VENTURA COUNTY NEWS : Windom Takes Job in Riverside : Law: Ventura County’s senior deputy public defender passes up chance at judgeship to accept challenge of cleaning up troubled office.

Ventura County Senior Deputy Public Defender Gary Windom is hanging up his judicial aspirations--at least for now--to become Riverside County’s chief public defender.

In doing so, the 49-year-old Windom becomes the second black chief public defender in California, preceded only by David Coleman, who became public defender of Contra Costa County earlier this year.

Windom’s new job, which he is scheduled to begin Sept. 22, comes at a crucial time for the Riverside office. It has lost its last several public defenders for a variety of reasons, including internal pressure and political strain. The office is also known for its low morale and reportedly is at risk of being dismantled in favor of a full-time contractual system with private attorneys.

Windom, who lives in Camarillo, said he has bittersweet feelings about leaving Ventura County. “I was born and raised here and work in a real good public defender’s office,” he said. “But it was a good opportunity, and I look forward to the challenge.

“There has been some trouble, and I know I’m going in under that cloud, but we have some good lawyers there and the foundation to make the Riverside office the best criminal defense firm in Riverside.”

Windom will oversee 85 lawyers and a total staff of 150--nearly twice the size of Ventura’s office--and will earn an annual salary of $130,000.

Windom’s current boss, Ventura Public Defender Kenneth Clayman, said Thursday that if anyone can straighten up Riverside’s office, he believes Windom can.

“They’ve had a tumultuous history, but I think they see he’s a person who can right the ship,” he said.

Attorneys at the Riverside office could not be reached Thursday afternoon for comment, but several reportedly have said they admire Windom’s ability and attitude and believe he can restore the office’s morale.

A public defender for the past 14 years, Windom also has taught college law courses and spent a decade as a civil attorney. He helped found a mentoring program for teens in Oxnard, where he was raised, and he is due to become the next president of the California Public Defenders Assn.

Twice a failed candidate for a county judgeship, Windom was viewed as a strong candidate for appointment to the bench once Democratic Gov. Gray Davis took office this year. But Windom said Thursday that he probably would withdraw his application for any judicial vacancy.

While he still would like to be a judge one day, Windom said, he has made a commitment to the Riverside job. “This job will require at least five years before we make a turnaround . . . that would meet my goals,” he said.