Julia graduated from the University of Dayton with a B.A. in Philosophy and holds a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law. Julia has been an attorney since 2008, and has practiced as a Public Defender for nine years. Before coming to our office, she was the Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at Legal Aid of Western Ohio. Julia’s professional affiliations include membership with the National Association for Public Defense, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Dayton Bar Association. In her free time, Julia enjoys Irish dancing and being involved in the community, where she sits on the board of directors for both The House of Bread and Rainbow Elder Care of Greater Dayton.

Kelli graduated from Wright State University with a B.A. in Political Science and holds a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law. She has practiced as an assistant public defender for over 20 years and served as the Deputy Director of Montgomery County Public Defender Office for 10 years.

She completed leadership training through the Black Defender Leadership Institute (BDLI) 2.0 and Culture Learning Partners (CLP) Executive Training Program. BDLI is a nine-month program with a focus on professional and personal development that teaches and supports the six core competencies of transformational leadership. The CLP Executive Training Program is a six-month individualized program with a focus on professional skills that are transferable to most executive positions within various fields.

In addition to her career as a Public Defender, Kelli taught for ten years as an adjunct instructor at Sinclair Community College, Central State University, and Union Institute and University. She taught courses on Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Business Law, and American Federal Government.

Her professional affiliations include membership with the National Association of Public Defense, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, the Black Public Defender Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Dayton Bar Association. Kelli is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Kelli proudly serves on the Advisory Board of Montgomery County Juvenile Court Specialty Docket – Family Treatment Court, Dayton Bar Association Grievance Committee, Dayton Bar Association Bar Exam & Qualifications Committee, and the Project One Hope Community Dinner Committee at St. Peter Catholic Church.

Kelli previously served on Ohio Supreme Court’s Task Force on Technology and the OSBA Indigent Defense Task Force, HB 150 Task Force on Ohio’s Indigent Defense System, the National Association of Public Defense Racial Justice Committee and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Associate Board.