Our Team

Heather Rogers

Heather Rogers has been a public defender for over 18 years in the state and federal courts. Heather has handled cases at every stage of litigation, from arraignment through trial and appeal. She has represented clients accused of offenses from delinquency to homicide, defended detainees incarcerated at Guantánamo Naval Base in Guantanamo, Cuba, and argued cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Heather is honored to serve as the first Public Defender of Santa Cruz County, her birthplace and home. Before her appointment, Heather served as a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Heather is a faculty member of the National Criminal Defense College, lecturer in Legal Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and frequent trainer at regional and national trial skills programs. Heather has also taught at California Western School of Law and Monterey College of Law. Heather serves on the Board of Directors of the Housing for Health Partnership Policy Board, Community Corrections Partnership, Criminal Justice Council, Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Santa Cruz County Trial Lawyers Association, and Santa Cruz County Defense Bar. Heather clerked for the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals before starting her career in public defense at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. Heather also served as a public defender in Monterey County and at the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California before coming home to Santa Cruz. Heather has an A.B. in English Language & Literature from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. She lives in the Aptos mountains with her husband, children, and numerous pets. In her free time, Heather enjoys traveling, hiking, and snowboarding.

Jonathan Cruz

Jonathan Cruz is an experienced litigator who has spent the last 15 years as a trial lawyer, trainer, and post-conviction relief specialist at the Los Angeles County Public Defender. Jonathan is a skilled storyteller with a history of success in the unconventional in trial work, legal writing, and advocacy. Before joining the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender as Chief Deputy Public Defender, Jonathan was the Deputy-In-Charge of the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Post-Conviction Unit where he trained and supervised a growing team of lawyers, paralegals, and socials workers in using holistic advocacy to win reentry. In prior assignments, he developed training on juvenile competency and jury selection. Jonathan is recognized throughout the state as a resource on post-conviction relief and has trained capital attorneys at the CAJC/CPDA Death Penalty Seminar on investigating and presenting evidence in murder resentencing hearings.

Outside the courtroom, Jonathan is active in efforts to eliminate bias and promote diversity, serving as a member of the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Racial Justice Committee and the Diversity, Unity and Equity Advisory Committee to the ABC Unified School District. He is also a long-standing member of the Philippine American Bar Association’s Board of Directors. Jonathan graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara where he majored in Sociology and minored in Music. Jonathan is conversational in Spanish and Tagalog. Jonathan enjoys snowboarding, live jazz, and getting outside with his wife and children, ages 11 and 6. He is looking forward to relocating to Santa Cruz and working to build a model defense agency for Santa Cruz County.

Mandy Tovar

Mandy Tovar is an experienced public defender who has defended clients accused of all manner of offenses, from misdemeanors to homicides. She began practicing as a public defender at the Fresno Public Defender’s Office. In 2005 Mandy moved to Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services in Santa Cruz County. Mandy has served Santa Cruz County as a public defender for over 17 years. Mandy leads a division that coordinates training for defense teams, embeds equity in operations and services, leads Racial Justice Act litigation, oversees recruitment, and develops opportunities to better serve clients through grants, partnerships, and innovative programs. In her free time, Mandy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, and yoga. Mandy speaks Spanish.

Caitlin Becker

Caitlin Becker (she/her) directs the Holistic Defense Division, where she develops, coordinates, and oversees holistic defense for the agency, including working with social workers, client advocates, attorneys, investigators, administrative professionals, and outside experts to provide clients with interdisciplinary services designed to meet clients’ legal and personal goals. Caitlin has been a holistic defense social worker for more than a decade, representing people charged in the criminal legal, family, immigration, and civil systems in New York and California. Prior to joining the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender, Caitlin was the Managing Director of Social Work at The Bronx Defenders, where she directed a team of more than 50 social workers and advocates representing people on interdisciplinary defense teams. She is a member of the National Association of Public Defense's (NAPD) Well Being Summit and co-chairs the National Alliance for Parent Representation's Committee on Interdisciplinary Representation. Caitlin earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service in 2010. Her work with Abraham House, a community-based Alternative to Incarceration Program and Covenant House, a shelter for unhoused teens and young adults in New York City, fueled her interest in working with individuals and families affected by both the criminal legal and family systems. Prior to joining The Bronx Defenders, Caitlin worked with undergraduates at Fordham University's Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice, where she connected students with volunteer opportunities at community-based organizations in the Bronx and collaborated with her colleagues and students to advance the social justice mission of the university. She served as a Jesuit volunteer and worked with unhoused youth in San Diego, California, following her graduation from Boston College in 2005 with a degree in English and Communication Studies.

