Lisa B. McLean
Public Defender
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Meet the Staff
Brandon Selph
Intake, Training/Recruitment, & Post-Conviction Litigation Bureau Chief
Meet Brandon
Lisa B. McLean
Public Defender
Lisa McLean is a native Floridian and has lived in the Tampa Bay community for over 40 years. She is one of 3 daughters born to working-class parents. Lisa is a first-generation college graduate who worked her way through school at the University of South Florida and Stetson University College of Law.
While at Stetson, Lisa interned with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office and found her calling as a trial lawyer dedicated to public service. Lisa has worked for the State Attorney’s Office as a felony trial lawyer, the Public Defender’s office as a division chief, the Office of Statewide Prosecution as a bureau chief, and in private practice as an associate with the Escobar law firm. In 2006, she launched her own successful defense firm. Lisa’s experience gives her a unique perspective on the criminal justice system and enables her to work across the aisle in the pursuit of equal justice for all.
Lisa is ready on day one to address the root causes of crime in our communities, the challenge of reentry, and the need for bail reform. She will bring a fresh perspective to the goal of fiscal responsibility and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely and efficiently. And as importantly, Lisa will bring her brand of practical idealism to create an atmosphere of inclusivity, appreciation, and trust.
William A. Knight
Felony Bureau Chief
Will started his legal career at the Office of the Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit where he went from county court line attorney to felony division chief in approximately three years. After leaving the Public Defender’s Office a year and a half later, Will went into private practice where he concentrated on criminal defense while also handling almost every type of civil case over the span of his time in the private sector. Will has been a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Specialist since 2000 and will provide experienced leadership to the Felony Bureau with an appreciation for the responsibilities held by the felony attorneys, having served in those roles himself before. Enthusiasm and dedication to all goals of Public Defender Lisa McLean’s Office will be priorities for the Felony Bureau, combined with a unified effort to help make the office an example for any office dedicated to indigent criminal defense and matters related thereto. Will received his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and his B.A. from Columbia College of Columbia University.
Antina Mobley
Juvenile/Misdemeanor Bureau Chief
Ms. Mobley received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. After being admitted to the Florida Bar, Ms. Mobley began her career with the Office of the Public Defender as a Special Appointed Public Defender and has since remained with the office. Ms. Mobley has dedicated her career to public service representing Hillsborough County citizens in all of the office's bureaus, including an area of special interest, the holistic representation of juveniles charged with criminal offenses. In addition to supervising the Misdemeanor and Juvenile Bureau and Career Attorney Development, Ms. Mobley represents the office on the Juvenile Justice Board and Safe & Sound Hillsborough’s Policy and Governance Board. Additionally, Ms. Mobley is a member of the Florida Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and serves as the Co-Chair of the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Pro-Bono Awards Committees. Ms. Mobley is also a member of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, and the Board of Trustees for Abe Brown Ministries.
Brandon Selph
Intake, Training/Recruitment, & Post-Conviction Litigation Bureau Chief
Brandon Selph is currently the Director of Training and Recruitment for the office. He oversees the office's Intake Bureau, office training programs, and internship program. He began his legal career when he joined Ms. Holt’s office in September 2004. During his tenure with the office, he has worked in every bureau. In addition to his duties with the Office of the Public Defender, Brandon is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tampa and a former member of the Bar Grievance Committee 13B. Brandon graduated in 2001 from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and received his Juris Doctorate from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 2004. He has called Tampa Bay home since 1996.
Jennifer Spradley
Homicide Bureau Chief
Jennifer Spradley is currently the Homicide Bureau Chief. She joined Ms. Holt’s office in 2005. She began her legal career as an assistant public defender in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Jennifer is a Florida Bar board-certified expert in the area of criminal trial law. She has practiced criminal law since 1999 and has tried over 100 jury trials including homicide and death penalty cases. Jennifer graduated in 1996 from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Arts and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami in 1999.
Kori Warren
Chief Investigator
Chief Kori Warren has been an investigator with the office for over 20 years. Much of her tenure has been in the Homicide Bureau as a Capital Homicide Investigator.
