First Assistant Public Defender Joan Richardson Bowser serves as the first assistant to the Public Defender and as Director of Planning and Legislative Affairs for the statewide New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. Prior to her appointment as First Assistant, Ms. Richardson served with NJOPD in the Essex Adult Region, having distinguished herself as a high-caliber trial attorney.

Mrs. Bowser began her legal career in 1988 in Tampa, Florida, as a law clerk for the City Attorney. In 1989, she began working for the Prosecutor's Office in Tampa, and ultimately ascended to the position of Division Chief. She joined the NJOPD in July 1991. She is a graduate of Northeastern University and Boston College Law School.