Fourth Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk is promoting three attorneys this month. Assistant Public Defenders Michael Bateh, Harris Waldo and Stephanie Schaap are integrating into elevated roles; they all have new responsibilities but will maintain their core function of providing professional and competent representation to the clients.

“These are three fine attorneys, each well deserving of a promotion,” said Shirk. “Michael has become a real leader in this office and will serve the Felony Unit well as a Division Chief. Harris and Stephanie both make the jump from the County Court Unit to Felony. They have done a tremendous job handling misdemeanors and will easily transition into handling cases with more serious ramifications.”

Bateh is a Felony Unit Division Chief, effective Nov. 2, following eight months as a line attorney in Felony. He also served in the Public Defender’s office from 2000-2005 when he worked as both an Investigator and APD before leaving to join a local civil litigation firm and gain private practice experience. 

Hired in January to the County Court Unit, Waldo assumes a new role in as a Felony Unit attorney, also effective Nov. 2. 

Schaap began service to the Fourth Circuit in February as an attorney in County Court. Effective Nov. 2, she moves to the Felony Unit.