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
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+

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.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 6

William Hickman

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-08-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 713596

William Hickman works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-08-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. William earned $124,308 in 2026.

Brittney Johnson

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-16-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Hollis

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 391138

Brittney Johnson works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-16-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Brittney earned $124,308 in 2026.

Elizabeth Jones

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-01-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 537108

Elizabeth Jones works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-01-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Elizabeth earned $124,308 in 2026.

Brandon Kibert

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-03-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 632796

Brandon Kibert works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-03-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Brandon earned $124,308 in 2026.

Jerry Moss

Pub Def Systems Administrative/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 111109

Jerry Moss is a Pub Def Systems Administrative at Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $124,308.

Sueanna Passolt

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-10-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 463422

Sueanna Passolt holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-10-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $124,308.

Mattea Rolin

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-17-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 724607

At Public Defenders Conference, Mattea Rolin serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-17-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $124,308.

John Schweri

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-32-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 638619

John Schweri holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-32-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $124,308.

Brantley Stewart

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 395787

Brantley Stewart works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Brantley earned $124,308 in 2026.

Elizabeth Williams

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$124,308

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $124,308
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,308
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,359
Employee ID: 511123

Elizabeth Williams works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-11-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Elizabeth earned $124,308 in 2026.

William Russell

Pub Def Systems Administrative/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$121,560

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $121,560
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,560
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,130
Employee ID: 136859

William Russell is a Pub Def Systems Administrative at Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $121,560.

Jeremy Armstrong

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-29-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 624709

Jeremy Armstrong works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-29-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Jeremy earned $119,940 in 2026.

Matthew Edwards

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-25-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 494771

Matthew Edwards 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 $119,940.

William Evans

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-08-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 611717

At Public Defenders Conference, William Evans serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-08-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $119,940.

Kendall Jones

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: Appellate Division
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Fisher Stivers

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 447783

At Public Defenders Conference, Kendall Jones serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Appellate Division. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $119,940.

Robert Koewler

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-19-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 446563

Robert Koewler works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-19-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Robert earned $119,940 in 2026.

Jamie Lowrance

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-25-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 368630

Jamie Lowrance is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-25-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $119,940.

Tessa Lunceford

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-02-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 143860

Tessa Lunceford is a Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-02-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $119,940.

Emily Roberts

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 617969

Emily Roberts works as a Assistant Public Defender for Public Defenders Conference within Jd-11-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. Emily earned $119,940 in 2026.

Gregory Thorne

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-19-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 626049

At Public Defenders Conference, Gregory Thorne serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-19-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $119,940.

Samuel Weaver

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-04-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 464731

At Public Defenders Conference, Samuel Weaver serves as a Assistant Public Defender within Jd-04-Dist Pub Defender. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $119,940.

Jonathan Wilson

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-11-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 613148

Jonathan Wilson 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 $119,940.

Timothy Wilson

Assistant Public Defender/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,940

Sub-department: JD-10-Dist Pub Defender
Base pay: $119,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,940
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,995
Employee ID: 513957

Timothy Wilson holds the role of Assistant Public Defender at Public Defenders Conference within Jd-10-Dist Pub Defender. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $119,940.

Adriane Adams

Pub Def Fiscal Services Assistant/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$119,460

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $119,460
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,460
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,955
Employee ID: 121044

Adriane Adams holds the role of Pub Def Fiscal Services Assistant at Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $119,460.

Jude Jeffers

Pub Def Information Systems Specialist 3/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$118,392

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $118,392
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,392
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,866
Employee ID: 134115

Jude Jeffers is a Pub Def Information Systems Specialist 3 at Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $118,392.

Brenda Moore

Pub Def Information Systems Specialist 3/Public Defenders Conference

2026 total comp

$118,392

Sub-department: Executive Director
Base pay: $118,392
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $118,392
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,866
Employee ID: 143334

Brenda Moore is a Pub Def Information Systems Specialist 3 at Public Defenders Conference within Executive Director. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $118,392.

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.