Sergeio Zamudio

Sergio is our Chief Public Defender Investigator.  Sergio joined our office with an extensive experience in Criminal Defense Investigations ranging from misdemeanors to special circumstance cases.  Sergio served as a Public Defender Investigator at the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office for 22 years.  Where he was assigned as an interim Chief, leading a team of junior and senior investigators.  Sergio also worked for a private law firm specializing in Criminal Defense for three years prior to working for Monterey County.  Sergio has been actively assisting attorneys in case development and preparation in all phases of trial preparation, mitigation, and post-conviction.  He has been involved in the training attorneys and investigators during his career.

Sergio is bilingual in English and Spanish.  Sergio is committed to the zealous, holistic representation of our clients.

Dylan Jones

Dylan is our Administrative Services Manager adept at project, operations, administrative and procurement management dedicated to team, technology, and holistic defense. Prior to joining the Office of the Public Defender Dylan spent years serving in different interim executive level leadership positions throughout the Country. Locally Dylan served as the Directory of Technology with the Central California Alliance for Health. He also spent several years teaching Taekwondo to youth from Watsonville, Aptos, and Santa Cruz. Dylan oversees Technology, Legal Support, Personnel, Budget, Facilities, Grants, and Procurement.

Diana August

Diana August has been a public defender in Santa Cruz County since 1987, where she began her career at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Diana has handled all manner of cases, from misdemeanors to the most complex homicides. Diana currently leads a unit that defends clients accused of misdemeanors.

Michelle Lipperd

Michelle Lipperd is a public defender with extensive experience defending clients accused of delinquency and criminal offenses ranging from misdemeanors to homicide. Michelle was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Michelle currently leads a unit that helps clients understand the true consequences of criminal convictions, including impacts on immigration and licensing, clears obstacles to success through record clearance, and offers reentry support, including post-conviction relief and supportive services. Michelle serves on the Board of Directors of the Santa Cruz County Criminal Defense Bar.

Jim McMillin

Jim McMillin is a public defender with extensive experience defending clients accused of all manner of crimes. Jim was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Jim currently leads a unit that defends clients accused of felonies and capital offenses. Jim graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Jim graduated with a Juris Doctor degree, Magna cum Laude, from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1984. Jim has been practicing criminal defense in Santa Cruz County since 1986. Jim has extensive trial experience at every level. Jim has represented juveniles in serious felony cases where the state has attempted to try them as adults. Jim has also represented mentally ill clients whom the state has attempted to involuntarily commit to hospitalization and forced psychiatric treatment.

Athena Reis

Athena Reis has been zealously advocating for the indigent accused as a public defender since 2010. She joined the Santa Cruz County criminal defense community in 2012 and, since that time, she has represented adults and juveniles charged with every type of criminal offense, ranging from misdemeanors to murder. Athena was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Athena currently leads a unit that represents juveniles accused of delinquency and clients in the specialty and collaborative courts. Athena is a Commissioner on the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission and a Board member of the Santa Cruz County Criminal Defense Bar. In her free time, Athena enjoys yoga, reading, and hanging out with her family.

Jerry Agustin

Jerry is a California native and has roots in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Jose and Fresno. He graduated from UC San Diego and has a Law degree from UC Hastings. He enjoys working with the military, Latino, and immigrant communities. He speaks Spanish and enjoys hanging out with his cat on his free time.

Ajla Azevedo-Husic

Ajla Azevedo-Husic is an experienced immigration attorney and has practiced immigration law in private practice for 7 years before joining our office. During her last year of law school, Ajla was a Judicial Intern at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), in the Hague, Netherlands. Ajla advises our clients and attorneys on the immigration consequences of system involvement and represents our clients in post-conviction relief matters. In her free time, Ajla enjoys listening to Bosnian “narodna” music, traveling, and painting.

