SPD head says equal justice still not reality

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Wisconsin State Public Defender Nicholas L. Chiarkas is often asked why he chose the line of legal work he did.

His response is always the same — he subscribes to the concept of “justice for all.”

But after 22 years, the longest tenured Chief State Public Defender in the nation will retire in January and let someone else ensure that more than 140,000 indigent clients annually receive capable defense.

In addition to working with a staff of more than 500 in 38 offices throughout Wisconsin, Chiarkas has been tireless in his efforts to increase the private bar compensation rate for attorneys who take SPD case assignments.

He successfully championed to update eligibility standards for people to qualify for public defender representation and also founded the Justice without Borders program in 1998.

The former New York City police officer and Temple University Law School graduate took a few moments to reminisce in this week’s Asked & Answered segment.

WLJ: What do you value most about being a public defender?

State Public Defender Nicholas L. Chiarkas: What I value most are the people I work with at the Wisconsin Public Defender. They are my heroes. They have turned their backs to wealth, safety and deference in order to stand with our least favored, most vulnerable citizens.

WLJ: What is the most underrated skill attorneys should utilize in a courtroom?

Chiarkas: Listening.

WLJ: What is your favorite website and why?

Chiarkas: www.TED.com. TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas, Technology and entertainment. Take a peak and you’ll be hooked.

WLJ: If you could change one thing about Wisconsin’s legal system, what would it be?

Chiarkas: I would make Wisconsin’s legal system more concerned about justice for our poorest citizens rather than the expediency of the process.

WLJ: What is one thing attorneys should know that they won’t learn in law school?

Chiarkas: The client matters more than your ability to recite ancient law.

WLJ: What is the first concert you went to?

Chiarkas: In August of 1969, I was a New York City Police Officer and was asked to serve, with a handful of other NYPD cops, as security for Woodstock. It was not only my first concert; it was also my most memorable.

WLJ: If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why?

Chiarkas: I would trade places with Martin Luther King Jr. I believe if he replaced me for 24 hours he would use his incomparable wisdom, skills and stature to bring about a renaissance of social justice in Wisconsin which would go toward eliminating racial disparity in our criminal justice system.

WLJ: What is on your desk that you would most like to get rid of?

Chiarkas: The crew of invisible elves that add things to my to-do list faster than I can accomplish them.

WLJ: What is your most embarrassing moment as an attorney?

Chiarkas: How about as a cop instead? In 1966 I was assigned, in uniform, to a footpath in Central Park and lots of people were going to an outdoor concert in the park. I was twirling my night stick and it took a bad hop and I hit myself in the nose. Blood flowed fast all over my face. The people around me started rolling in the grass laughing.

WLJ: Where and when are you most happy?

Chiarkas: In my favorite chair curled up with a good book, a great glass of wine, soothing music in the background, surrounded by my best friend Judy, who just happens to be my wife; my son Josh, who will be off to college this September, so I cherish these moments all the more; my wicked cool dog Fletcher; and my cat Sylvia.

Jack Zemlicka can be reached at [email protected].