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 7

Christopher Rippy

Pub Def Forensic Social Worker/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,576

Sub-department: JD-31-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,576
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,576
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,048
Employee ID: 247400

At Public Defenders Conference, Christopher Rippy serves as a Pub Def Forensic Social Worker within Jd-31-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $84,576.

Thomas Morgan

Pub Def Fiscal Services Assistant/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,576

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $84,576
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,576
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,048
Employee ID: 475588

Thomas Morgan is a Pub Def Fiscal Services Assistant at Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $84,576.

Tyler Graham

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-26-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 600988

At Public Defenders Conference, Tyler Graham serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-26-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $84,264.

Charles Tate

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-21-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 599415

Charles Tate works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-21-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Charles earned $84,264 in 2026.

Taylor Anderson

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-22-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 611121

At Public Defenders Conference, Taylor Anderson serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-22-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $84,264.

Dillon Douglas

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 603628

At Public Defenders Conference, Dillon Douglas serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $84,264.

Megan Noble

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-07-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 616562

At Public Defenders Conference, Megan Noble serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-07-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $84,264.

Sydney Pack

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 616137

Sydney Pack is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $84,264.

Ally Richey

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-03-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 603629

Ally Richey works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-03-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Ally earned $84,264 in 2026.

Jeffrey Devine

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$84,264

Sub-department: JD-32-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $84,264
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,264
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Isaac

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,022
Employee ID: 600996

Jeffrey Devine works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-32-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Jeffrey earned $84,264 in 2026.

Amber Gower

Pub Def Office Manager/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$81,720

Sub-department: JD-19-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $81,720
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,720
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,810
Employee ID: 447700

Amber Gower holds the role of Pub Def Office Manager at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-19-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $81,720.

Kimberly Henry

Pub Def Legal Secretary/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$81,624

Sub-department: JD-05-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $81,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,624
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,802
Employee ID: 587265

Kimberly Henry works as a Pub Def Legal Secretary for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-05-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Kimberly earned $81,624 in 2026.

Deanna Sturgill

Pub Def Legal Secretary/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$81,624

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $81,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,624
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,802
Employee ID: 103188

Deanna Sturgill works as a Pub Def Legal Secretary for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Deanna earned $81,624 in 2026.

Cindy Cates

Pub Def Legal Secretary/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$81,624

Sub-department: JD-14-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $81,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,624
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,802
Employee ID: 150759

At Public Defenders Conference, Cindy Cates serves as a Pub Def Legal Secretary within Jd-14-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $81,624.

Emily Thigpen

Pub Def Legal Secretary/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$81,624

Sub-department: JD-22-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $81,624
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,624
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,802
Employee ID: 104543

Emily Thigpen works as a Pub Def Legal Secretary for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-22-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Emily earned $81,624 in 2026.

Bree Conner

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$79,752

Sub-department: JD-07-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $79,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,752
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Nicole

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,646
Employee ID: 643458

Bree Conner holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-07-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $79,752.

Leroy Ellis

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$79,752

Sub-department: JD-18-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $79,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,752
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Johnson

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,646
Employee ID: 629411

Leroy Ellis works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-18-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Leroy earned $79,752 in 2026.

Raven Morris

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$79,752

Sub-department: Appellate Division
Base pay: $79,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,752
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,646
Employee ID: 572397

Raven Morris works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Appellate Division. Their status is full-time. Raven earned $79,752 in 2026.

Erica Paschall

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$79,752

Sub-department: JD-27-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $79,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,752
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,646
Employee ID: 723919

At Public Defenders Conference, Erica Paschall serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-27-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $79,752.

Sandra Phillips

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$79,752

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $79,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,752
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,646
Employee ID: 632915

Sandra Phillips works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Sandra earned $79,752 in 2026.

Shaneka Campbell

Pub Def Forensic Social Worker/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$79,284

Sub-department: JD-15-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $79,284
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,284
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,607
Employee ID: 639802

At Public Defenders Conference, Shaneka Campbell serves as a Pub Def Forensic Social Worker within Jd-15-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $79,284.

Sara Berry

Pub Def Legal Secretary/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$78,132

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $78,132
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,132
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,511
Employee ID: 339541

Sara Berry holds the role of Pub Def Legal Secretary at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $78,132.

Brandon Ferrell

Pub Def Investigator/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$77,508

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $77,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,508
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,459
Employee ID: 460880

Brandon Ferrell is a Pub Def Investigator at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $77,508.

Jeffrey Hamm

Pub Def Investigator/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$77,508

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $77,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,508
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,459
Employee ID: 591324

At Public Defenders Conference, Jeffrey Hamm serves as a Pub Def Investigator within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $77,508.

Virgil Mcneece

Pub Def Investigator/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$77,508

Sub-department: JD-12-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $77,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,508
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,459
Employee ID: 201288

Virgil Mcneece holds the role of Pub Def Investigator at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-12-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $77,508.

Laura Nettles

Pub Def Investigator/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$77,508

Sub-department: JD-14-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $77,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,508
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,459
Employee ID: 413158

At Public Defenders Conference, Laura Nettles serves as a Pub Def Investigator within Jd-14-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $77,508.

Karla Stuber

Pub Def Investigator/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$77,508

Sub-department: JD-07-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $77,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,508
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,459
Employee ID: 374410

Karla Stuber works as a Pub Def Investigator for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-07-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Karla earned $77,508 in 2026.

Jack Lakin

Pub Def Investigator/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$77,508

Sub-department: JD-05-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $77,508
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,508
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,459
Employee ID: 599242

Jack Lakin is a Pub Def Investigator at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-05-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $77,508.