Brennan elected as chair of Wisconsin Public Defender Board.

Byline: Michaela Paukner, mpaukner@wislawjournal.com

James Brennan has been elected as chair of the Wisconsin Public Defender Board.

The Wisconsin State Public Defender's office announced its election results on Thursday.

Brennan is a former State Bar of Wisconsin president,chief staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee and executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.Hesucceeds Regina Dunkin, community relations coordinator for Beloit Health System, as chair.

Kelli Thompson, State Public Defender, said Brennan has spent hisprofessional life fighting for the rights of those disadvantaged in life. Brennan said he couldn't think of a greater calling to help people in need. He's excited to continue thework of his predecessors and advance the work of SPD lawyers and staff.

The board also electedJohn Hogan as vice chair. Hogan, a former Oneida County district attorney, runs Hogan Law Office, specializing in trial practice in the Rhinelander-Minocqua area. Ellen Thorn will serve as secretary...