Deputy director, general counsel named for public defender commission

A new general counsel and deputy director have been named for the Missouri Public Defender Commission.

Michael Barrett, a former deputy general counsel to Gov. Jay Nixon, will be general counsel and public information officer, replacing the retiring Peter Sterling. Joel Elmer, who has been a division director based in Kansas City for the Missouri State Public Defender System, will be the deputy director. Cat Kelly is the executive director.

Barrett has a law degree from Southern Illinois University and previously worked in several criminal justice and public safety positions in the state of New York. His wife, Sebrina Barrett, is The Missouri Bar’s executive director.

Elmer has been a division director for more than three years, overseeing up to 10 trial division offices in western Missouri. He also assists the public defender system with legislative matters. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law and a member of the Missouri Bar’s Board of Governors.