Conflict defender: panel nearing 50 attorneys as custody and visitation drive demand

Peter Degnan, Allegany County’s conflict defender, told the Public Safety Committee on May 7 that the county’s appointed attorney panel is expanding and that family‑court custody and visitation matters create a steady demand for appointed counsel.

“We’re really almost to 50 attorneys on the panel,” Degnan said, summarizing recent panel growth. He told the committee the office had handled roughly the same caseload as the previous month and planned to add “advice files” in future reports.

Degnan explained that custody and visitation petitions are filed when someone asks family court to change which parent a child lives with or to modify a visitation schedule. He said family court produces a high volume of cases that generate conflicts requiring appointed counsel.

Committee Chairman Steve Havey said he had reviewed Degnan’s report and asked about custody and visitation counts; Degnan confirmed those were the types of filings creating the greatest need for attorneys. Degnan also described lines of county representation: Department of Social Services legal counsel and his office handle neglect and abuse matters and county representation in child‑support actions.

The committee did not take formal action on the report; members asked clarifying questions and accepted the update.

Degnan said the panel’s growth and the mix of family‑court work explain why the county needs a substantial pool of appointed attorneys.