Michael Ariavand

Michael Ariavand is a first-generation attorney from Los Angeles, California. He began his criminal defense career as a public defender in Santa Cruz County. Michael went to University of California, Los Angeles, for his undergraduate degree and then graduated from Loyola Law School. During his time at Loyola Law School, Michael interned for Loyola’s Project for the Innocent where he found his passion for criminal defense. Michael is currently an attorney on a misdemeanor defense team, where he represents clients that struggle with mental health, addiction and are charged with low-level crimes. Michael is a member of the Santa Cruz County Bar Association and the Santa Cruz County Defense Bar. Michael is fluent in Spanish and enjoys traveling in his free time.

Charles Balara

Charles Balara is devoted to protecting those who are often taken advantage of by the criminal legal system. He has experienced, first-hand, the inequities and the systemic failures that continue to burden indigent communities. These personal experiences are what drove him to pursue a career in public defense. During law school, Charles clerked at the San Francisco County and Alameda County Public Defender. In his free time, he enjoys mixed media painting, sketching, and learning the art of bonsai.

Rory Bartle

Rory Bartle is an experienced public defender who has defended clients accused of all manner of offenses, from misdemeanors to homicides. Rory was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Rory is currently a lead attorney in the Juvenile Justice & Specialty Court Unit, representing juveniles accused of delinquency, and clients facing involuntary commitment for mental illness or civil contempt. Rory also represents clients in Partnership for Accountability, Connection and Treatment (P.A.C.T.) Court and Veteran Court. Rory speaks Spanish.

Mark Briscoe

Mark Briscoe has worked as a public defender for 15 years in Santa Cruz and for another 2 years in San Francisco. Mark was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Mark has handled all manner of criminal cases from DUIs to homicides. Mark has worked on state commissions focusing on domestic violence and mental health. Mark is currently the Behavioral Health Lead for our office, and a felony attorney with an emphasis on major crimes. Mark also represents clients in Lanterman-Petris Short (LPS) proceedings and Behavioral Health Court (BHC). Mark is the collaborative courts contact for the criminal defense bar.

Austyn Caisse

Austyn Caisse is a first-generation attorney proud to be protecting the rights of the accused in her hometown of Santa Cruz. Austyn's legal endeavors began when she went to Soquel High School and competed as a defense attorney on the school’s Mock Trial team. She went to San Francisco State University for undergrad where she earned her degree in History with an emphasis on the Middle East, and then went on to graduate from the University of Kansas School of Law. Austyn spent most of her time in law school competing in the National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court competitions, where she was humbled and honored to be able to help bring awareness to indigenous legal issues from around the country. She has worked with and volunteered at refugee centers, legal aid clinics, medical-legal organizations, where her zeal and passion for helping others fight for their rights led her to proudly becoming a criminal defense attorney. Austyn has lived in San Francisco, France, Chicago, and Kansas City, and has traveled extensively both domestically and internationally. In her spare time, Austyn enjoys running, being at the beach, and learning to play the banjo.

Jordan Davis

Jordan Davis is committed to defending the vulnerable in our community from state violence with compassion and dedication. After an eye-opening internship with the Washoe County Public Defender’s Office, he went to law school with the intention of becoming a public defender. After graduating, he volunteered at the Monterey County Public Defender’s office where he learned to stand up for his clients in the face of government power telling him to sit down. Since then, he has been working full time to protect the rights and the lives of our community members as a misdemeanor and felony defense attorney. Jordan was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Jordan is currently an attorney on a felony defense team. When not at work, Jordan enjoys getting out from behind his desk and into nature, making anti-authoritarian art, and building community with those he cares for.

Ted Fairbanks

Ted Fairbanks is a public defender who has defended clients accused of all manner of offenses and written numerous briefs, writs and motions in cases ranging from DUIs to homicides. Ted was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Ted is currently the lead Law & Motions attorney, litigating novel issues, supporting defense teams with written advocacy, supervising a paralegal and law clerks, and training defense teams.

