TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Barry Kolar on May 19, 2022

The Shelby County’s Public Defender’s Office now has 21 vacant attorney positions, Tennessee Lookout reports, because it cannot offer competitive salaries. Chief Public Defender Phyllis Aluko on Wednesday told the Shelby County Budget and Finance Committee that she is struggling to hire and retain staff because experienced attorneys working as public defenders make far less than most attorneys in the state. A state public defender with 25 years of experience will make about $30,000 more than a Shelby County public defender with the same experience, she said.