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
Highest-paid first / page 21
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Dylan Specht holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $150,551.
Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender
Leanna Lupin works as a Deputy Public Defender II for Public Defender. Leanna earned $150,425 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender
Carly Wasserman is a Deputy Public Defender II at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $150,385.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Portia Lee serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $150,315.
Management Analyst/Public Defender
Winfred Hilao-Fierros is a Management Analyst at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $150,226.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Lindsay Campbell serves as a Deputy Public Defender I. Their 2025 pay totaled $150,132.
Paralegal/Public Defender
Jan Lith holds the role of Paralegal at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $149,925.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Anna Silver is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $149,783.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Arren Hernandez works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Arren earned $149,585 in 2025.
Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant/Public Defender
Patricia Thomas holds the role of Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $149,579.
Psychiatric Social Worker II/Public Defender
Jennifer Macias works as a Psychiatric Social Worker II for Public Defender. Jennifer earned $149,458 in 2025.
Paralegal/Public Defender
Daeterria Mclucas holds the role of Paralegal at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $149,387.
Paralegal/Public Defender
Christel Rogers is a Paralegal at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $149,359.
Deputy Public Defender III/Public Defender
Toni Lambert holds the role of Deputy Public Defender III at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $149,220.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Jessica Nerz holds the role of Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $149,120.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Elaine Pennington works as a Deputy Public Defender I for Public Defender. Elaine earned $148,927 in 2025.
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.
Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant/Public Defender
Sabra Hannah holds the role of Supvg Legal Office Support Assistant at Public Defender. In 2025, their total compensation was $145,445.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Kendall Parker is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $145,384.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
Richard Estrada is a Investigator Ii,Public Defender at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $145,328.
Deputy Public Defender I/Public Defender
Anjali Narula is a Deputy Public Defender I at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $144,860.
Procurement Assistant II/Public Defender
Steve Hernandez works as a Procurement Assistant II for Public Defender. Steve earned $144,765 in 2025.
Investigator Ii,Public Defender/Public Defender
Rodrigo Amador works as a Investigator Ii,Public Defender for Public Defender. Rodrigo earned $144,760 in 2025.
Deputy Public Defender II/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Nicolas Marchese serves as a Deputy Public Defender II. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,619.
Senior Paralegal/Public Defender
Ladonia Coatney is a Senior Paralegal at Public Defender. 2025 total compensation came to $144,582.
Paralegal/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Janine Maldonado serves as a Paralegal. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,574.
Senior Paralegal/Public Defender
At Public Defender, Lizeth Ayala serves as a Senior Paralegal. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,495.