William Ballard resigns as county public defender

William Ballard, attorney at law, has resigned his position as public defender of Union County after 12 years of service in that position.

Ballard said in a news release that he has appreciated the opportunity to serve the courts and the people of Union County, “but that the pressure of a growing private business requires him to step down from the public defender’s position.”

“I’ve enjoyed my twelve years of public service and wish the court and the personnel the very best,” he said.

Ballard will be replaced by Jason Kleindorfer, who was appointed as of Nov. 1 to the position.

Kleindorfer will serve along with Patrick Duffy as the public defenders of Union County.

William Ballard and Associates in Anna also announced that Kleindorfer has joined the firm as an associate.

Kleindorfer originally is from the Metro East St. Louis area.

He studied sociology and psychology at Illinois College in Jacksonville, where he also played varsity football.

During his career at Illinois College, Kleindorfer was a three-time Midwest Conference Academic All-Conference member, president of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and an inductee into the Sociological Honors Society.

After graduating, he attended the Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale. Kleindorfer focused his course load on criminal law and civil litigation.

During that time, he also served as an extern with the Union County public defender’s office and as a law clerk for William Ballard and Associates.