Brennan elected as chair of Wisconsin Public Defender Board James Brennan has been elected as chair of the Wisconsin Public Defender Board. The Wisconsin State Public Defender’s office announced its election results on Thursday. James Brennan Brennan is a former State Bar of Wisconsin president, chief staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee and executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He succeeds Regina Dunkin, community relations coordinator for Beloit Health System, as chair. Kelli Thompson, State Public Defender, said Brennan has spent his professional life fighting for the rights of those disadvantaged in life. Brennan said he couldn’t think of a greater calling to help people in need. He’s excited to continue the work of his predecessors and advance the work of SPD lawyers and staff.