Connecticut / Public Defender Services

Agency file

Public Defender Services

Source file: Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller — Open Payroll / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Public Defender Services handles legal functions of government — prosecution, legal advice, and representing the state in court.

In 2024, this agency had 407 employees with median total compensation of $5,169; the highest distinct record was $216,554.

Year: 2024
Total payroll: $2.6M
Employees: 407
Median total: $5,169
Highest record: $216,554

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$2$18,238+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How 2024 total compensation is spread across the 407 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($5,169) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $3,522 (54%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $481 (7%)
Benefits — $2,468 (38%)

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

$28

$449

$5,169

$8,063

$14,021

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $14,021 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $28. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Dcj/Dpdstranscriptionist

111 · $63

57 · $6,267

26 · $14,808

26 · $11,626

26 · $5,169

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

Joseph Lopez

Complex Litigation Director/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$550,663

Base pay: $196,167
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $164,953
Benefits: $189,542
Total compensation: $550,663
Hire date: 1997-03-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DPDS Chief Public Defenders
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: E.

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $221,127
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $8,472
Check Date: Nov 1, 2024
Check Number: 59143732
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 0286252FCC9F021B3755D739AC29497C

At Public Defender Services, Joseph Lopez serves as a Complex Litigation Director based in Hartford, CT. Their tenure dates to 1997, about 27 years, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $550,663. Their bargaining unit is DPDS Chief Public Defenders.

James Pastore

Dpdspublicdefender/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$395,117

Base pay: $221,584
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,413
Benefits: $167,119
Total compensation: $395,117
Hire date: 2009-01-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DPDS Chief Public Defenders
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $221,127
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $8,472
Check Date: Dec 27, 2024
Check Number: 59448070
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 0A9D5FC5C1617446E20EC034917AE117

James Pastore is a Dpdspublicdefender at Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. Hired in 2009, they have about 15 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $395,117. Union affiliation: DPDS Chief Public Defenders.

Lisa Stevens

Dpdssenasstpubdef/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$318,143

Base pay: $168,229
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,715
Benefits: $140,199
Total compensation: $318,143
Hire date: 1989-08-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: R.

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $166,981
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $6,398
Check Date: Oct 18, 2024
Check Number: 59108579
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 06A4D2AC9F7EA74A368FE22C062E3739

Lisa Stevens works as a Dpdssenasstpubdef for Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. Hired in 1989, they have about 35 years of service as a full-time employee. Lisa earned $318,143 in 2024. They are represented by DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381.

John Day

Dpdschiefpublicdefender/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$287,775

Base pay: $239,502
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $13,059
Benefits: $35,214
Total compensation: $287,775
Hire date: 1998-01-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DivPublicDefSrvs - Statutory
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $241,725
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $9,262
Check Date: Sep 6, 2024
Check Number: 58906617
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 0376745003789F0098C6F75D189C82A9

At Public Defender Services, John Day serves as a Dpdschiefpublicdefender based in Hartford, CT. Their tenure dates to 1998, about 26 years, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $287,775. They are represented by DivPublicDefSrvs - Statutory.

Michael Rodrigue

Dpdsasstpubdef/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$208,823

Base pay: $114,091
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $94,731
Total compensation: $208,823
Hire date: 2015-08-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $113,838
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $4,362
Check Date: Jul 26, 2024
Check Number: 58719052
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 019E73C207E58B69165A40766FA16EB7

Michael Rodrigue is a Dpdsasstpubdef at Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. Hired in 2015, they have about 9 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $208,823. Union affiliation: DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381.

Sean Scott

Dpdsdptyasstpubdef/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$168,499

Base pay: $97,453
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $71,047
Total compensation: $168,499
Hire date: 2022-04-08
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: Travis

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $94,935
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $3,637
Check Date: Jun 14, 2024
Check Number: 58534939
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 09311D1C8B2018267CD459243DDB8A04

Sean Scott works as a Dpdsdptyasstpubdef for Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. They have served since 2022 (about 2 years) as a full-time employee. Sean earned $168,499 in 2024. Their bargaining unit is DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381.

