23rd Circuit judges name new Kendall County public defender

Chief Judge Robert Pilmer has announced that the Circuit Judges of the 23rd Judicial Circuit in Kendall and DeKalb Counties have selected Attorney Jason D. Majer as the new public defender for Kendall County.

Majer, who was selected from a field of 15 applicants, will begin his term as public defender Jan. 3.

Majer is currently the managing partner of The Law Offices of Majer, Sheen & Piereth, P.C. He is a graduate of The John Marshall Law School, now known as the University of Illinois Chicago Law School and Illinois State University. He began his legal career in the McHenry County Public Defender’s Office before going into private practice.

He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association as well as several local county bar associations.

“We look forward to having Attorney Majer lead the public defender’s office. He is well-qualified to undertake this appointment,” Pilmer said in a statement.

The Illinois General Assembly established the public defender’s office based on belief that quality legal representation in criminal and related proceedings is a fundamental right of the people and there should be no distinction in the availability of quality legal representation based upon a person’s inability to pay.

In Kendall County, the public defender oversees an office with five assistant public defenders and one administrative staff member. The vacancy was created by the resignation of the previous public defender. Public defenders for each county are selected by the circuit judges, and serve an indefinite term at the pleasure of the circuit judges.

Pilmer also recognized the interim public defender, Attorney Kenneth E. Johnson, who accepted the appointment on short notice, knowing that it would be for a limited time.

“Attorney Ken Johnson is an example of a selfless individual who gladly accepted an interim appointment at a time when the office was going through a number of changes, and he has worked diligently to fully staff the office and train the new attorneys he hired. We greatly appreciate all that he has done in the past few months,” Pilmer said.

Johnson previously served as the public defender in DeKalb County, and was in private practice before accepting the interim appointment. He has long been an advocate for the legal system, and in particular, the private and public defense bar.