Department Announces Transition in Office of Public Defender

• Belinda Adams
• June 07 2022

HELENA, Mont. – Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles today announced that Rhonda Lindquist will retire as director of the Office of Public Defender (OPD). Brett Schandelson, chief of OPD Development and Operations Bureau, will succeed Lindquist as acting director until a permanent director is hired. 

“Rhonda has dedicated her life to public service, and I appreciate all she has done to modernize OPD, resolve challenges the office has faced, and ensure all Montanans’ constitutional right to counsel is protected,” Director Giles said. “As the state recruits and hires a new OPD director, Brett will oversee the office’s operations.”

Lindquist’s retirement, effective June 30, comes after nearly three decades in state government, including service with OPD, the Department of Corrections, and the Governor’s Office.

As director, Lindquist led the transition from a commission-led agency to a director-led agency, prioritized a transparent and collaborative relationship with the legislature, and overhauled OPD’s data and reporting structure. Earlier this year, Lindquist secured resources to resolve OPD’s case backlog and staffing shortage by making public defender compensation more in line with similar attorneys and raising the contract attorney rate to be more competitive. 

“OPD represents individuals most in need of help and provides critically needed accountability to the justice system. I’m humbled to have been a part of this amazing agency, and I will miss it,” Lindquist said. “But after a long career in public service, it’s time for me to step back, and I know the agency is in great hands moving forward.”

Schandelson will begin serving acting director on July 1. As chief of OPD Development and Operations Bureau, Schandelson manages OPD’s data, reporting, IT services, contracts, public policy, media relations, and special projects.

Originally from Great Falls, Schandelson attended Montana State University before graduating from the University of Montana School of Law in 2008. After a decade-long litigation career, primarily focused on criminal defense in state courts, Schandelson joined OPD in 2018.

“OPD is in a great spot, with a solid structure and foundation,” said Schandelson. “We’ve got more work to do, but we’ve got a plan, a great team, and the most compassionate, hardest-working employees and contractors in the state.”

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