Chief Warren is a graduate of American University in Washington, DC where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Additionally, Chief Warren has advanced training in law enforcement, death investigation, defense training, and death penalty defense.
Prior to transitioning into criminal defense investigations, Chief Warren interned with the Executive office of the President, the U.S. Marshall’s Office, and with the United States Attorney’s Office. Her career began with the Commonwealth of Virginia as a State Trooper. Chief Warren relocated to the Tampa Bay area and began working with the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office as a Forensic Investigator. She accepted an opportunity with the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel as a Homicide Investigator and later transferred to the Office of the Public Defender in June of 2001.
Chief Warren is an active member in the Florida Public Defenders Association’s Chief Investigators Committee, is a Board-Certified Criminal Defense Investigator and a member of the Criminal Defense Investigation Training Counsel.
Lateasha Simms
Human Resources Director
Lateasha Simms serves as the Human Resources Director of the Office of the Public Defender. She matriculated at Chipola Junior College where she attained an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration then continued her education at the University of Florida where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a minor in Education in 1998. Mrs. Simms later attended Troy University where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Management with a concentration in Human Resources.
After completing her studies at the University of Florida, she was employed as the Operations Manager at Beall’s Department Stores, Inc. She then was employed by the State of Florida in the Department of Children and Families as an Economic Self-Sufficient Specialist. Mrs. Simms was then employed at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office as a Human Resource Analyst. She has been employed with the Office of the Public Defender as the Human Resource Director since November of 2020.
Mrs. Simms is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she has served on the executive leadership team. She is also a member of the Women’s Missionary Society and Minister Spouses Alliance of the African Methodist Episcopal Church where she has served in various leadership roles.
Jackie Bowman
Support Staff Director
Jackie Bowman is the Support Staff Director for the office. In addition to overseeing all support staff functions, she is responsible for collaborating closely with the leadership team to optimize workflow, implement efficient procedures and maintain comprehensive written policies ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the office. Jackie joined the office in February 1990 and during her tenure with the office, she has worked in every bureau as a legal assistant, administrative assistant, trainer, and supervisor. From her early days at PD13 to becoming the Director of Support Staff, Jackie has played a key role in our office’s success. Jackie graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature. She is a proud military brat who was born in California and traveled the world with her family living in three continents/five states before calling the Tampa Bay area home.
Catisha Smith
Felony Division Chief
Ms. Smith received her Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida and her Juris Doctorate from Barry University, College of Law. While attending law school, Ms. Smith was a substitute elementary school teacher with the Hillsborough County School District. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in September of 2008, she began her career in public service with our office and has remained with the Public Defender’s Office since that time. Ms. Smith has dedicated her career to public service and has represented the citizens of Hillsborough County in all areas of the office. Currently, Ms. Smith holds the position of Division Chief in our Felony Bureau. In addition to her duties as Division Chief, she actively participates in the training, education, and professional development of attorneys and support staff.
Marie Marino
FBHIU Division Chief
Marie Marino is the Director of the Forensic Behavioral Health Intervention Unit. In this specialty unit she addresses pervasive behavioral health issues of indigent criminal and juvenile defendants, and individuals subjected to involuntary placement proceedings due to mental illness or intellectual disability. She oversees a staff of attorneys and case managers who represent participants in the Circuit’s Problem-Solving Courts: Mental Health Court, Juvenile Mental Health Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and Drug Courts. She collaborates in the community and with criminal justice stakeholders to decriminalize mental illness, maximize community resources and funding opportunities, increase utilization pathways, and develop initiatives including diversion programs and specialty courts aimed at improving the welfare of individuals with impairing behavioral health issues while promoting public safety.
Dalton E. McKeever III
Felony Division Chief
I graduated from Roger Williams University in 2002 with my Juris Doctorate and the University of Central Florida with honors in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. I have worked at the Office of the Public Defender (in total) for approximately 23 years and as a Felony Division Chief for over 18 years- I believe in the importance of fighting for my clients-I have had over 150 jury trials in cases ranging from 3rd degree felonies through capital felonies.
