Local attorney Craig Fickling has announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for the office of Public Defender in this spring’s May 6 primary.“If elected, I’ll put to work my years of courtroom experience defending the constitutional rights of every citizen,” said Fickling, who is a former president of the Upper Cumberland Trial Lawyers Association and Putnam County Bar Association. He has also served as VP of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & The Upper Cumberland.“The role of the Public Defender is to be the legal advocate for all citizens – regardless of their economic or social standing in our community,” said Fickling. “I moved to the Upper Cumberland 20 years ago to practice law and devote my time and energy toward serving those who are less fortunate.”A member of the Tennessee Bar Association, he serves as a Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney for the US District Court Middle District of Tennessee.Fickling is married to Melaney Madewell Fickling, an attorney who practices law with him at Fickling & Madewell in Cookeville.