Karen D. Gwynn, Esq, received a dual B.A. degree in Psychology and Law Enforcement from the University of Maryland in 1986 and a J.D. degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1990. After graduating from Law School, she clerked for the Honorable Betty J. Lester, Superior Court Judge, Newark, New Jersey 1990-1991. She began her career as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office on May 3, 1993. During her time at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office she has worked in various sections in the office such as the Grand Jury, Screening, Drug Court, Trial Unit, Domestic Violence, Megan’s Law, Sex Crimes, Cyber Crimes, and presently she is assigned to the Juvenile Unit. She was instrumental in developing the Drug Court Program in Bergen County. She has participated in numerous community service events and programs on behalf of the Prosecutor’s office Community Affairs Task Force, Including, developing and organizing programs involving Youth and their Interaction with Law Enforcement and Meals on Wheels. Ms. Gwynn is a member of the National Black Prosecutor’s Association where she served as Vice President of Programs for seven years. Ms. Gwynn is the newly elected President of the Black Prosecutors Association of New Jersey 2020-2021, which is a local chapter of the National Black Prosecutors Association. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Bergen County Alumnae Chapter were she participates on the Social Action, Nomination and Social Planning Committees. As part of these committees she has participated in their Domestic Violence Program, Pipeline: from the Classroom to the Court room program, Human Trafficking and Interacting with Law Enforcement program. Ms. Gwynn is a member of the Garden State Bar Association, the Association of Black Women Lawyers, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Bergen County Bar Association (co-chair of the juvenile practice committee), the Black Lawyers Alliance Association, the Association of Black Women Lawyers, and the Honorable Marie White Bell, American Inn of Court.

Stephen Hunter was promoted to Recovery Court (formerly Drug Court) Director for the Office of the Public Defender in September 2019. In that capacity, Mr. Hunter has supervisory authority over the Recovery Court program on a statewide basis, litigates important Recovery Court appeals, provides support and guidance to our Recovery Court attorneys at the trial level, and participates in policy-making and lobbying efforts. In September 2021, Mr. Hunter was given supervisory authority over the Office of the Public Defender’s ISP Unit. Prior to his promotion, Mr. Hunter served as staff attorney with the Appellate Section of the Office of Public Defender. He specialized in Recovery Court appeals, successfully representing defendants in several major decisions by the New Jersey Supreme Court, including In re Expungement of the Arrest/Charge Records of T.B., 236 N.J. 262 (2019), State v. Clarke, 203 N.J. 166 (2010), and State v. Meyer, 192 N.J. 421 (2007). Mr. Hunter is a member of the Administrative Office of the Court’s Recovery Court Advisory Committee. Mr. Hunter co-authored New Jersey’s Drug Courts: A Fundamental Shift From The War On Drugs To A Public Health Approach For Drug Addiction And Drug-Related Crime, 64 Rutgers L. Rev. 795 (2012).