Ronald L. Brown More photos >>

           Ronald L. Brown was sworn in as the Public Defender of Los Angeles County on January 5, 2011. Mr. Brown is the first African-American to head Los Angeles County’s Public Defender’s office and is only the 10th person to head the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, which opened its doors in 1914 as the nation’s first publicly funded indigent criminal defense agency. He leads a staff of more than seven hundred licensed attorneys plus a support staff of paralegals, investigators, social workers, and secretaries, all dedicated to the representation of indigent clients. The Public Defender represents adults who have been accused of felony or misdemeanor crimes, juveniles facing delinquency proceedings, involuntarily detained mental health patients, and persons with appellate and limited civil contempt matters.

Ron was born in Ogden, Utah, but was raised in Watts, Willowbrook, and Compton, where he graduated from Centennial High School. He was one of ten children supported by food stamps and other public assistance. Ron refused to be burdened by poverty but instead aimed high and obtained the first-class education he knew he would need to be a success in life. Ron received his undergraduate degree from USC in History in 1976 and his Juris Doctor from UCLA in 1979.

Mr. Brown’s most recent assignment before his promotion to Public Defender was Assistant Public Defender for Branch and Area Operations. Ron regularly attends management training programs, and his abilities have been recognized through his receipt of a variety of awards and commendations including a certificate of commendation from retired Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.

Ron is a 25-year resident of Long Beach and currently resides in Bixby Knolls with his wife Kathleen Bursley.