Sureyma Gonzales Rios

Sureyma Gonzales Rios is a first-generation attorney hailing from Oakland, California. She began her career as a public defender in Santa Cruz County in 2021. Sureyma was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. She is currently a lead attorney in a misdemeanor department where she represents clients that struggle with mental health, addiction, and are charged with low-level crimes, and supports a misdemeanor team. Sureyma went to University of California Berkeley for her undergraduate degree and then interned for the Public Defender Service in D.C. where she found her passion in public defense. She went to law school at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she got the opportunity to clerk in tenant’s housing rights and immigration defense. Sureyma is fluent in Spanish and is learning how to surf.

Shahla Khan

Shahla Khan is an experienced public defender who has defended clients accused of offenses ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Shahla was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Shahla is currently an attorney on a felony defense team.

Eric Krebs

Eric Krebs is an experienced trial attorney and zealous advocate. Before joining the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender, Eric established his own successful law practice with an emphasis on federal white collar and criminal defense matters, including a case roster involving all aspects of criminal defense from fraud and money laundering cases to computer crime and drug offenses. Previously, he served as an attorney in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California. Eric has also taught legal writing and moot court classes at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he was an Adjunct Professor of law. Eric currently serves as an attorney on a felony defense team.

Manuel Nieto

Manuel Nieto is a California Native, born and raised in rural Fresno County. Manuel is a graduate of Sanger High School. He completed a BA at Fresno State and a JD at the University of San Francisco School of Law. Manuel began his criminal defense career in Madera County and refined his litigation skills at the Fresno County Public Defender where he provided criminal defense services for nearly 19 years. He further served 10 years in private practice. Manuel has tried all level of cases, from misdemeanor traffic cases to murder cases. Manuel is fluent in Spanish. He enjoys his free time painting and reading about history.

Lisa McCamey

Lisa McCamey completed her BA at UC Santa Barbara and a JD at Golden Gate Univerity School of Law. Lisa has handled a wide range of cases including murder, attempted murder, three strikes cases, gang crimes, child molestation, rape/sexual assault, robbery, burglary, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft offenses, and juvenile cases. Ms. McCamey has practiced criminal law exclusively since 1993. She is licensed in California, New York, and Washington D.C., and has tried cases in California, New York, Arizona, and Colorado.

Darcy Morris

Darcy Morris is a fourth generation attorney. She is from Carson City, Nevada. Darcy went to University of California, Davis and graduated Cum Laude. Darcy graduated from law school at the University of San Francisco. Starting as a law student, Darcy has worked at various Public Defender's Offices in the state of California. Darcy has also worked in dependency court in Los Angeles to defend parents and help them reunify with their children. Darcy is currently an attorney on a misdemeanor defense team, where she represents clients that struggle with mental health, addiction and are charged with low-level crimes. Darcy is proficient in Spanish. She enjoys online shopping, indie concerts, and detective shows.

Ryan Perrault

Ryan has been defending the accused for over eight years and has been a public defender in Santa Cruz County for over five years, where he has handled misdemeanor and felony cases. Ryan was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Ryan is currently an attorney on a felony defense team. In his free time, Ryan enjoys running, traveling, and making art.

Anthony Robinson

Anthony Robinson is an experienced public defender who has defended clients accused of all manner of offenses. Anthony was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Anthony is currently a lead attorney in the Domestic Violence Department where he represents clients and supports a defense team that defends clients accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses involving domestic violence.

Ehvan Schectman

Ehvan Schectman is a public defender with experience representing clients accused of a variety of criminal offenses. Ehvan was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County, where he served as a Misdemeanor Team Lead. Ehvan is currently an attorney on the Domestic Violence Team, where he represents clients accused of misdemeanor domestic violence and assists with cases involving felonies. Ehvan has represented clients on matters ranging from petty theft to vehicular manslaughter, including handling numerous jury trials. In his free time, Ehvan likes to ride his 2020 Yamaha r6 motorcycle, travel, and spend time with friends, enjoying all the beauty Santa Cruz has to offer.

Sarah Schumacher

Sarah Schumacher has been a criminal defense attorney for 10 years. For the past six years, Sarah has enjoyed working as a public defender in Santa Cruz County. Sarah was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. During the course of her career, Sarah has handled a variety of felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases. Sarah is currently a lead attorney in a felony department, where she represents clients accused of felonies and supports a felony defense team. Sarah serves as a Commissioner on the Justice and Gender Commission.

