859
Benefits: $106,208
Total compensation: $280,655

Daniel Covarrubias-Klein works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III for Alternate Public Defender. Daniel earned $280,655 in 2025.

Efren Navar

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$278,139

Base pay: $173,041
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $25,265
Benefits: $79,833
Total compensation: $278,139

Efren Navar is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $278,139.

Gabrielle Sacks

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$274,858

Base pay: $150,123
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,098
Benefits: $116,637
Total compensation: $274,858

Gabrielle Sacks holds the role of Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $274,858.

Stacie Linka

Deputy Alternate Public Defender II/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$271,738

Base pay: $159,725
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,000
Benefits: $107,013
Total compensation: $271,738

At Alternate Public Defender, Stacie Linka serves as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender II. Their 2025 pay totaled $271,738.

Cyrus Haghani

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$269,228

Base pay: $157,784
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,088
Benefits: $104,356
Total compensation: $269,228

At Alternate Public Defender, Cyrus Haghani serves as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $269,228.

Alvin Yu

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$268,258

Base pay: $162,936
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $27,938
Benefits: $77,384
Total compensation: $268,258

Alvin Yu works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV for Alternate Public Defender. Alvin earned $268,258 in 2025.

Adrian Garcia

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$266,323

Base pay: $162,483
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $16,596
Benefits: $87,244
Total compensation: $266,323

Adrian Garcia works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III for Alternate Public Defender. Adrian earned $266,323 in 2025.

Thomas Lee

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$264,375

Base pay: $152,281
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,298
Benefits: $104,796
Total compensation: $264,375

Thomas Lee is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $264,375.

Nicole Newman

Deputy Alternate Public Defender II/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$262,465

Base pay: $161,700
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $15,091
Benefits: $85,674
Total compensation: $262,465

Nicole Newman is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender II at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $262,465.

Sliman Nawabi

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$260,398

Base pay: $167,398
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $23,919
Benefits: $69,081
Total compensation: $260,398

At Alternate Public Defender, Sliman Nawabi serves as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV. Their 2025 pay totaled $260,398.

Laura Leath

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$259,795

Base pay: $155,648
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $16,203
Benefits: $87,944
Total compensation: $259,795

Laura Leath is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $259,795.

Rachel Cala

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$259,138

Base pay: $139,105
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,874
Benefits: $113,159
Total compensation: $259,138

Rachel Cala holds the role of Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $259,138.

Jennifer Macdonald

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$258,770

Base pay: $162,704
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $19,144
Benefits: $76,922
Total compensation: $258,770

Jennifer Macdonald holds the role of Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV at Alternate Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $258,770.

Linda Rigas

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$258,350

Base pay: $163,350
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $26,450
Benefits: $68,550
Total compensation: $258,350

Linda Rigas is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $258,350.

Andrew Koper

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$258,143

Base pay: $161,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,618
Benefits: $83,953
Total compensation: $258,143

At Alternate Public Defender, Andrew Koper serves as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV. Their 2025 pay totaled $258,143.

Erin Caliri

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$251,751

Base pay: $151,001
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,351
Benefits: $90,399
Total compensation: $251,751

Erin Caliri works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III for Alternate Public Defender. Erin earned $251,751 in 2025.

Doron Lion

Deputy Alternate Public Defender II/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$249,557

Base pay: $160,777
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $26,893
Benefits: $61,887
Total compensation: $249,557

Doron Lion is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender II at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $249,557.

Gary Shuman

Investigator III, Public Defender/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$248,949

Base pay: $173,506
Overtime: $997
Other pay: $6,090
Benefits: $68,356
Total compensation: $248,949

Gary Shuman holds the role of Investigator III, Public Defender at Alternate Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $248,949.

Terry Ng

Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$247,926

Base pay: $127,845
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $91,202
Benefits: $28,879
Total compensation: $247,926

Terry Ng works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender IV for Alternate Public Defender. Terry earned $247,926 in 2025.

Zalondria Mance

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$247,640

Base pay: $160,982
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $24,544
Benefits: $62,114
Total compensation: $247,640

At Alternate Public Defender, Zalondria Mance serves as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $247,640.

George Vidal

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$247,574

Base pay: $147,241
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,968
Benefits: $79,365
Total compensation: $247,574

George Vidal is a Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $247,574.

Samantha Mergentime

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$246,338

Base pay: $155,389
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $17,497
Benefits: $73,452
Total compensation: $246,338

Samantha Mergentime is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $246,338.

Amir Attia

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$245,978

Base pay: $154,580
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $26,521
Benefits: $64,877
Total compensation: $245,978

Amir Attia works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III for Alternate Public Defender. Amir earned $245,978 in 2025.

Amanda Austin

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$244,826

Base pay: $149,786
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $14,010
Benefits: $81,030
Total compensation: $244,826

Amanda Austin works as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III for Alternate Public Defender. Amanda earned $244,826 in 2025.

Shannon Belsheim

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$244,066

Base pay: $146,416
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,836
Benefits: $88,814
Total compensation: $244,066

At Alternate Public Defender, Shannon Belsheim serves as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $244,066.

Firass Halawi

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$243,424

Base pay: $141,240
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,565
Benefits: $92,619
Total compensation: $243,424

Firass Halawi is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $243,424.

Helena Mera

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$243,373

Base pay: $151,720
Overtime: $4,049
Other pay: $11,213
Benefits: $76,391
Total compensation: $243,373

Helena Mera is a Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $243,373.

Chanel Ortiz

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$241,566

Base pay: $147,427
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,512
Benefits: $81,627
Total compensation: $241,566

Chanel Ortiz holds the role of Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $241,566.

Mark Russ

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$241,210

Base pay: $150,363
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $23,234
Benefits: $67,613
Total compensation: $241,210

Mark Russ is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $241,210.

Maria Ortiz

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$238,918

Base pay: $148,361
Overtime: $876
Other pay: $13,016
Benefits: $76,665
Total compensation: $238,918

Maria Ortiz works as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender for Alternate Public Defender. Maria earned $238,918 in 2025.

Sabine St Hilaire

Investigator III, Public Defender/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$238,350

Base pay: $155,454
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,626
Benefits: $76,270
Total compensation: $238,350

Sabine St Hilaire holds the role of Investigator III, Public Defender at Alternate Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $238,350.

Bryan Levario

Deputy Alternate Public Defender III/Alternate Public Defender

2025 total comp

$236,902

Base pay: $147,427
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $21,150
Benefits: $68,325
Total compensation: $236,902

Bryan Levario holds the role of Deputy Alternate Public Defender III at Alternate Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $236,902.