About Julia

Julia Kelly currently serves as the Chief Public Defender at the Kent County Office of the Public Defender.  She has over 19 years’ experience as a criminal defense attorney representing both adults and children in criminal matters.  She earned her Juris Doctor degree from MSU Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan.  She lives in Grand Rapids (3rd ward) with her husband Tim and their son. 

Julia has known JD and Antoinette for almost a decade and is proud to serve alongside them on the board of RIL.  She is passionate about serving the community both with her work at RIL, the ACLU lawyers’ committee, and the Mayfly Project. You’ll probably also find her on the sideline cheering on her son at his soccer and hockey games.

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