Picente Appoints New Public DefenderView

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced the appointment of Andrew Dean as Oneida County Public Defender, effective immediately.

"Andrew Dean brings exceptional legal experience, strong leadership and a deep commitment to public service," Picente said. "His background in federal and state courts, private practice and county government makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Public Defender's Office and ensure high-quality criminal representation for the people of Oneida County."

Dean is a Mohawk Valley native and a graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College and Utica College. He earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from SUNY Buffalo Law School. Following law school, Dean spent several years clerking in both federal and state courts.

At the federal level, he served as an elbow clerk to the Honorable Thomas P. Griesa of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, where he worked on complex litigation involving the Republic of Argentina's sovereign debt restructuring. At the state level, he served two years as an Appellate Court Attorney for the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, assisting the Justices in resolving criminal, family law and civil appeals.

Dean also brings extensive private-sector experience, having worked as an attorney in the corporate restructuring department of Delaware's largest law firm, as well as serving several years as a commercial litigator and municipal law attorney in Rochester, New York.

In 2022, Dean returned to Oneida County with his family and joined the Oneida County Attorney's Office, where he provided legal counsel to multiple county departments and Mohawk Valley Community College. He was promoted to Deputy County Attorney-Administration in 2024.

He also currently serves as First Vice President of the Oneida County Bar Association.

"I am grateful to County Executive Picente for his trust and confidence, and I am eager to serve the people of Oneida County in doing this important work," Dean said.

Dean replaces former Public Defender Tina Hartwell, who served in the position since September 2022.