June 19, 2024 – The State Public Defender Board has appointed Jennifer Bias the State Public Defender. The move came during a board meeting held in Madison on Friday, June 14.

Bias has served as the State Public Defender’s Trial Division Director since 2015. She has also worked as an attorney and manager at the State Public Defender's Office (SPD).

“Jennifer will be a tremendous leader as State Public Defender,” said SPD Board Chair Ellen Thorn in a press release.

“Her experience as an attorney and manager as well as her dedication to the mission of the Public Defender’s office will serve the clients, staff, legal system, and citizens of Wisconsin well.

Bias has served on the Pardon Advisory Board, the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission, the Commission to Reduce Racial Disparity in the Wisconsin Criminal Justice System, and the Governor’s Task Force on Racial Profiling. She has also served on the Racine County Bar Association’s board of governors.

Bias received her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and her undergraduate degree from U.W.​-Platteville.

In 2020, Bias was awarded the Kutak-Dobbs Defender Award from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

“I’m honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by the SPD Board and look forward to leading the Public Defender’s office in pursuit of guaranteeing the Sixth Amendment right to counsel in Wisconsin,” Bias said in the press release.

State Bar of Wisconsin Executive Director Larry Martin praised Bias’ appointment.

“The State Public Defender Board has made a sound choice in choosing Jennifer Bias as Wisconsin’s new State Public Defender,” Martin said in a statement.

“As a member of the State Bar Ethics Committee since 2019, we know her good work and look forward to working with Jennifer and her team in making access to justice in Wisconsin a reality for all.”