William A. Knight files to unseat Julianne Holt. He says he aims to reduce staff turnover.
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Published May 19, 2004
TAMPA - A criminal defense attorney who previously worked at the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office has filed to run against the agency's current head, Julianne Holt.
William A. Knight, 36, whose private practice is on Franklin Street, was an assistant public defender for more than four years after obtaining a law degree from Stetson University in December 1993.
In 1999 he opened his own full-time practice with a partner, he said, and in July 2000 he started practicing on his own.
Knight said he believes in the work of the Public Defender's Office and wants to reduce staff turnover.
"For people who really love that job, they are the people of a different breed of lawyer and they know they love it and are good at it," he said. "I would like to get those lawyers back at the office and keep the lawyers and the support staff" currently there.
Holt could not be reached for comment.
The office, often serving the "underdog," needs talented attorneys to make sure the "system maintains balance," Knight said.
"There are things that can happen to people who are not just indigent, things that can happen to middle-class people," he said. "It can be very expensive to retain private counsel."
His wife, Kathleen Knight, is a lawyer for James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, P.A.
No other candidates as of yet are running against Holt. Chris DeBock, a former assistant public defender, earlier this year announced his candidacy to unseat Holt. But he has dropped out of that race and has filed to challenge County Judge Art McNeil.
