Phyllis Aluko, a longtime member of the Shelby County Public Defender's Office, announced she will retire at the end of January 2026 after a career spanning more than three decades defending those unable to afford private legal counsel. Appointed Chief Public Defender in March 2019 by Mayor Lee Harris, she has been a key figure in promoting justice within the county's legal system, according to the Shelby County.
Aluko began her career as a volunteer law clerk and rose through the ranks to lead one of the oldest urban public defender offices in the country. Under her leadership, the office handles over 22,000 cases annually, providing vital legal support to the community, as reported by the Shelby County.
Phyllis Aluko said, "It has been an honor to defend the rights of indigent people who have been accused of committing a criminal offense during the past 32 years," and added, "My goal has always been to represent my clients zealously, ethically, in a client-centered manner." Mayor Lee Harris said, “She has served in nearly every capacity an officer of the court can,” and that residents "are better because of Chief Aluko’s steadfast work," as mentioned by the Shelby County.
