The California Public Defenders Association's Board of Directors is comprised of public defenders committed to improving indigent defense throughout California and advocating for systemic change in the criminal legal system.

Executive Officers

Matt Sotorosen 
Matt Sotorosen
President
San Francisco
Tracie Olson
Tracie Olson
1st Vice President
Yolo
Open
2nd Vice President
Daniel Messner
Secretary
Solano
Susan Leff 
Susan Leff
Assistant Secretary
Santa Barbara

Board Members

Erin Brooks 
Erin Brooks
Term: April 2025
Tulare
Lael Kayfetz 
Lael Kayfetz
Term: April 2025
Siskiyou
Lisa Maguire 
Lisa Maguire
Term: April 2025
San Mateo
Alice Michel 
Alice Michel
Term: April 2025
Sacramento
Michael Mooney 
Michael Mooney
Term: April 2025
Orange
Yarrow Neubert 
Yarrow Neubert
Term: April 2025
Sonoma
Stephanie Regular 
Stephanie Regular
Term: April 2025
Alameda
Nick Stewart-Oaten 
Nick Stewart-Oaten
Term: April 2025
Los Angeles
Souley P. Diallo 
Souley P. Diallo
Term: April 2026
Riverside
Evan Kuluk 
Evan Kuluk
Term: April 2026
Contra Costa
Monica Nguyen 
Monica Nguyen
Term: April 2026
Riverside
Callie Steele 
Callie Steele
Term: April 2026
Santa Barbara
Jennifer Redding 
Jennifer Redding
Term: April 2026
Santa Clara
Haydeh B. Takasugi 
Haydeh B. Takasugi
Term: April 2026
Los Angeles
Brendon Woods 
Brendon Woods
Term: April 2026
Alameda

 

Staff

Kate Chatfield 
Kate Chatfield
Executive Director


Elisa Laier 
Elisa Laier
Operations

Edwin Kisun 
Edwin Kisun
Trainings Coordinator

CPDA Past Presidents

Arlene Speiser, 2023-2024, Orange County
Graciela Martinez, 2022-2023, Los Angeles County
Laura Arnold, 2021-2022, Santa Barbara County
Jennifer Friedman, 2020-2021, Los Angeles County
Oscar Bobrow, 2019-2020, Solano County
Robin Lipetzky, 2018-2019, Contra Costa County
Brendon Woods, 2017-2018, Alameda County
Charles Denton, 2016-2017, Alameda County
Michael Ogul, 2015-2016, Santa Clara County
Garrick Byers, 2014-2015, Marin County
Winston A. Peters, 2013-2014, Los Angeles County
Juliana Humphrey, 2012-2013, San Diego County
Margo George, 2011-2012, Alameda County
Jose Varela, 2010-2011, Marin County
Bart Sheela, 2009-2010, San Diego County
Les McMillan, 2008-2009, Los Angeles County