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

Kelly Douglas

Pub Def Executive Administrative Assistant 2/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$116,280

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $116,280
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,280
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,690
Employee ID: 147656

Kelly Douglas works as a Pub Def Executive Administrative Assistant 2 for Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. Their status is full-time. Kelly earned $116,280 in 2026.

Catherine Burnett

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-19-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Marie

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 714048

Catherine Burnett is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-19-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $115,488.

Amanda Cherry

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-22-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 544479

Amanda Cherry works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-22-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Amanda earned $115,488 in 2026.

Matthew Harrison

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Tyler

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 462491

Matthew Harrison works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Matthew earned $115,488 in 2026.

Shannon Holt

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Jean

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 519428

Shannon Holt holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $115,488.

Michael Howard

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-23-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Tyler

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 621753

Michael Howard works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-23-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Michael earned $115,488 in 2026.

Willis Mckee

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-14-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 498648

Willis Mckee works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-14-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Willis earned $115,488 in 2026.

Melissa Owens

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 589174

Melissa Owens works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Melissa earned $115,488 in 2026.

James Patterson

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-18-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Arlie

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 662420

James Patterson holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-18-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $115,488.

Benjamin Stallard

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-09-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: David

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 664552

Benjamin Stallard works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-09-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Benjamin earned $115,488 in 2026.

Zachary Talbot

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,488

Sub-department: JD-23-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $115,488
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,488
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Louis

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,624
Employee ID: 667340

At Public Defenders Conference, Zachary Talbot serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-23-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $115,488.

Victor Johnson

Pub Def Junior Systems Administrative/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$115,212

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $115,212
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,212
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,601
Employee ID: 120943

Victor Johnson works as a Pub Def Junior Systems Administrative for Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. Their status is full-time. Victor earned $115,212 in 2026.

James Landstreet

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$114,400

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $114,400
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $114,400
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay basis: Hourly
Middle name: Collins

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $55
Employee ID: 401116

James Landstreet holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is part-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $114,400.

Kelley Pendergrass

Pub Def HR Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$112,572

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $112,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,572
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Shirley

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,381
Employee ID: 358162

Kelley Pendergrass works as a Pub Def HR Manager for Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. Their status is full-time. Kelley earned $112,572 in 2026.

Kevin Stallings

Pub Def Information Systems Specialist 3/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$112,044

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $112,044
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,044
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,337
Employee ID: 279164

Kevin Stallings works as a Pub Def Information Systems Specialist 3 for Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. Their status is full-time. Kevin earned $112,044 in 2026.

Jacquelyn Burke Carroll

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-10-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 599241

Jacquelyn Burke Carroll works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-10-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Jacquelyn earned $111,012 in 2026.

Winston Davis

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-15-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 643144

At Public Defenders Conference, Winston Davis serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-15-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $111,012.

Jenae Easterly

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 582085

Jenae Easterly works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Jenae earned $111,012 in 2026.

Donald Irwin

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-21-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 626687

Donald Irwin is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-21-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $111,012.

Raymond Jones

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-15-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Douglas

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 488439

Raymond Jones is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-15-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $111,012.

Wendal Norris

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-09-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Joseph

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 488083

Wendal Norris is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-09-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $111,012.

Hannah Pieterse

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 713073

At Public Defenders Conference, Hannah Pieterse serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $111,012.

Mitchell Raines

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: Appellate Division
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 568183

Mitchell Raines holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Appellate Division. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $111,012.

Andrew Vodden

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$111,012

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $111,012
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,012
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,251
Employee ID: 603141

At Public Defenders Conference, Andrew Vodden serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $111,012.