POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has selected Margaret Walker to serve as Dutchess County Public Defender, following the recent retirement of longtime county Public Defender Thomas Angell. Walker, who currently serves as a Bureau Chief and the Office’s Director of Training, will be the first female and the sixth Public Defender in Dutchess County history.
The county legislature is expected to confirm the appointment at the January 16 meeting of the lawmakers. Walker will be leading an office of more than 35 lawyers, social workers, investigators, and support staff who are tasked with work in both the criminal and family courts.
“Margaret’s breadth of education, experience, and passion to serve others make her the ideal person to serve as our next Public Defender,” said County Executive Serino. “In addition to her well-deserved reputation as a capable leader and legal mind, she brings her education and prior work experience in community and counseling psychology, which is critically important in helping to meet client needs and assist them in rebuilding productive lives. Our community will be well-served with Margaret Walker as our Public Defender.”
Walker said, “I am honored to be part of the incredibly talented team at the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office. I look forward to continuing the Office’s reputation for providing a high standard of quality legal representation and continuing Tom Angell’s legacy of client-centeredness, as we help those in need strive to better their lives. I appreciate the confidence County Executive Serino has placed upon me, and I am excited to begin a new chapter of working toward greater fairness and equity in the criminal justice system in Dutchess County.”
Attorney James McEleney previously served in the public defender’s office before joining a private firm praised the selection. “Margaret Walker brings experience, tenacity, and humanity to a position that greatly…
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