Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced June 28 the selection of Charleston attorney Dana Eddy as executive director of the West Virginia Public Defender Services, effective July 1, 2013.
An experienced attorney and author, Eddy has had his own legal practice since 2007 and worked previously for other law firms and as legal counsel for various businesses. Additionally, he served as general counsel for former Gov. Gaston Caperton from 1993-1996.
As executive director of the Public Defender Services, Eddy’s responsibilities will include overseeing the funding of all indigent defenses for the state of West Virginia. The Public Defender Services coordinates the payment of representation through Public Defender Corporations and through private attorneys appointed on an individual case basis.
“We are fortunate to have Dana Eddy join West Virginia state government in leading the Public Defender Services,” said Governor Tomblin. “He brings not only an in-depth knowledge and legal background, but also a wealth of experience that will benefit the operational goals of this agency.”
Eddy graduated summa cum laude from Salem College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Harvard Law School. Eddy has been a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel from which appointments are made to represent indigent defendants in the federal court system. In addition to his education and professional career, Eddy has been actively involved with the United States Tennis Association and currently serves as President of the Ohio Valley Tennis Association.