Grand Rapids, Mich. (September 4, 2024) — Kent County has hired Julia Kelly as the Public Defender for the newly established Office of the Public Defender. As the department director, Kelly will lead the office in providing legal representation to indigent adults facing criminal charges within the county. Kelly will begin her role on September 23, 2024.
“We are thrilled to welcome Julia to our team,” said Kent County Administrator/Controller Al Vanderberg. “Her extensive experience and deep commitment to serving indigent communities make her the perfect choice to lead our new Office of the Public Defender. We are confident that her leadership will establish a high-quality defense and advocacy department that will impact our community significantly.”
With more than 17 years of experience in criminal defense, Kelly began her legal career as a Deputy Public Defender in Orange County, California. Since 2018, Kelly has served as a criminal defense attorney at Willey & Chamberlain LLP in Grand Rapids.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be given this opportunity to serve as the Public Defender for Kent County,” said Julia Kelly. “I have devoted my career to criminal defense and am committed to ensuring that everyone receives zealous representation regardless of their financial situation. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated team at the County to build this new department of legal advocates and support staff who will uphold the rights of those in our community who need it most.”
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. She is a proud member of several professional organizations, including the Michigan State Bar, the State Bar of California, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, the Federal Bar Association of West Michigan, and the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Kelly has also served on the ACLU Lawyers Committee of West Michigan for the past 11 years and served as a volunteer defense attorney for the Kent County Veteran’s Treatment Court.
In addition to her professional roles, Kelly is active in community service. She volunteers with various initiatives, including the Mayfly Project, which uses fly fishing to mentor children in foster care, the Rainbow Soccer League, Habitat for Humanity, and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.
Kent County initiated a nationwide search to fill this critical new position on July 18, 2024. A diverse selection committee of county staff, county commissioners, and community stakeholders interviewed candidates. The application review process was blinded to ensure fairness and impartiality, removing all identifying information such as names, addresses, and demographic details.
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About the Kent County Office of the Public Defender
The Kent County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to indigent adults facing criminal charges. This office was established following recommendations from a comprehensive National Association for Public Defense assessment. The report identified areas for improvement in the administration of indigent defense services, leading to the decision to transition from an outside organization to a county-operated Office of the Public Defender. The Kent County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of this office in July 2024.
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