New Hampshire Public Defender
Maria Savarese is a highly accomplished attorney with extensive experience in public defense and judicial law. Currently serving as a Staff Attorney at the New Hampshire Public Defender since October 2020, Maria previously held the position of Judicial Law Clerk for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Nevada Supreme Court, where responsibilities included extensive research, writing, and preparation of legal documents for civil and criminal matters. Academic achievements include a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Boston University School of Law, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in Political Science and Government from Florida State University. Maria's practical experience encompasses roles in various legal settings, including public defender services and law clinics, where Maria actively represented clients and engaged in advocacy efforts related to criminal law.
New Hampshire Public Defender
The New Hampshire Public Defender was established in 1972 as a pilot project of New Hampshire Legal Assistance, and has existed as a stand-alone institution since 1985. Its sole purpose is to provide indigent defense services to citizens charged with crimes. The Program began with a single office in Concord. Over time, the Program opened satellite offices in other counties, and established administrative offices in its Merrimack County office, located in Concord, the state capital. In 1981, the Public Defender, in collaboration with the Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law), started the Appellate Defender Program, which provides indigent defense services to defendants who appeal their convictions to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Today, the Public Defender is an independent, non-profit, corporation with offices in every county. The Program works diligently to provide quality representation in a cost-effective manner to indigent defendants accused of crimes in all state courts. In addition to its attorneys, the Public Defender employs legal assistants, investigators, support staff, and information technology specialists, all of whom are dedicated to its core mission of serving indigent citizens accused of crimes.