December, 2016 — Humboldt County Public Defender Kevin Robinson retires.

Feb. 8, 2017 — The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors announces the hire of David Marcus as Humboldt's next public defender.

Feb. 14, 2017 — Several members of the local defense bar address the Board of Supervisors, urging it to scrap Marcus' hire and begin the process anew.

Feb. 28, 2017 — Local attorney Patrik Griego sends a letter to the supervisors asking them to prove Marcus meets minimum state qualifications to be a public defender, threatening that he will file a lawsuit if they fail to do so.

March 7, 2017 — The Board of Supervisors meets in closed session to discuss Marcus, issues a statement supporting him.

March 10, 2017 — Griego files the lawsuit alleging the county violated state law in hiring Marcus because the public defender is statutorily unqualified.

March 24, 2017 — All nine deputy public defenders send a letter to the supervisors alleging Marcus is incompetent and unqualified.

April 10, 2017 — Eight non-attorney staff members send the supervisors a letter alleging that Marcus is unqualified, lacks the legal knowledge required for the position and has "crippled" the office.

April 12, 2017 — After learning of the employees' letter, Marcus allegedly verbally assaults an employee, prompting her to report the incident to police, who document the incident but don't see any reason to believe Marcus committed any crime.

May 15, 2017 — The county of Humboldt files a motion to dismiss Griego's lawsuit, calling it "frivolous and baseless," and a "purely political dispute."

June 16, 2017 — Griego responds, saying the suit is in the public interest and the board is not "above the law."

June 29, 2017 — Visiting Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Marjorie Carter dismisses the case but gives Griego 30 days to file an emended petition, recognizing that Marcus' July 3 deposition would likely help inform the lawsuit by clarifying Marcus work history.

July 3, 2017 — Marcus is deposed under oath.

July 21, 2017 — Griego refiles the suit, now alleging that Marcus' claim that he worked remotely as a contract attorney for a Walnut Creek law firm for the year preceding his hire in Humboldt County is false.