No public defender, assistant public defender, appellate defender, or assistant appellate defender, acting within the scope of his or her employment or contract, nor any person or entity employing, supervising, assisting, or contracting for the services of a public defender, assistant public defender, appellate defender, or assistant appellate defender, is liable for any damages in tort, contract, or otherwise, in which the plaintiff seeks damages by reason of legal or professional malpractice, except for willful and wanton misconduct.
745 ILCS 19/5