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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

Desirae Ibarra

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$36,203
Base pay
$28,955
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,496
Benefits
$1,752
Total compensation
$36,203

Desirae Ibarra works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Desirae earned $36,203 in 2025.

Clarissa Alvarez

Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$36,077
Base pay
$29,545
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,000
Benefits
$1,532
Total compensation
$36,077

Clarissa Alvarez is a Student Professional Worker I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $36,077.

Dana Plummer

Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$35,478
Base pay
$34,971
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$507
Total compensation
$35,478

Dana Plummer holds the role of Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $35,478.

Mumbi Ngugi

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$34,131
Base pay
$23,331
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$3,457
Benefits
$7,343
Total compensation
$34,131

Mumbi Ngugi is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $34,131.

Donald Bullock

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$33,313
Base pay
$26,762
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,122
Benefits
$1,429
Total compensation
$33,313

At Public Defender, Donald Bullock serves as a Senior Law Clerk. Their 2025 pay totaled $33,313.

Bavley Mobarak

Student Professional Worker, Information Technician/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$32,912
Base pay
$26,497
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,000
Benefits
$1,415
Total compensation
$32,912

At Public Defender, Bavley Mobarak serves as a Student Professional Worker, Information Technician. Their 2025 pay totaled $32,912.

Carolyn Mehrtens

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$30,743
Base pay
$17,913
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$2,808
Benefits
$10,022
Total compensation
$30,743

Carolyn Mehrtens holds the role of Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $30,743.

Marianna Sinanyan

Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$30,448
Base pay
$15,331
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,061
Benefits
$11,056
Total compensation
$30,448

Marianna Sinanyan holds the role of Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $30,448.

Jenna Won

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$30,338
Base pay
$17,530
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$2,722
Benefits
$10,086
Total compensation
$30,338

At Public Defender, Jenna Won serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $30,338.

Felisa Dizon

Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$30,114
Base pay
$16,200
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,803
Benefits
$12,111
Total compensation
$30,114

At Public Defender, Felisa Dizon serves as a Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant. Their 2025 pay totaled $30,114.

Karen Khukoyan

Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$29,441
Base pay
$22,790
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,396
Benefits
$1,255
Total compensation
$29,441

Karen Khukoyan is a Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $29,441.

Peter Foster

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$29,014
Base pay
$22,211
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,357
Benefits
$1,446
Total compensation
$29,014

Peter Foster holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $29,014.

Kaiya Mccullough

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$29,004
Base pay
$22,205
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,353
Benefits
$1,446
Total compensation
$29,004

At Public Defender, Kaiya Mccullough serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $29,004.

Daniel Golub

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,829
Base pay
$22,205
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,350
Benefits
$1,274
Total compensation
$28,829

Daniel Golub works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Daniel earned $28,829 in 2025.

Matthew Wu

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,827
Base pay
$22,205
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,350
Benefits
$1,272
Total compensation
$28,827

Matthew Wu is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,827.

Caitlyn Miranda

Student Professional Worker I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,757
Base pay
$22,520
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,000
Benefits
$1,237
Total compensation
$28,757

Caitlyn Miranda works as a Student Professional Worker I for Public Defender. Caitlyn earned $28,757 in 2025.

Jade Magana

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,729
Base pay
$21,946
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,348
Benefits
$1,435
Total compensation
$28,729

At Public Defender, Jade Magana serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $28,729.

Pamela Croft

Senior Paralegal/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,722
Base pay
$28,312
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$411
Total compensation
$28,722

Pamela Croft is a Senior Paralegal at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,722.

Micalyn Struble

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,692
Base pay
$22,076
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,348
Benefits
$1,268
Total compensation
$28,692

Micalyn Struble holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $28,692.

Nathan Williams

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,689
Base pay
$22,076
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,347
Benefits
$1,266
Total compensation
$28,689

Nathan Williams works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Nathan earned $28,689 in 2025.

