APPELLATE DIVISION
A defendant convicted of a criminal offense has a constitutional right to representation on direct appeal.
The Appellate Division of Tennessee’s District Public Defenders Conference provides direct representation for indigent clients in the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and Tennessee Supreme Court, which involves researching and writing appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments. The appellate attorneys also provide support for public defenders at the trial level, which involves reviewing, drafting, and editing pretrial motions and assisting with the development of trial records in anticipation of future appeals. The Appellate Division strives for excellence in written and oral advocacy with the goal of elevating the overall quality of criminal defense work in Tennessee while focusing on individual clients and improving client-specific outcomes.
Serving All Counties
Brennan Wingerter
Brennan M. Wingerter is the Appellate Director for the Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference. She graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law with High Honors and a concentration in Advocacy & Dispute Resolution. After law school, Brennan clerked for a Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, taught legal writing classes as a full-time law professor, and founded a regional law firm dedicated to appellate advocacy. Since joining the Public Defenders Conference in 2019, Brennan has closed her private practice but continues to serve as an adjunct professor from time to time. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, and she mentors law students through The Appellate Project.
Office Location
210 E Main St
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone (615)280-8739
Fax (615) 280-8048
