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Los Angeles County / Public Defender

Agency file

Public Defender

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

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.

Year
2025
Total payroll
$257.8M
Employees
1,297
Median total
$178,093
Highest record
$714,318

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

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.

Average pay composition

  • Base$123,123 (62%)
  • Overtime$343 (0%)
  • Other$12,168 (6%)
  • Benefits$63,124 (32%)

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
$55,488
$121,524
$178,093
$290,928
$346,409

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).

Largest job titles

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

Page 1

Terri Kay

Supervising Paralegal/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$182,400
Base pay
$112,272
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$7,581
Benefits
$62,547
Total compensation
$182,400

At Public Defender, Terri Kay serves as a Supervising Paralegal. Their 2025 pay totaled $182,400.

Rachelle Leduc

Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$182,077
Base pay
$118,602
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$12,518
Benefits
$50,957
Total compensation
$182,077

Rachelle Leduc holds the role of Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $182,077.

Jillian Davis

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$181,847
Base pay
$113,225
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,177
Benefits
$64,445
Total compensation
$181,847

Jillian Davis is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $181,847.

Karen Ramirez

Administrative Services Manager I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$181,768
Base pay
$109,727
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$12,928
Benefits
$59,113
Total compensation
$181,768

Karen Ramirez holds the role of Administrative Services Manager I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $181,768.

Jeremy Palacio

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$181,711
Base pay
$113,225
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,934
Benefits
$62,552
Total compensation
$181,711

At Public Defender, Jeremy Palacio serves as a Deputy Public Defender II. Their 2025 pay totaled $181,711.

Miya Sumii

Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$181,634
Base pay
$115,687
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$211
Benefits
$65,736
Total compensation
$181,634

Miya Sumii is a Psychiatric Social Worker II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $181,634.

Hector Moreno

Management Analyst/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$181,393
Base pay
$99,887
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$8,182
Benefits
$73,324
Total compensation
$181,393

Hector Moreno holds the role of Management Analyst at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $181,393.

Alexandra Markus Navarro

Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$180,873
Base pay
$102,437
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$8,697
Benefits
$69,739
Total compensation
$180,873

At Public Defender, Alexandra Markus Navarro serves as a Deputy Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $180,873.

Jaime Marron

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$180,866
Base pay
$124,754
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$18,171
Benefits
$37,941
Total compensation
$180,866

Jaime Marron works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Jaime earned $180,866 in 2025.

Alexandra Weden

Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$180,710
Base pay
$115,687
Overtime
$111
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$64,912
Total compensation
$180,710

At Public Defender, Alexandra Weden serves as a Psychiatric Social Worker II. Their 2025 pay totaled $180,710.

Danielle Ramos Den

Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$180,597
Base pay
$114,662
Overtime
$1,634
Other pay
$836
Benefits
$63,465
Total compensation
$180,597

Danielle Ramos Den holds the role of Psychiatric Social Worker II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $180,597.

Fernando Espinoza

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$180,558
Base pay
$112,818
Overtime
$2,319
Other pay
$6,497
Benefits
$58,924
Total compensation
$180,558

At Public Defender, Fernando Espinoza serves as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender. Their 2025 pay totaled $180,558.

Deandra Hernandez

Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$180,427
Base pay
$112,272
Overtime
$754
Other pay
$2,521
Benefits
$64,880
Total compensation
$180,427

Deandra Hernandez works as a Psychiatric Social Worker II for Public Defender. Deandra earned $180,427 in 2025.

Blaine Shimazu

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$180,019
Base pay
$132,015
Overtime
$186
Other pay
$7,833
Benefits
$39,985
Total compensation
$180,019

At Public Defender, Blaine Shimazu serves as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender. Their 2025 pay totaled $180,019.

Frank Guzman

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$179,979
Base pay
$114,180
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$11,690
Benefits
$54,109
Total compensation
$179,979

Frank Guzman is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $179,979.

Eduardo Cardenas

Paralegal/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$179,034
Base pay
$90,375
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$6,457
Benefits
$82,202
Total compensation
$179,034

Eduardo Cardenas holds the role of Paralegal at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $179,034.

Emma Haas

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$178,935
Base pay
$113,225
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$7,021
Benefits
$58,689
Total compensation
$178,935

Emma Haas works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Emma earned $178,935 in 2025.

Amethyst Jefferson-Roberts

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$178,559
Base pay
$113,203
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$7,123
Benefits
$58,233
Total compensation
$178,559

Amethyst Jefferson-Roberts is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $178,559.

