The Law Operations Division (LOPS) provides administrative support to fulfill the statutory mandate in KRS Chapter 31 of high-quality representation of clients. LOPS addresses all matters involving human resources, information technology, and the Fiscal Branch of the Department of Public Advocacy.
Those duties include: providing caseload data and analysis; management of fiscal information; ensuring a professional work environment; issuing and maintaining technology; recruitment of high-quality staff; handling personnel actions; criminal justice issue analysis; grant application and management; managing payroll and health benefits; and providing library information services.
Terra Harper | Division Director
Terra Harper became the Law Operations Division Director in January of 2024. Terra graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Family Studies. She began her career with the Department of Public Advocacy in the Paducah Trial office in 2002, where she worked for 15 years before transferring to the Shelbyville Trial office and later to the Central Office in Frankfort. In her spare time, Terra enjoys spending time with her family on Kentucky Lake and all things summertime! She currently resides in Frankfort with her husband and their four daughters.
Brian Rogers | Deputy Division Director
Brian Rogers, Deputy Division Director, joined The Department of Public Advocacy in October 2013 and has responsibility for all budgeting, accounting, and business functions. Brian is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Sullivan University. He has held accounting/auditing positions with the Finance, Transportation, and Labor Cabinets during his career with the Commonwealth. Brian resides in Georgetown with his family.
Fiscal Branch
The DPA Fiscal Branch is primarily responsible for the administrative support of statewide Public Defender offices in the areas of Budgeting, Accounting, Real Property and Purchasing functions for the agency. Additionally, the Fiscal staff provides guidance and support for the archiving, procurement card, fleet programs, and travel reimbursements within the Department. For assistance, the Fiscal Branch can be reached through the helpdesk at DPA-Fiscal@helpdesk.corrections.ky.gov or by phone at (502) 782-3545.
| Fiscal Branch Manager
Coming Soon
Human Resources Branch
The DPA Human Resource Branch is responsible for all overseeing personnel, payroll, health/life benefits, employee evaluation process, workers compensation, FMLA/Sick Leave Sharing, assisting employees with EEO and ADA inquiries for the agency. For assistance, the Human Resource Branch can be reached at DPA.Human.Resources.Branch.All@ky.gov or by phone at 502-564-8006.
Kristie Stivers | HR Branch Manager
Kristie Stivers is the Department of Public Advocacy’s Human Resource Branch Manager. Kristie has been with Commonwealth since 2005 and has spent the majority of her career in Human Resources with the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Kristie Joined DPA in February of 2022. Kristie and the Human Resources team are responsible for Personnel actions, Payroll, State Health/Life Insurance Benefits, Workers Compensation, Americans with Disabilities, Equal Employment Opportunity, Family Medical Leave, New Employee Orientation and all other aspects of Human Resources for the Department of Public Advocacy. In her spare time Kristie enjoys spending time with her family. She currently resides in Lawrenceburg with her husband Brian and their two daughters Brooklyn and Madelyn.
Information Technology Branch
The DPA Information Technology Branch is primarily responsible for maintaining the JustWare Case Management System. The branch also acts as a liaison between DPA and COT, as well as other agencies and vendors, in order to facilitate DPA’s technology needs. The branch is also instrumental in providing support for meetings, trainings, conferences, and other events hosted by DPA. For assistance, the Information Technology Branch can be contacted at DPA.Information.Resources.Branch.All@ky.gov.
Scott Richard | IT Branch Manager
Scott Richard, Information Technology Branch Manager, originally worked for DPA as a Network Analyst from 2004 until 2007 providing support to DPA field offices east of Frankfort. He returned to DPA in early 2011 as the Information Systems Manager. Prior to joining DPA, Scott has worked in secure communications in the USAF, been a Systems Administrator and technology instructor for Honeywell’s engineering academy, and an independent technology contractor working with medical firms and hospitals in eastern Kentucky. Scott is a graduate of Morehead State University. Scott and his family currently reside in Frankfort.
Defender Services Branch
The Defender Services Branch is responsible for providing quality assurance in maintaining the accountability and efficacy of holistic programs within the agency, such as the Alternative Sentencing Worker Program (ASWP), and the Investigation Staff. The Branch assists the agency with recruiting, orientation, ongoing training and education, caseload management, and data entry/analysis for the programs it oversees. Additionally, the branch works closely with DPA Leadership and collaborates with other agencies in the criminal justice system.
Dawn Gasser | Justice Program Supervisor, ASW Program
Dawn M. Gasser is the Alternative Sentencing Program Supervisor; she began her employment with DPA in 2016 at the Cynthiana Trial office. Dawn holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and has over 30 years’ experience in the human services field. She has served as a Family Services Worker Clinician II for CHFS and as a Victim Advocate for both the 18th and 25th Judicial Districts. She also held the position of Commonwealth Detective for the 25th Circuit and wrote several VAWA and VOCA Grants during her employment with AOC. Dawn was a Caseworker and Supervisor for Family Preservation, Community Action Council. She led the KHIE initiative as an Outreach Coordinator and served as the Hospitalist Program Coordinator for Pattie A. Clay Hospital. Dawn has effectively served on the Recovery Ready Communities Advisory Board and has extensive training in substance use disorder. Dawn and her family reside in Richmond.
Holly Harrison-Hawkins | Justice Program Supervisor, Investigator Program
Holly Harrison-Hawkins started her career with DPA as an Investigator with DPA’s Post-Conviction Branch. While in that position, she was able to assist in various trainings across the state, including Basic and Advanced Criminal Defense Investigation Institutes. She regularly attends conferences and trainings across the U.S.
In 2023, Holly was promoted to DPA’s Investigative Services Program Supervisor. In this position, she hosts regional investigator and mitigation specialist meetups throughout the state. She ensures that employees have the training, resources, and support they need. Additionally, she continues to provide investigation services on a variety of cases.
Holly resides in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky with her children Vincent (10) and Clarice (12). In her free time, Holly participates in local community theatre, dabbles in painting, as well as anything outdoors, including fishing with her Dad.