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
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Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Christopher Cornell serves as a Deputy Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $186,120.
Senior Departmental Personnel Technician/Public Defender
Leticia Arias is a Senior Departmental Personnel Technician at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $185,619.
Senior Application Developer/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Benjamin Levels Jr. serves as a Senior Application Developer. Their 2025 pay totaled $185,339.
Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender
Luisa Merino holds the role of Psychiatric Social Worker II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $184,441.
Information Systems Analyst II/Public Defender
Bonifacio Rosario is a Information Systems Analyst II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $184,363.
Deputy Public Defender IV/Public Defender
Tiffiny Blacknell is a Deputy Public Defender IV at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $184,230.
Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Sanaz Nikbakhsh serves as a Deputy Public Defender II. Their 2025 pay totaled $184,143.
Administrative Services Manager I/Public Defender
Janice Chen holds the role of Administrative Services Manager I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $183,234.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Billy Conway holds the role of Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $183,083.