Myla Friedman

Senior Paralegal/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$178,485
Base pay
$100,726
Overtime
$1,065
Other pay
$12,392
Benefits
$64,302
Total compensation
$178,485

Myla Friedman holds the role of Senior Paralegal at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $178,485.

Llisle Browne

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$178,111
Base pay
$129,975
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$7,332
Benefits
$40,804
Total compensation
$178,111

Llisle Browne works as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender for Public Defender. Llisle earned $178,111 in 2025.

Patricia Smith

Management Secretary V/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$178,093
Base pay
$104,374
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$18,069
Benefits
$55,650
Total compensation
$178,093

Patricia Smith holds the role of Management Secretary V at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $178,093.

Marjorie Acosta

Paralegal/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,942
Base pay
$89,547
Overtime
$13,273
Other pay
$6,301
Benefits
$68,821
Total compensation
$177,942

At Public Defender, Marjorie Acosta serves as a Paralegal. Their 2025 pay totaled $177,942.

Francisco Ybarra Navarrete

Network Systems Administrator II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,653
Base pay
$117,918
Overtime
$5,805
Other pay
$7,023
Benefits
$46,907
Total compensation
$177,653

Francisco Ybarra Navarrete is a Network Systems Administrator II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $177,653.

Maria Sim

Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,644
Base pay
$115,687
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$979
Benefits
$60,978
Total compensation
$177,644

Maria Sim holds the role of Psychiatric Social Worker II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $177,644.

Alistair Robertson

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,496
Base pay
$112,131
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$2,381
Benefits
$62,984
Total compensation
$177,496

Alistair Robertson works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Alistair earned $177,496 in 2025.

Zoe Juarez

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,480
Base pay
$110,972
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$9,870
Benefits
$56,638
Total compensation
$177,480

Zoe Juarez is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $177,480.

James Hollo

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,288
Base pay
$110,972
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$10,605
Benefits
$55,711
Total compensation
$177,288

James Hollo holds the role of Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $177,288.

Adele Giraud

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,268
Base pay
$110,972
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,009
Benefits
$61,287
Total compensation
$177,268

Adele Giraud works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Adele earned $177,268 in 2025.

Thomas Cotugno

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,109
Base pay
$110,846
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$6,163
Benefits
$60,100
Total compensation
$177,109

Thomas Cotugno works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Thomas earned $177,109 in 2025.

Stacy Luong

Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,086
Base pay
$115,687
Overtime
$1,479
Other pay
$2,848
Benefits
$57,072
Total compensation
$177,086

Stacy Luong holds the role of Psychiatric Social Worker II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $177,086.

David Valdivia

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,078
Base pay
$109,624
Overtime
$1,524
Other pay
$6,517
Benefits
$59,413
Total compensation
$177,078

At Public Defender, David Valdivia serves as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender. Their 2025 pay totaled $177,078.

Ashley Cormier

Supervising Paralegal/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$177,011
Base pay
$108,294
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$17,566
Benefits
$51,151
Total compensation
$177,011

Ashley Cormier works as a Supervising Paralegal for Public Defender. Ashley earned $177,011 in 2025.

Aracely Abarca

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,979
Base pay
$111,402
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,150
Benefits
$61,427
Total compensation
$176,979

Aracely Abarca is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $176,979.

Mark Saleh

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,936
Base pay
$110,434
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$9,923
Benefits
$56,579
Total compensation
$176,936

At Public Defender, Mark Saleh serves as a Deputy Public Defender II. Their 2025 pay totaled $176,936.

Jesse Fernandez

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,928
Base pay
$111,004
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$12,131
Benefits
$53,793
Total compensation
$176,928

Jesse Fernandez is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $176,928.

Sara Beringer

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,907
Base pay
$110,972
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,997
Benefits
$60,938
Total compensation
$176,907

Sara Beringer works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Sara earned $176,907 in 2025.

Alec Watson

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,748
Base pay
$110,849
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,669
Benefits
$61,230
Total compensation
$176,748

Alec Watson is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $176,748.

Marc Basurto-Avila

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,681
Base pay
$110,972
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$10,031
Benefits
$55,678
Total compensation
$176,681

Marc Basurto-Avila holds the role of Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $176,681.

Argineh Ebrahimi

Administrative Services Manager I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,264
Base pay
$108,512
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$22,148
Benefits
$45,604
Total compensation
$176,264

Argineh Ebrahimi works as a Administrative Services Manager I for Public Defender. Argineh earned $176,264 in 2025.

Lauren Fukai

Supervising Paralegal/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$176,006
Base pay
$106,035
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$6,605
Benefits
$63,366
Total compensation
$176,006

Lauren Fukai works as a Supervising Paralegal for Public Defender. Lauren earned $176,006 in 2025.