Oct. 9, 2019

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MILWAUKEE — Kelli Thompson, Wisconsin state public defender, will be the featured guest in an upcoming “On the Issues with Mike Gousha,” Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 12:15 p.m. in the Lubar Center at Marquette Law School’s Eckstein Hall.

Created in 1977, the State Public Defender’s Office is an independent agency that seeks to ensure there is “justice for all” by providing legal representation to the indigent. In her role leading the office since 2011, Thompson oversees an agency with more than 600 employees located in 40 offices around Wisconsin. The SPD also uses private attorneys to meet the demand for legal representation. In recent years, the compensation rate has made it unaffordable for private attorneys to take on cases while the need for legal representation for the poor remained. Thompson will discuss if there really is “justice for all” and the greatest challenges facing the SPD today.

Gousha, an award-winning journalist, continues his “On the Issues” series of provocative and insightful interviews with local and national public officials, journalists and other newsmakers throughout the year. A complete schedule is available online.

Through public programming such as the Marquette Law School Poll, debates featuring candidates in significant political races, Gousha’s “On the Issues” conversations with newsmakers, public lectures by leading scholars and conferences on significant issues of public importance, the Law School serves as the region’s leading venue for serious civil discourse about law and public policy matters.

The event is open to members of the general public at no cost; registration is required and is available online. Members of the media who are interested in attending should contact Kevin Conway, associate director of university communication, at kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.

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About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.