Nicole Engebretsen
Felony Division Chief
Ms. Engebretsen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from the University of West Florida, Summa Cum Laude, and a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida. While in graduate school, she worked as a mental health program analyst at Florida State Hospital. Ms. Engebretsen received her Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude, from Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2015, she began her legal practice in immigration law and then became an Assistant Public Defender in 2016. She also handled capital post-conviction appeals for 18 months. Ms. Engebretsen is admitted to practice law in Florida, the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Supreme Court.
Alan R. Sandler
Intake Division Chief
Alan Sandler is a lifelong Tampa resident who attended Chamberlain High School and earned a BA degree from the University of South Florida in Criminal Justice. After earning his degree, Mr. Sandler attended St. Thomas University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree.
After graduation, Mr. Sandler began his career as an Assistant Public Defender in Tampa. During his stay at the Public Defender’s Office, Mr. Sandler was promoted to Lead Trial Attorney and tried dozens of cases including murder, robbery, sexual battery and other serious felonies.
After leaving the Public Defender’s Office, Mr. Sandler engaged in the Private Practice of law, focusing his practice on Criminal Law and Personal Injury cases. Mr. Sandler has tried over 100 criminal jury trials to verdict.
Michelle Book
Juvenile Division Chief
Michelle Book is a native of Tampa and she received her undergraduate degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida. After volunteering as a Guardian Ad Litem, Michelle discovered a passion for advocacy which led her to law school at the University of Miami on a public interest scholarship. Upon graduating with her Juris Doctorate in 2003 she began her legal career at the Public Defender’s Office. Michelle has worked in every bureau of the office but has focused exclusively on representing juveniles for the past decade. Michelle is now the Juvenile Division Chief and in addition to training new attorneys, focuses on children facing direct file in adult court, charged with sexual or firearm offenses and children in foster care who have criminal charges pending.
J. Ruffin Hunt
Misdemeanor Division Chief
Born and Raised in Tampa, FL, Ruffin Hunt Graduated from the University of Florida and Stetson College of Law before beginning his career with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender. In 2022 Ruffin ventured out into private practice, representing clients charged with criminal offenses in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk County. Ruffin returned to the Public Defender’s Office in 2024 and was a Supervisor in Intake and Felony prior to becoming the Misdemeanor Chief. Ruffin’s entire career has been focused on criminal defense in the Tampa Bay area.
Lauren Nayrouz
FBHIU Deputy Director
Lauren Nayrouz is the Deputy Director of the Forensic Behavioral Health Unit. She helps the Director of the unit to oversee attorneys and case managers who represent participants in the Circuit’s Problem-Solving Courts: Adult Mental Health Court, Juvenile Mental Health Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and Drug Courts. She represents clients in the Veteran’s Treatment Court and Adult Mental Health Courts while providing support to the attorneys in the Juvenile Mental Health Court and Drug Court. She is the office expert on Mental Health, Competency, and Treatment Court Best practices and conducts inter-office training on these subjects to aid in the representation of clients facing these issues.
Sean Stephens
Felony Division Chief
Sean Stephens received both his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Juris Doctorate from Florida State University. While attending FSU College of Law he participated in the school’s Children’s Advocacy Clinic and Children in Prison Project and interned at the Innocence Project. Through these extracurricular activities, he realized his passion for defense work and serving those who are underprivileged. After graduating law school Sean began working at the Public Defender’s Office. He is now the Division Chief in Felony Division C.
Patrick Hood
Felony Division Chief
Patrick Hood is currently a Division Chief in the Felony Bureau. His duties include handling the more serious cases and mentoring and training the younger attorneys. He supervises a team of felony attorneys day to day. Patrick Hood was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. He attended the University of South Florida and earned a bachelor's degree in history. Upon graduation, he started his law career as an assistant in a family law practice. Following, he started law school at Stetson University School of Law. Hood worked full-time during the day and attended law school at night. He has been employed at the Office of the Public Defender since 2015.