Sayuri Takagawa

Sayuri Takagawa is a public defender with experience representing clients accused of delinquency and criminal offenses. Sayuri was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services in Santa Cruz County. Sayuri is currently a lead attorney in a misdemeanor department, where she defends clients accused of misdemeanors and supports a misdemeanor defense team.

Lawrence Tripp

Lawrence Tripp is an experienced trial lawyer and advocate. Before joining the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender, Lawrence Tripp worked for the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 2006 to 2022, handing cases ranging from traffic misdemeanors to homicides. Lawrence is an alumnus of University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a double major in Political Science and German, and Southwestern Law School, where he was an Associate Editor of the law review. Lawrence is currently an attorney on a felony defense team. In his free time, Lawrence enjoys live music, reading, hiking, and kayaking.

Stacy Vinyard

Stacy Vinyard is a public defender who has represented clients accused of all manner of offenses, from delinquency to felonies. Stacy was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services in Santa Cruz County. Stacy is currently an attorney on a felony defense team.

Joe Ziebron

Joe has been a public defender in California for seven years, living and working in Santa Cruz for the last six. Joe was a public defender at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services in Santa Cruz County. He has been a felony trial attorney in this county for five years. Joe is currently a lead attorney in a felony department, where he represents clients accused of felonies and supports a felony defense team.

Veronica Alonzo

Veronica Alonzo is a public defender investigator with considerable experience investigating all manner of cases in Santa Cruz County. Veronica previously served as an investigator at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Veronica is currently an investigator in the Juvenile Justice & Specialty Courts Unit. Veronica also handles felony and misdemeanor investigations. Veronica is a member of the California Defense Investigators Association. Veronica has a California Private Investigator license. In her free time, Veronica enjoys hiking and traveling. Veronica is fluent in Spanish.

Christina Garafola

Christina Garafola has been a criminal defense investigator since 2006. Christina previously served as an investigator at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. She has extensive experience working on misdemeanor, felony, mental health, and conservatorship cases. In her previous career, Christina ran after-school and summer camp programs for local elementary school students. Christina is currently an investigator on a felony defense team and assists clients in Lanterman-Petris Short (LPS) proceedings. She also assists our defense teams as a specialist in vulnerable witnesses. Christina is a member of the California Defense Investigators Association. Christina has a California Private Investigator license. In her free time, you can find her traveling, exploring museums, and attending live theatre.

Yesenia Guzman

Yesenia Guzman is a public defender investigator with experience investigating all manner of cases. Yesenia started her defense investigator career at the Fresno County Public Defender in 2015. Yesenia moved to Santa Cruz in 2019 to continue her career as in investigator at the law firm of Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Yesenia is currently an investigator on a felony defense team. Yesenia has a California Private Investigator license. In her free time, you can find her traveling, exploring Santa Cruz, and being a mentor and foster parent. Yesenia is fluent in Spanish.

Catherine Johnson

Catherine (Cathy) Johnson is a public defender investigator with extensive experience investigating cases in Santa Cruz County. Cathy served as an investigator at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Cathy conducted numerous social histories, investigated NGI cases, and worked alongside the Chief Investigator developing a thriving investigator intern program. Prior to that, Cathy clerked in the Santa Cruz Superior Court for several years. Cathy earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz. Cathy is currently an investigator on a felony defense team. Cathy also assists defense teams as a jury consultant. Cathy has a California Private Investigator license. Outside of work, Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, hiking among the redwoods, birdwatching, music, and baseball.

David Pacini

David Pacini is a public defender investigator with extensive experience investigating cases in Santa Cruz County. David has been working as a defense investigator for about 20 years and has experience working on a wide variety of cases. David served as an investigator at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. David is currently an investigator on the Domestic Violence team. David also assists defense teams as a specialist in domestic violence. David has a California Private Investigator license. In his free time, David enjoys playing tennis, jogging, and taking in the natural beauty of the Santa Cruz area. David is fluent in Spanish.

Siobhan Rice

Siobhan Rice has worked as a public defender investigator in Santa Cruz County since 2016. Siobhan has diligently investigated juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony cases. Siobhan was an investigator at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously handled public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Siobhan is currently an investigator on a misdemeanor defense team. Siobhan has a California Private Investigator license. Siobhan is also a member of the California Defense Investigators Association.

