SDAP is excited to welcome two new staff attorneys, Julie Caleca and Mi Kim.
Julie is a 2012 graduate of New York Law School. During and after law school, she served as an intern for multiple public defender offices in both California and New York. After being admitted to the State Bar, she worked for a solo practitioner in San Diego, assisting on appellate panel cases. This is where Julie discovered a passion for appellate work. Soon after, she joined the CAP-LA and SDAP panels, and continued this work for ten years.
Mi has been on every panel and has served on the board of California Appellate Defense Counsel. She graduated from University of Miami School of Law. After working for private firms and government agencies, she worked as a solo criminal defense practitioner. She is also a co-chair of the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center’s Amicus and Litigation Committee.
SDAP is sad to see Patrick McKenna and Paul Couenhoven leave. Both have provided many years of service and have been a valuable resource. Patrick was Executive Director from 2019 to 2024, and Jonathan Grossman is replacing him in this role. Lori Quick will remain in her position as SDAP’s Assistant Director.
