Marshall County Commissioners approve 2027 Public Defender Contracts amid ongoing attorney shortage

The Marshall County Commissioners have unanimously approved eight 2027 public defender contracts, as the county works to remain competitive in a challenging legal hiring market shaped by a statewide attorney shortage.

County Council member Brandon Schadek, who also serves as chairman of the Public Defender Board, presented the contracts to the Commissioners. The agreements cover six full-time public defender attorneys, an administrator, and a Guardian ad Litem.

Schadek noted that the attorney shortage continues to drive up costs, and that Indiana currently sits at half of the per capita lawyers needed. To remain competitive, the county is offering each of the six full-time attorneys a contract of $104,600, for a total of $627,600. Schadek explained that compensation must be equivalent to what the county's prosecutor is paid by the state.

He also pointed out a key funding challenge: in Indiana, counties are not reimbursed by the state for misdemeanor public defenders, which accounts for a significant portion of the county's expense. Cases above a misdemeanor, however, qualify for 40% reimbursement.

In addition to the six attorney contracts, Schadek presented contracts for the Guardian ad Litem and the administrator. Marshall County has contracted for a Guardian ad Litem for the past several years. Judge Surrisi noted that a Guardian ad Litem without a contract could cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500 per hour. Under the new contract, the county will pay $31,700 per year for an attorney serving in that capacity.

The final contract covers the administrator, who handles reporting to the state to secure reimbursement, and assigns and monitors the caseloads of the six attorneys to keep Marshall County in compliance with the Indiana Commission of Court-Appointed Attorneys. Her contract is also for $31,700.

The Commissioners approved all eight contracts unanimously.

Schadek highlighted the financial impact of the county's participation in the state reimbursement program, noting that Marshall County has received just over $120,000 in reimbursement so far. He said that in 2024 and 2025, the county was spending roughly $500,000 on public defenders.

"While I can't say at this moment that it is saving us money, we're definitely not losing interest," Schadek said. "We have significant interest, with 10 new attorneys having expressed interest in the county's program."