Allegheny County chief public defender placed on administrative leave

Paula Reed Ward | Wednesday, April 9, 2025 9:59 a.m.

Massoud Hossaini | Tribune-Review

Lena Henderson poses for a portrait at Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

Allegheny County Chief Public Defender Lena Bryan-Henderson is on paid administrative leave pending an ongoing human resources investigation.

“The county prioritizes dignity and respect for all our employees, and we will not comment on personnel matters,” said county spokeswoman Abigail Gardner.

Bryan-Henderson, who was appointed in January 2024, had no comment on Wednesday morning and referred calls to her attorney, Joe Pass.

Pass said there is a meeting scheduled for Thursday between Bryan-Henderson and county officials over the investigation.

“We are totally unaware of what’s going on,” he told TribLive. “How do you prepare for a meeting when you don’t know what it’s about?”

During a phone call earlier this week, Bryan-Henderson asked county officials what the administrative action centered on, according to Pass. Officials did not give her an answer, he said.

Bryan-Henderson began working in the public defender’s office in 1991. During her time as an assistant public defender, she also operated a private criminal practice.

During her tenure as chief public defender, Henderson hired a manager for social work and a community liaison, as well as expanded representation for defendants at arraignment.