The San Mateo County Bar Association’s Private Defender Program (PDP) was established in 1969 to provide high-quality, zealous legal representation for clients charged with crimes in San Mateo County who cannot afford an attorney. Overseen by a 15-member Board of Directors, PDP is a “Managed Assigned Counsel” (MAC) program committed to client-centered holistic representation.
The PDP is appointed by the San Mateo County Superior Court to represent financially eligible individuals at public expense. This includes people accused of felonies and misdemeanors, juveniles in delinquency cases, parents and juveniles in dependency cases, and cases brought under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act.
PDP's experienced attorneys are dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of their clients. PDP attorneys practice client-centered, holistic legal advocacy, which goes beyond traditional legal defense to address the full range of clients’ needs and break the cycle of incarceration.
PDP has been recognized by the Standing Committee Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants of the American Bar Association and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association as one of the preeminent indigent defense organizations in the country.
Lisa Maguire has led the Private Defender Program since 2019, overseeing a panel of dedicated defense attorneys who provide diligent and zealous representation to their clients. Under her leadership, the Program has expanded significantly to support a more holistic approach to client representation. Lisa first joined the Program as a criminal defense attorney in 2001, handling a wide range of cases, including serious felonies and homicide cases. An active leader in the legal community, Lisa serves on the board of the California Public Defender Association, and is a member of the Legislative Committee, and co-chairs the Amicus Committee. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Eleanor Falvey Award in 2023 for outstanding service to Women Lawyers and the San Mateo County legal community.
To learn more about the Private Defender Program and the great things it offers, please visit its website or contact the office at (650) 298-4000.
Read the annual reports below, created by Lisa Maguire, Chief Defender.
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