Caitlin Tran

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,453
Base pay
$21,687
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,343
Benefits
$1,423
Total compensation
$28,453

Caitlin Tran holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $28,453.

Katie Selko

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,421
Base pay
$21,817
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,346
Benefits
$1,258
Total compensation
$28,421

Katie Selko holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $28,421.

Kerry Rork

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,396
Base pay
$22,076
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,221
Benefits
$1,099
Total compensation
$28,396

At Public Defender, Kerry Rork serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $28,396.

Gillian Norton

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,384
Base pay
$21,946
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,346
Benefits
$1,092
Total compensation
$28,384

Gillian Norton works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Gillian earned $28,384 in 2025.

Theresa Aronson

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,366
Base pay
$21,930
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,345
Benefits
$1,091
Total compensation
$28,366

At Public Defender, Theresa Aronson serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $28,366.

Jenna Mcintosh

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,349
Base pay
$21,914
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,345
Benefits
$1,090
Total compensation
$28,349

Jenna Mcintosh works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Jenna earned $28,349 in 2025.

Alayah Byers

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,053
Base pay
$21,623
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,353
Benefits
$1,077
Total compensation
$28,053

Alayah Byers is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,053.

Katherine Rojas

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$28,010
Base pay
$21,429
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,338
Benefits
$1,243
Total compensation
$28,010

Katherine Rojas is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $28,010.

Sydney Wong

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$27,982
Base pay
$21,526
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,211
Benefits
$1,245
Total compensation
$27,982

Sydney Wong holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $27,982.

Michael Diamandakis

Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$27,389
Base pay
$20,846
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,329
Benefits
$1,214
Total compensation
$27,389

Michael Diamandakis is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $27,389.

Jordy Moreno

Student Professional Worker, Information Technician/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$27,294
Base pay
$21,121
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,999
Benefits
$1,174
Total compensation
$27,294

At Public Defender, Jordy Moreno serves as a Student Professional Worker, Information Technician. Their 2025 pay totaled $27,294.

Anthony Gilmore

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$27,136
Base pay
$20,969
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,000
Benefits
$1,167
Total compensation
$27,136

Anthony Gilmore holds the role of Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $27,136.

Diana Aguilar

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$27,001
Base pay
$20,840
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,000
Benefits
$1,161
Total compensation
$27,001

At Public Defender, Diana Aguilar serves as a Senior Law Clerk. Their 2025 pay totaled $27,001.

Kristen Ferkich

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$26,866
Base pay
$20,710
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,001
Benefits
$1,155
Total compensation
$26,866

At Public Defender, Kristen Ferkich serves as a Senior Law Clerk. Their 2025 pay totaled $26,866.

Bryana Espinoza

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$26,595
Base pay
$20,452
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,999
Benefits
$1,144
Total compensation
$26,595

Bryana Espinoza holds the role of Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $26,595.

Brianna Figueroa

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$26,539
Base pay
$24,685
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$734
Benefits
$1,120
Total compensation
$26,539

Brianna Figueroa is a Senior Law Clerk at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $26,539.

Wayne Jackson

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$26,528
Base pay
$20,387
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,000
Benefits
$1,141
Total compensation
$26,528

Wayne Jackson works as a Senior Law Clerk for Public Defender. Wayne earned $26,528 in 2025.

Daphane Poingsett

Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$26,495
Base pay
$0
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$11,417
Benefits
$15,078
Total compensation
$26,495

Daphane Poingsett works as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender for Public Defender. Daphane earned $26,495 in 2025.

Garrett Miller

Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$25,553
Base pay
$14,080
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$4,269
Benefits
$7,204
Total compensation
$25,553

At Public Defender, Garrett Miller serves as a Deputy Public Defender III. Their 2025 pay totaled $25,553.

Naira Khalid

Senior Law Clerk/Public Defender

2025 total comp
$25,470
Base pay
$19,375
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$5,000
Benefits
$1,095
Total compensation
$25,470

Naira Khalid works as a Senior Law Clerk for Public Defender. Naira earned $25,470 in 2025.