We envision a community that prioritizes love, compassion, and equity over judgment, shame, and division.

Our Mission: We fight for justice in the courts, care in the community, and dignity in the world.

Kalamazoo Defender is a non-profit public defender office, providing our clients who were appointed a public defender zealous legal representation with a holistic lens.

Racism, trauma, and other systemic barriers often contribute to our clients’ legal situations. We know that the cycle of injustice they have experienced will repeat itself within the court system if no action is taken. This cycle results in extended sentences, repeated charges, and continued individual and familial trauma.

Kalamazoo Defender works to break these cycles for our clients by reducing barriers to needed services. Our highly skilled legal team provides legal representation within the court system. Our multidisciplinary care hub, The Village, facilitates client engagement with social services.

Kalamazoo Defender Appoints New Chief Public Defender

KALAMAZOO – Matthew Wait, Executive Director and Public Defender, has named Rachel Suhrbier the new Chief Public Defender of Kalamazoo County Defender, Inc. Suhrbier has served as Deputy Chief Public Defender since September 2023 and has been an attorney with Kalamazoo Defender since 2019. As the Chief Public Defender, Suhrbier will oversee a dedicated staff of attorneys, paralegals, investigators, mitigation specialists and other MIDC staff at one of Michigan’s most innovative indigent defense practices. “Rachel has been an amazing Defender during her time here. Her work has made us a better organization and allows us to better represent our clients,” according to Wait. “The impact she has made as Deputy Chief has shown that she is more than ready to ascend to the Chief Public Defender role where she will continue to make outstanding contributions to our practice,” he added. “It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of Kalamazoo Defender since its infancy. Seeing this organization jump from the pages of the original proposal to an office of committed Defenders is a daily reminder of the good people can do when they work together. I look forward to continued service to the Kalamazoo Defender team and our community in my role as Chief Defender,” Suhrbier noted. Kalamazoo Defender plans to conduct a search for the Deputy Chief Public Defender position starting in the near future. However, until such time as a permanent hire has been announced. Donna Innes, the first Chief Defender of Kalamazoo Defender, has agreed to step into the role. “I am humbled that Donna Innes is willing to step in to be my interim Deputy Chief. She is an excellent role model who is generous with her knowledge and time. I have immense respect for her and I truly know how lucky I am to have her as my partner in this work,” opined Suhrbier. Before her tenure at Kalamazoo Defender, Suhrbier served as a Staff Attorney with Legal Aid of West Michigan. Suhrbier brings with her over sixteen years of experience as an attorney. Suhrbier holds a Juris Doctor degree from Creighton University School of Law and undergraduate degrees from the University of Iowa. Suhrbier will assume her new functions immediately. She is the third Chief Public Defender in the organization’s history.

Kalamazoo Defender’s New Chief Defender Rachel Suhrbier

Kalamazoo Defender’s Non-Discrimination Policy

Kalamazoo Defender is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all individuals. We uphold a policy of equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination in any form against employees, employee applicants, directors, board members, interns, clients, volunteers, vendors, or any other individuals associated with our organization. We prohibit discrimination based on race, including hairstyles associated with race such as braids, locs, twists, afros, cornrows, Bantu knots, etc., sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, including clothing associated with religion such as hijabs, turbans, etc., national origin (ancestry), citizenship status, age, height, weight, pregnancy, ability, socio-economic background or circumstances, military or veteran status, marital or partnership status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, or body art, including piercings and tattoos.

We are committed to maintaining a workplace and environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and will comply with and aim to surpass antidiscrimination policies set forth by local, state, and federal laws protecting against such actions.

Kalamazoo Defender values diversity and strives to create an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and full authentic selves into the space.

Our Values

Universal human worth

Solidarity in community

Anti-racism

Equal justice

Transformational leadership

Need legal assistance?

Counsel & Advocacy Law Line (CALL) is Lakeshore Legal Aid’s attorney-staffed, statewide phone service. CALL offers legal advice and legal aid referrals to seniors and other people with low incomes. Call 1-888-783-8190 to find out if they can help you.

Depending on where you live, CALL can help figure out if you qualify for free legal aid in your area. Eligible clients can speak with CALL lawyers who can give free advice, brief service, and referrals to help solve legal problems. Ineligible callers are offered private bar and social service referrals. CALL attorneys regularly resolve consumer, education, employment, health, and housing disputes, secure and protect public benefits, and guide self-represented litigants through domestic, housing, and other civil actions. Use the Guide to Legal Help or call 1-888-783-8190 to find out if they can help you.