Emma Beman

Dpdsdptyasstpubdef/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$159,225

Base pay: $91,698
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $67,527
Total compensation: $159,225
Hire date: 2023-05-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: Holt

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $93,275
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $3,574
Check Date: Oct 4, 2024
Check Number: 59033826
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 0441F6D21AFCBE19F37D2FB9EE59996E

Emma Beman works as a Dpdsdptyasstpubdef for Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. Their tenure dates to 2023, about a year as a full-time employee. Emma earned $159,225 in 2024. They are represented by DPDS AsstPD AFSCME Local 381.

Nanci Ouellette

Dpdsparalegal1/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$135,607

Base pay: $81,860
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,663
Benefits: $52,084
Total compensation: $135,607
Hire date: 2009-04-13
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Judicial - Non-Professional
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $81,998
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $3,142
Check Date: Nov 15, 2024
Check Number: 59275922
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 030609E22586DC2598D849BF5A8BF0CE

Nanci Ouellette is a Dpdsparalegal1 at Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. Hired in 2009, they have about 15 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $135,607. They are represented by Judicial - Non-Professional.

Dominica Zdonek

Pubdefadminasst/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$125,617

Base pay: $70,546
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $55,071
Total compensation: $125,617
Hire date: 2023-03-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: DPDS Exempt
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: Agnes

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $71,760
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $2,749
Check Date: Sep 20, 2024
Check Number: 58970247
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 004178819BD1779B893B38E0881B8732

Dominica Zdonek is a Pubdefadminasst at Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. Hired in 2023, they have about a year of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $125,617. They are represented by DPDS Exempt.

Julia Wilson

Dpdsfellowshipinternattorney/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$103,218

Base pay: $61,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $41,727
Total compensation: $103,218
Hire date: 2024-04-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Other Non-Bargaining
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: G.

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $93,275
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $3,574
Check Date: Dec 13, 2024
Check Number: 59395171
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 06DC86F9903B48C223E7FEB6223C9702

At Public Defender Services, Julia Wilson serves as a Dpdsfellowshipinternattorney based in Hartford, CT. Their tenure dates to 2024, under a year, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $103,218. Their bargaining unit is Other Non-Bargaining.

Briana Paramhance

Dpdspublicdefenderseci/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$75,940

Base pay: $40,188
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $35,751
Total compensation: $75,940
Hire date: 2023-05-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Judicial - Non-Professional
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $52,542
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $2,013
Check Date: Nov 15, 2024
Check Number: 59234674
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 059331F88E6D3C484481B7670B8DA1FC

Briana Paramhance holds the role of Dpdspublicdefenderseci at Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. They have served since 2023 (about a year) as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $75,940. Their bargaining unit is Judicial - Non-Professional.

Lily Di Leo

Dpdsdptyasstpubdef/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$49,452

Base pay: $29,171
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $20,281
Total compensation: $49,452
Hire date: 2024-04-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Other Non-Bargaining
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: M.

Source-specific fields

Annual Rate: $69,956
Bi-Weekly Compensation Rate: $2,680
Check Date: Oct 18, 2024
Check Number: 59103878
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 00FC176252D66B42CD1241AE5D4AF538

Lily Di Leo holds the role of Dpdsdptyasstpubdef at Public Defender Services based in Hartford, CT. Their tenure dates to 2024, under a year as a full-time employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $49,452. Their bargaining unit is Other Non-Bargaining.

Theresa Jarrett

Dpdstempwkr(Socialwork)/Public Defender Services

2024 total comp

$36,205

Base pay: $21,358
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $14,847
Total compensation: $36,205
Hire date: 2024-07-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: Other Non-Bargaining
Work city: Hartford
Work state: CT
Work ZIP code: 06105
Middle name: E.

Source-specific fields

Check Date: Dec 27, 2024
Check Number: 59470561
Check Option: A
Check Status: F
Department ID: PDS98500
Employee ID Record: 06A2478986E2E4C7066DE1F36C000E5C
Fringe Benefits (Excl. Retirement): $632
Job Indicator: Primary

At Public Defender Services, Theresa Jarrett serves as a Dpdstempwkr(Socialwork) based in Hartford, CT. Hired in 2024, they have under a year of service, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $36,205. Union affiliation: Other Non-Bargaining.