Candelora appoints Herman Woodard to Public Defender Services Commission, replacing Bill Dyson.

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Haven) Tuesday appointed Hartford area lawyer Herman Woodard as a member of the Public Defender Services Commission. Woodard, a Republican, replaces former state Representative William Dyson, a new Haven Democrat whose term expired soon September 30th. Woodard’s appointment is effective immediately.

Woodard, a popular defense attorney, joins the commission as months of tumult continue to rack the vital state agency. All commission members but Dyson resigned in April after an attorney for Chief Public Defender TaShun Bowden Lewis accused them of creating a pretext for discrimination by declining to act on her recommendations for promotions. Relations with new board members have been more contentious as members continue to stand their ground in support of frontline lawyers and agency administrators.

The commission meets today for what may be an extended executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Updates as events require.

Published December 5, 2023.

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