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
Mercedes Cook holds the role of Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $242,450.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Ali Siddiqi works as a Deputy Public Defender III for Public Defender. Ali earned $241,978 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Salena Tiet works as a Deputy Public Defender III for Public Defender. Salena earned $241,973 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Meredith Merkin is a Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $241,822.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Mark Corti serves as a Deputy Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $241,299.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Guillermina Arambula serves as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender. Their 2025 pay totaled $240,977.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
Melissa Fuentes holds the role of Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $240,215.
Investigator III, Public Defender/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Gregory Lawrence serves as a Investigator III, Public Defender. Their 2025 pay totaled $240,198.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Bryan Rowe is a Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $240,171.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Justin Page is a Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $239,860.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Christina Sturdevant holds the role of Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $239,356.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Tony Gomez serves as a Deputy Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $239,107.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Gegam Petrosyan is a Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $239,063.
Investigator III, Public Defender/Public Defender
Rhasaan Wilson works as a Investigator III, Public Defender for Public Defender. Rhasaan earned $238,812 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender
Michelle Loulis holds the role of Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $238,557.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Elizabeth Cirelli serves as a Deputy Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $238,537.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Susan Cooley works as a Deputy Public Defender III for Public Defender. Susan earned $238,478 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Zachary Davina is a Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $238,122.