Imperial County Supervisors Appoint Daniel Rosenberg as New Public Defender

-Editorial

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors appointed Daniel Rosenberg as the county’s new public defender, succeeding Ben Salorio, who was elected to serve as a Superior Court judge and is expected to begin his judicial term soon.

Rosenberg, who previously served as assistant public defender, will assume leadership of the department, overseeing legal representation for individuals who cannot afford private attorneys in criminal proceedings, as well as certain juvenile, dependency, and mental health cases.

The appointment marks a leadership transition for the department following several years of efforts to address staffing shortages, recruit attorneys, and strengthen legal services for vulnerable populations throughout Imperial County.

During the board meeting, outgoing Public Defender Ben Salorio praised Rosenberg’s contributions to rebuilding the department and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the office.

“We had a severe staffing shortage a few years ago, and Daniel rolled up his sleeves as a new assistant and said, ‘Let’s get to work,’” Salorio said. “So he’s not afraid to work hard. He’s not afraid of a challenge.”

Salorio credited Rosenberg with helping establish recruitment initiatives that have attracted prospective attorneys and encouraged local college students pursuing legal careers to consider returning to Imperial County.

According to Salorio, the Public Defender’s Office is approaching full staffing for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, with additional attorneys interested in joining the department.

“We’ve got a kind of a waiting list of attorneys, you know, waiting to join us,” Salorio said. “We’ve got a pipeline of law students, a pipeline of college students from the valley that are going to law school that are promised to come back. A lot of that work was done by Daniel.”

Salorio said Rosenberg’s courtroom experience would provide a foundation for his new responsibilities, which will include managing the department’s budget, personnel, contracts and administrative operations.

He encouraged Rosenberg to seek guidance from fellow county department heads and officials as he transitions into the leadership position.

“The department’s in good hands,” Salorio said. “So in the next few years, we’re going to see a robust and really great public defender’s office.”

Salorio also emphasized the significance of Rosenberg’s appointment, noting that California has a relatively small number of chief public defenders compared with its population.

He said Rosenberg possesses the professional qualifications and personal character necessary to join that group of department leaders.

“Daniel’s going to be a perfect fit for that group of 32,” Salorio said, referring to the number of chief public defenders he identified statewide.

In his remarks, Rosenberg thanked the Board of Supervisors, county administration and his colleagues for their continued support of the department.

He said the county’s willingness to provide resources has been instrumental in allowing the office to carry out its responsibilities.

“It’s only been on two different occasions that I’ve stood in front of this board and asked for something, and on both of those occasions, the board stepped up and gave us the tools that we needed to succeed in what we do,” Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg highlighted the broad responsibilities of the Public Defender’s Office, explaining that its work extends beyond criminal defense to include representing children in foster care proceedings, individuals experiencing mental health crises and minors involved in the juvenile justice system.

“We represent people here in Imperial County who are in their lowest moments,” Rosenberg said. “We are representing people who are at their most vulnerable as well.”

He noted that the department represents children removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect, along with individuals facing other legal circumstances that require court-appointed representation.

Rosenberg also recognized the attorneys, investigators, and administrative employees who contribute to the department’s daily operations.

He described the attorneys as dedicated advocates who work on behalf of individuals facing difficult legal circumstances, while acknowledging the essential contributions of employees whose work often takes place outside the courtroom.

“We also have the support staff and a number of the investigators as well,” Rosenberg said. “The backup, the people behind the scenes that never get any recognition.”

Rosenberg thanked Salorio and former Public Defender Timothy Riley, whom he identified as mentors who helped prepare him for his professional responsibilities.

“Both of them have been my mentors,” Rosenberg said. “They’ve shown me the ropes. They’ve taught me exactly how to do this job.”

He also recognized members of the community who attended the meeting, describing their presence as meaningful to him and his family.

During the remarks, Rosenberg thanked his wife for her support throughout his legal career, noting that they met 24 years ago and have 10 children.

He credited her with guiding professional decisions and legal arguments throughout his years as an attorney.