Triangle-area public defender takes office July 1

A veteran criminal defense attorney has been appointed as the inaugural public defender of a Triangle-area county.

A. Traynham Dorn‘s appointment in Johnston County was announced in a release from the North Carolina Judicial Branch. She was appointed by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock.

Dorn brings to the position more than 20 years criminal defense experience in District and Superior courts in private practice. She also takes a community-focused approach through working with indigent clients and serving as a Guardian ad Litem.

“I am excited to appoint Traynham Dorn as Public Defender for Johnston County,” Lock said in the release. “She has tried cases in both the Superior and District courts of our county for a number of years, and she has proven herself to be a zealous advocate for her clients.  She is highly respected by the Bar and court personnel, and I am confident she will excel in her new position.”

Dorn holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queens College in Charlotte, and a Juris Doctor from New England School of Law in Boston.

Her appointment takes effect July 1, the release says.

Under state law, the senior resident Superior Court judge appoints the chief public defender for each defender district. Dorn will serve Defender District 13,.

Cases handled by public defenders can range from criminal charges to civil commitment to juvenile proceedings to loss of parental rights.