In the continuing series of Civics Lessons demystifying the workings of government departments and officials, Lower Keys League of Women Voters on Thursday, Jan. 22 turns the spotlight on the Office of the Public Defender of Monroe County. Chief Assistant Public Defender Patricia Dockerty-Gibson is guest speaker at the 7 p.m. meeting at One Island Family, the Southernmost UU Congregation, at the corner of Georgia and Petronia streets.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Dockerty-Gibson, known familiarly and in the press as Trish, has been employed with the Public Defender’s Office for 20 years and Public Defender Rosemary Enright, who turned down the invitation to speak due to a conflict, recommended her highly. “She tries all the toughest cases,” said Enright.

“I’ve represented clients who were charged with homicide and facing the death penalty and those charged with sexual offenses as well as clients charged in drug offenses,” the chief assistant said. “I believe that everyone who is cherged with a criminal offense deserves a zealous defense and an attorney who will fight for their legal rights.”

Dockerty-Gibson received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Pennsylvania State University and her her Juris Doctorate from Widener University but, she noted, did her third year of law school at University of Miami. She is currently a member of the Florida State Death Penalty Steering Committee and the Monroe County Juvenile Justice Advisory Board.

She was an adjunct professor of law at St Leo University from 1999-2014.

Socially and professionally, she is a member of Rotary, Business Professional Women of Marathon and Upper Keys and Beta Omega, has a wonderful seven year old daughter and is married to Barry Gibson. In her spare time she enjoys boating and is an avid animal lover.

Refreshments will be served and anyone – woman or man – who wishes to join LWV and the Lower Keys chapter may do so at the Civics Lesson. For additional information, please contact Linda Grist Cunningham, event chair and chapter vice president at (305) 849-6688.