Ms. Degnan's tenure at the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County (LASW) began 35 years ago. She worked her way up from Associate Counsel to her current position as Executive Director, making her the first female Executive Director in LASW's history.

Since taking on this role in 2015, Ms. Degnan has focused on securing funding and implementing programs to enhance the quality of public defense. One significant achievement was winning the AWS Imagine Grant, which has been instrumental in improving LASW's technology. She has overseen the transition to a digital office, upgraded technology, and embraced new initiatives to help LASW protect the rights of its clients. Ms. Degnan has a clear vision for leveraging technology to elevate public defense services and keep pace with emerging technologies.

Under her leadership, LASW has received additional grants from the Offices of Indigent Legal Services to fund and develop the Regional Immigration Assistance Center and the Assigned Counsel Resource Center. She has also worked to increase the number of LASW attorneys and staff.  Ms. Degnan championed the Westchester County  Counsel at First Appearance program to provide counsel regardless of time of day or night at every criminal arraignment.  Ms. Degnan sought funding for LASW’s initiatives to provide Family Court representation for current LASW clients.

In June 2024, LASW opened a state-of-the-art training center, featuring a courtroom equipped with the same technology found in federal courthouses. The LASW Training Center has hosted over 50 trainings, community outreach events, and seminars. It has also been utilized by the Westchester Human Rights Commission for hearings and mediation when needed. In the coming years, Ms. Degnan plans to expand the Training Center's offerings to better serve the communities LASW supports. In July 2023, Ms. Degnan was appointed President of the Chief Defenders' Association of New York (CDANY) for a one-year term. She continues to be actively involved with CDANY, serving on the Board and chairing the Technology Committee. Additionally, she is a leader in the New York State Bar Association, where she is a member of the Criminal Justice Section, Family Court Section, and the Legislative Sub-committee of the Committee on Mandatory Representation.

The Representation Committee awarded Ms. Degnan the 2019 Excellence in Mandated Representation Award from the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA).

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