Los Angeles County / Public Defender
Agency file
The Public Defender handles legal functions of government — prosecution, legal advice, and representing the state in court.
In 2025, this agency had 1,297 employees with median total compensation of $178,093; the highest distinct record was $714,318.
What the records show
These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.
How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 1,297 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($178,093) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.
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.
The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $346,409 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $55,488. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).
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
Page 3
Senior Paralegal/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Joseph Searcy serves as a Senior Paralegal. Their 2025 pay totaled $148,654.
Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant/Public Defender
Takisha Matthews works as a Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant for Public Defender. Takisha earned $148,224 in 2025.
Senior IT Technical Support Analyst/Public Defender
Oscar Malo Montenegro holds the role of Senior IT Technical Support Analyst at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $148,161.
Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender
Morgan Love works as a Psychiatric Social Worker II for Public Defender. Morgan earned $147,990 in 2025.
Paralegal/Public Defender
Valaura Baker works as a Paralegal for Public Defender. Valaura earned $147,891 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Isabel Simon holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $147,599.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
Wai Wong works as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender for Public Defender. Wai earned $147,378 in 2025.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
Rodolfo Rodriguez holds the role of Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,957.
Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Karmen Khanaferova serves as a Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant. Their 2025 pay totaled $146,657.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Lisa Greer holds the role of Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,461.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
David Cortez is a Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $146,290.
Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant/Public Defender
Teresa Escarcega holds the role of Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,256.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Peter Neal serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $146,201.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Kimberly Herrejon-Sanchez holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,149.