Indigent Defense in Louisville: Conditions for Unionization

Authors

Zane R. Phelps, University of LouisvilleFollow

Abstract

This paper begins by examining the unionization efforts of the Louisville Metro Public Defender Corporation and seeks to link those conditions with national trends to cultivate a rich understanding of why the attorneys are unionizing and what policy solutions they hope to achieve. After surveying the sources of funding and oversight for indigent defense across varying state systems, it synthesizes a policy recommendation wherein federal intervention (National Labor Relations Board), state and local government budgetary oversight and appropriations powers (Kentucky General Assembly, Louisville Metro Council), and the collective bargaining and unionization process (concerted activity), protected by law, are utilized in conjunction to bring the remedies the attorneys desire after.

Recommended Citation

Phelps, Zane R. (2023) "Indigent Defense in Louisville: Conditions for Unionization," The Cardinal Edge: Vol. 1: Iss. 3, Article 11.
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/tce/vol1/iss3/11