Tennessee / Public Defenders Conference

Agency file

Public Defenders Conference

Source file: Tennessee — State Employee Salaries / ingested Jun 18, 2026

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

In 2026, this agency had 514 employees with median total compensation of $106,596; the highest distinct record was $217,056.

Year: 2026
Total payroll: $60.2M
Employees: 514
Median total: $106,596
Highest record: $217,056

What the records show

Compensation analytics

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

Salary distribution

$981$217,056+

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

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 514 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($106,596) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $117,156 (100%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $0 (0%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

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

$73,476

$77,508

$106,596

$153,864

$185,724

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $185,724 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $73,476. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Assistant Public Defender

288 · $133,236

Pub Def Legal Secretary

77 · $74,784

Pub Def Investigator

38 · $84,828

Pub Def Office Manager

32 · $85,356

Public Defender

30 · $217,056

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.

Compare

Similar departments

Departments elsewhere with the most similar mix of roles — a proxy for the same kind of agency, matched by workforce composition rather than name. Pay is not cost-of-living adjusted.

Public Defender Cook County, Illinois91% match
Pdf General Sessions Team Metro Nashville90% match
Public Defender Rhode Island49% match

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Jennifer Hall

Pub Def Human Resources Assist/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$98,316

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $98,316
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,316
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,193
Employee ID: 362867

Jennifer Hall is a Pub Def Human Resources Assist at Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $98,316.

Anthony Bruner

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-21-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 549691

Anthony Bruner works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-21-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Anthony earned $97,596 in 2026.

Jessica Butler

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: Appellate Division
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 546524

At Public Defenders Conference, Jessica Butler serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Appellate Division. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $97,596.

Shonda Duncan

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-08-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 586517

Shonda Duncan works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-08-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Shonda earned $97,596 in 2026.

Margaret Greenway

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 543796

At Public Defenders Conference, Margaret Greenway serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $97,596.

Kaylee Houston

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-24-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 529538

At Public Defenders Conference, Kaylee Houston serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-24-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $97,596.

Skye Mcginley

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-21-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 720438

Skye Mcginley holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-21-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $97,596.

Linda Morrison

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-18-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Q

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 552954

Linda Morrison is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-18-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $97,596.

Whitney Trujillo

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Paige

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 603630

Whitney Trujillo is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $97,596.

Bradford Wood

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$97,596

Sub-department: JD-13-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $97,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Glenn

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,133
Employee ID: 664556

Bradford Wood is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-13-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $97,596.

Billy Huggins

Pub Def Investigator/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$95,326

Sub-department: JD-25-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $95,326
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,326
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay basis: Hourly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $46
Employee ID: 144702

Billy Huggins holds the role of Pub Def Investigator at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-25-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is part-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $95,326.

Herbert Piercy

Pub Def Forensic Social Worker/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$95,136

Sub-department: JD-08-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $95,136
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,136
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,928
Employee ID: 590226

At Public Defenders Conference, Herbert Piercy serves as a Pub Def Forensic Social Worker within Jd-08-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $95,136.

Elizabeth Surgenor

Pub Def Forensic Social Worker/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$95,136

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $95,136
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,136
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,928
Employee ID: 629196

At Public Defenders Conference, Elizabeth Surgenor serves as a Pub Def Forensic Social Worker within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $95,136.

Jennifer Arms

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 136876

Jennifer Arms works as a Pub Def Office Manager for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Jennifer earned $93,324 in 2026.

Melissa Daugherty

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-08-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 143123

Melissa Daugherty is a Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-08-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $93,324.

Rebekah Elam

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-25-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 338179

Rebekah Elam works as a Pub Def Office Manager for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-25-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Rebekah earned $93,324 in 2026.

Mary Mcneal

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-13-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 106005

Mary Mcneal holds the role of Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-13-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,324.

Amanda Sain

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-14-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 525203

Amanda Sain works as a Pub Def Office Manager for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-14-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Amanda earned $93,324 in 2026.

Dawn Smartt

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-12-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 130385

Dawn Smartt is a Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-12-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $93,324.

Emma Smith

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-21-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Beth

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 110943

Emma Smith works as a Pub Def Office Manager for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-21-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Emma earned $93,324 in 2026.

Kimberly Smith

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 125905

Kimberly Smith is a Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $93,324.

Andrea Spivy

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 148792

Andrea Spivy is a Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $93,324.

Lisa Troutt

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-18-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 473462

Lisa Troutt holds the role of Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-18-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,324.

Jeannine Wells

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-05-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 103751

Jeannine Wells works as a Pub Def Office Manager for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-05-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Jeannine earned $93,324 in 2026.

Christine Stover

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,324

Sub-department: JD-29-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,324
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Bibbs

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,777
Employee ID: 371217

Christine Stover holds the role of Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-29-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,324.

Heather Bosau

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 646525

Heather Bosau holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,144.

Jonathan Carroll

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 602573

Jonathan Carroll holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-11-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,144.

William Cathcart

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-31-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 624650

William Cathcart works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-31-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. William earned $93,144 in 2026.

Sarah Byers

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 559704

Sarah Byers is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $93,144.

Jennifer Davis

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 635257

At Public Defenders Conference, Jennifer Davis serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $93,144.

Brennan Foy

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-16-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 604705

Brennan Foy works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-16-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Brennan earned $93,144 in 2026.

Patrick Niblock

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-26-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 624841

Patrick Niblock holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-26-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,144.

Elijah Pack

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-12-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 568666

Elijah Pack works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-12-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Elijah earned $93,144 in 2026.

Thomas Rader

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-07-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 580340

Thomas Rader works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-07-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Thomas earned $93,144 in 2026.

Joseph Sandford

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Francis

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 709758

Joseph Sandford works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Joseph earned $93,144 in 2026.

Brooke Spivey

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 722252

Brooke Spivey works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-06-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Brooke earned $93,144 in 2026.

Robert Wagonschutz

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$93,144

Sub-department: JD-22-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $93,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,144
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,762
Employee ID: 564963

Robert Wagonschutz holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-22-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $93,144.

Heather Grigg

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$91,042

Sub-department: JD-15-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $91,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,042
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay basis: Hourly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $44
Employee ID: 144253

At Public Defenders Conference, Heather Grigg serves as a Pub Def Office Manager within Jd-15-Dist Pub Defender. They work part-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $91,042.