Joana Mendoza

Joana Mendoza is a public defender paralegal with extensive experience supporting clients seeking record clearance to clear obstacles to success. Joana was a paralegal at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Joana is currently a paralegal in the Collateral Consequences & Reentry Unit, where she specializes in record clearance, coordinates outreach, and assists with training and supporting student interns. Joana earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she majored in Politics. Joana has a Paralegal Certificate. In her free time, Joana enjoys traveling, attending live music events, and spending time with her friends and family. Joana is fluent in Spanish.

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy has been working in public defense since her graduation from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2020. Lauren was an investigator at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Lauren is currently a public defender paralegal on the Law & Motions team, where she assists defense teams with complex litigation. In her free time, Lauren enjoys rowing, volunteering, and practicing Spanish.

Bricele Aguilar

Bricele Aguilar graduated from San Jose State University in 2019 as a first-generation college student with a double major in Psychology and Justice Studies. During college, Bricele was a part of the Record Clearance Project, a program that helped clear people’s criminal records. The experience she gained helped her understand the harms inflicted by the criminal legal system and the discriminatory impact a record can have on an individual. Since graduating, Bricele has have worked with clients from many backgrounds to assist them with getting social services and connecting them with resources in Santa Cruz County. Bricele is currently a social worker in the Holistic Defense Division. Outside of work, Bricele enjoys going on walks with her dog, spending time with family, and visiting new places.

Alexander Berry

Alexander was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. He is a first-generation college student, having attended U.C. San Diego where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with dual majors in political science/public law and history. During college, Alexander participated in Model United Nations and Civil Discourse Club. He has worked on grassroots political campaigns and as a legal assistant at an immigration law firm. He has interned with the NAACP in Washington, DC. In his free time, Alexander enjoys going to thrift ships, reading, and watching movies. Alexander is a Partners for Justice Client Advocate.

Andrew Lopez

Andrew Lopez is a California native. Andrew graduated from Swarthmore College with a degree in Educational Studies. Andrew’s passion for social justice prompted him to work on multiple research projects during college, including an Honors Fellowship where he investigated issues facing boys of color in America and an independent study focused on criminal justice and abolition. In addition to his research work, Andrew has served as a college access mentor for high school students and participated in the Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars program at University of Oregon. Andrew is a Partners for Justice Client Advocate. Andrew speaks Spanish.

Yesenia Lopez-Duran

Yesenia is a Santa Cruz native. She graduated from San Jose State University in May 2020 as a first-generation college graduate with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Yesenia has always been driven for social justice and equality for individuals in underserved communities. While attending college, she volunteered at different non-profits and organizations in town and in San Jose working with children, youth, and adults. After graduating from college, Yesenia worked at a local non-profit in town working with Transition Age Youth in the community ensuring that they were receiving advocacy and mental health services, and having their basic needs met. Yesenia is currently a social worker in the Holistic Defense Division. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family and exploring new places.

Cristian Martinez

Cristian Martinez was born and raised in Southern California. A first-generation college student, he graduated from Humboldt State University with a BA in English, and received a Master of Science in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University. Cristian is focused on community service – he has worked as an elementary school teacher and as a professor on Climate Justice, Healing Justice, and Arts. Cristian’s work also includes social justice writing, highlighting injustices that dominant cultures of society tend to overlook. He is a native Spanish speaker who is motivated to support his community and help ameliorate the inequities within bureaucratic systems. Cristian speaks Spanish.

Lillian Nathanson

Lillian Nathanson is a graduate of Barnard College at Columbia University, where she studied sociology. Originally from Santa Fe, Lillian spent four years participating in her hometown’s Teen Court, an alternative youth justice program, serving as an attorney and Youth Council representative. At Barnard, Lillian honed her writing skills at the Columbia Daily Spectator and was a board member for the Women of Color Pre-Law Society. Lillian Nathanson is a Partners for Justice Client Advocate. Lillian speaks Spanish.

