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

Vikki Clark

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: JD-12-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 533960

At Public Defenders Conference, Vikki Clark serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-12-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $142,140.

Parker Dixon

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: JD-26-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: O

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 351220

Parker Dixon is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-26-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $142,140.

James Lee

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: JD-25-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 107849

James Lee holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-25-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $142,140.

Jennifer Luther

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: JD-03-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 583693

Jennifer Luther is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-03-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $142,140.

Matthew Ridley

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: Appellate Division
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 143811

Matthew Ridley 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 $142,140.

James Stephens

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: JD-12-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 105282

James Stephens works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-12-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. James earned $142,140 in 2026.

David Stowers

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: JD-25-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Anthony

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 418335

At Public Defenders Conference, David Stowers serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-25-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $142,140.

Barrett Painter

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$142,140

Sub-department: JD-10-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $142,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,845
Employee ID: 601192

At Public Defenders Conference, Barrett Painter serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-10-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $142,140.

Timothy Boyer

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Andrew

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 712368

At Public Defenders Conference, Timothy Boyer serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Ashley Boyer

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Daniel

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 447614

Ashley Boyer holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Samuel Clemons

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-23-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 142334

Samuel Clemons works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-23-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Samuel earned $137,664 in 2026.

Jefre Goldtrap

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 603929

Jefre Goldtrap holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Chasity Hancock

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-13-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 446576

Chasity Hancock holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-13-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Danessa Herd

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 143588

At Public Defenders Conference, Danessa Herd serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Steven Hooper

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-23-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 568001

At Public Defenders Conference, Steven Hooper serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-23-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Kenneth Moynihan

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-07-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 598726

Kenneth Moynihan works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-07-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Kenneth earned $137,664 in 2026.

Phillip Ratliff

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 379764

Phillip Ratliff works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Phillip earned $137,664 in 2026.

Jay Perry

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 505938

Jay Perry 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 $137,664.

Preston Pierce

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-06-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 602396

Preston Pierce 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 $137,664.

James Tucker

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 447660

James Tucker holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,664.

Chad Wilson

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 179310

At Public Defenders Conference, Chad Wilson serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-11-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.

Ian Mccabe

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$137,664

Sub-department: JD-09-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $137,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $11,472
Employee ID: 517037

At Public Defenders Conference, Ian Mccabe serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-09-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,664.