PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County named Matthew Dugan, Esq. as the new Chief Public Defender.

County Manager William D. McKain announced that Matthew Dugan was appointed to the position on Jan. 14.

“We are proud of the work that has been done in the Public Defender’s office under the administration to ensure that our residents have effective and vigorous representation,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Under Matt’s leadership, the improvements to the office will continue to be transformational for the clients that are served, with an increased focus on connecting clients with services and resources that they need to take better control of their lives.”

Dugan started in the Public Defender’s office as a trial attorney in 2007. He was promoted to trial manager in 2013. Dugan then became the Deputy of the Pre-Trial Division in March 2016. In September 2018, Dugan assumed the role of Chief Deputy Director.

“Congratulations to Mr. Dugan on his appointment as the Chief Public Defender,” said President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark. “The Public Defender’s Office is an integral part of our Criminal Justice system and Matt’s leadership in that office has been evident. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role as a collaborator on system-wide issues that impact his clients and as an advocate for the office and the people it serves.”

Dugan is an elected member of the Moon Area School District Board of Education and serves on the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee for the state following the appointment by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last year. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. He and his family reside in Moon Township.