Maya Perelli

Maya Perrelli is originally from Chico, California and recently graduated from New York University with a Master’s in literature and social engagement. Maya previously contributed to defense work in various capacities and is looking forward to being part of a holistic defense team working directly with clients. Maya enjoys reading, eating, and almost all activities outside. Maya is a Partners for Justice Client Advocate. Maya speaks Spanish.

Hennah Vohra

Hennah Vohra is a California native, having grown up in Richmond. Hennah graduated from Middlebury College in 2021 as a first-generation college student. After graduation, Hennah worked with Middlebury Admissions with a particular focus on increasing the diversity of Middlebury applicants. During college, she served as a campus tour guide, was active in the South Asian Student Association, and completed a senior thesis on the decriminalization of schools. Hennah is a Partners for Justice Client Advocate. Hennah speaks fluent Punjabi and Hindi, as well as conversational Spanish.

Esteban Aguirre

Esteban provides bilingual, culturally responsive service to clients and members of the public who call or visit our Santa Cruz office. Esteban is fluent in Spanish.

Brenda Alvarez

Brenda Alvarez is a legal assistant in the Legal Services Unit. Brenda served in a similar capacity at Biggam, Christensen, and Minsloff, the private defense firm that previously provided public defense for Santa Cruz County. Brenda currently serves on a defense team. Outside of work, Brenda enjoys attending concerts and jaripeos. Brenda is fluent in Spanish.

Darlene Amara

Darlene Amara is a front desk specialist in the Legal Services Unit. Darlene served in a similar capacity at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Darlene provides bilingual, culturally responsive service to clients and members of the public who call or visit our Santa Cruz office. Darlene is fluent in Spanish.

Dylan Jones

Dylan Jones is an accomplished Information Technology (IT) professional with over 20 years of experience managing technology operations in the public and private sectors. Dylan currently leads the Information Technology Unit as an IT Business Systems Analyst. Dylan holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and Policy Analysis with a concentration in Information Systems. He uses his experience in technology leadership, data analytics, systems architecture, and software development to find innovative technical solutions to elevate public defense. Dylan facilitates technology vendor relations while developing integration solutions and customizations to enable the seamless flow of data and communications in and out of the agency’s case management system. Dylan oversees strategic planning, development and implementation of technology applications and infrastructure, information security governance, data management, and reporting and analytics.

Guadalupe ("Lupita") Lopez

Lupita Lopez is a legal assistant in the Legal Services Unit. Lupita served in a similar capacity at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Lupita currently serves on a defense team. Outside of the office, Lupita enjoys walks with her dog, attending sporting events, and spending time with her loved ones. Lupita is fluent in Spanish.

Esther Lobato

Esther Lobato is a legal assistant in the Legal Services Unit. Esther served in a similar capacity at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Esther currently serves on a defense team. Esther is fluent in Spanish.

Irene Muñoz

Irene Muñoz is a legal assistant in the Legal Services Unit. Irene served in a similar capacity at Biggam, Christensen & Minsloff, the defense firm that previously provided public defense services for Santa Cruz County. Irene currently serves in the Juvenile Justice & Specialty Courts Unit and is the client coordinator at our Watsonville office. Irene is fluent in Spanish.

Smireth Sweet

Smireth Sweet was born and raised in Merida, Venezuela. Smireth is a Public Defender Administrative Aide with extensive experience supporting clients as they navigate the criminal justice system. Smireth strongly believes that all people deserve a fair and zealous defense. Smireth was an Administrative Aide at The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency and Santa Cruz County Human Services Department helping the county in multiple capacities during the pandemic. Smireth also worked as an Investigator for The State Bar of California after moving from the State of New Jersey where she worked as an Investigator for the State of New Jersey-Appellate Division, Burlington County, Probation-Child Support Enforcement, Mercer County-Drug Court and for the Burlington County Public Defender’s Office. Smireth enjoys traveling, attending live music events, rooting for her favorite sport teams, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends. Smireth is fluent in Spanish.

Jowita Fratczak

Jowita Fratczak was born and raised in Poland. She attended San Jose State University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in justice studies. She is currently a third-year law student at the Golden Gate University School of Law. Jowita is a public defender law clerk assisting defense teams with complex litigation. Outside of work, Jowita enjoys spending time with her family and playing sports with her son.