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Joseph Kanan

Phone: 616-610-8615
KananJ@michigan.gov

Regional Manager
Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties.

Joseph Kanan is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has devoted his career to representing individuals charged with crimes, including the past five years as a senior public defender. Throughout his career, Joe has handled a wide range of felony and misdemeanor cases, including the most serious felony offenses, post-conviction matters, and appeals. Joe brings a deep commitment to public service and a shared vision of strengthening Michigan’s indigent defense system to a national standard of excellence. Joe graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in business (B.S. 88) and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (J.D. 94).

Jessica Paladino

Phone: 313-319-4431
PaladinoJ@michigan.gov
Regional Manager
Wayne County

Jessica attended Law School at Cooley Law School and attended University of Detroit-Mercy where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

Jessica was licensed to practice law in 2010 and served as a roster attorney serving the South Central Michigan and Wayne County regions. Prior to joining the MIDC, Jessica was the Managing Attorney in Monroe County for two years. She currently serves as Vice President for the Monroe County Bar Association and serves on the Representative Assembly for the State Bar of Michigan. She enjoys coaching youth hockey with the Trenton Hockey Association where she is also the President of the Association.

 

Jacklyn Downer

 

Jacklyn Downer joined the MIDC staff in April 2024 as the Executive Assistant where she provides administrative assistance and support to Executive Director Kristen Staley. Prior to joining the MIDC, Jacklyn worked in various secretarial roles within the Michigan Department of Corrections for over 27 years. At the MIDC, Jacklyn is also responsible for providing technical assistance and guidance to office staff and to members of the Commission.

Tracey M. Martin

Phone: 586-638-6546
MartinT28@michigan.gov
Regional Manager
Lapeer, Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair

Tracey Martin is based in Wayne County. Prior to joining the MIDC, she worked at the Third Judicial Court of Michigan as a Family Court Referee in the Juvenile Section assigned to a dual docket presiding over child welfare and juvenile and truancy matters. Tracey was a member of the Referees Association of Michigan where she also served as a contributor and assistant editor for the Referees Quarterly publication. She authored the Wayne County juvenile and neglect and abuse case law updates. She regards indigent defense as a calling and before her appointment as a referee, she served 15 years defending adults in the criminal division, parents in child welfare proceedings and also youth concerning juvenile delinquency matters in multiple jurisdictions across Michigan.  She is concerned with using innovative technology to improve indigent defense and working to promote improvements in indigent juvenile defense. Upon joining MIDC, Tracey has now served in all three branches of government. After she received her B.A. from Wayne State University in communications, she subsequently worked in the media, and government affairs.  In addition, she did a stint in Lansing as a legislative assistant. While in law school as a 3L, Tracey worked at the Legal Aid and Defender Association in the Private Attorney Involvement Unit where she coordinated pro bono opportunities and organized law clinics for the community. Tracey earned her J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Matthew Lozen

Phone: 989-770-0564
LozenM@michigan.gov

Regional Manager – Mid-Michigan
Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Huron, Iosco, Isabella, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola

Matt is based in Michigan’s thumb, where he has represented indigent clients for over 15 years. Matt graduated from Albion College with a BA in History and concentrations in Public Policy & Service, and Law, Justice & Society.  While attending Albion, Matt interned for TV Edwards Solicitors, an indigent defense firm in London, England where he was tasked with gathering evidence, interviewing clients, and assisting barristers at trial.

Prior to joining the MIDC, Matt graduated from Wayne State University Law School and worked as an appointed attorney in St. Clair County before becoming the Managed Assigned Counsel – Director (MAC-D) for Sanilac County in 2018. As part of the first class of MAC-Ds in Michigan, Matt helped to develop best practices for offices across Michigan as they worked to implement the new MIDC Standards.

Lauren Calef

Phone:(906)250-4406
CalefL@michigan.gov

Regional Manager – Northern Michigan
Alger, Antrim, Baraga, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iron, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Missaukee, Ontonagon, Otsego, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft, Wexford.

Lauren Calef joined the MIDC staff in November 2023.  Prior to working for the Commission, Lauren was an Assistant Public Defender in Marquette County.

Neil Weinberg

Neil Weinberg joined the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission in September 2022 as a Research Analyst. Prior to his employment with the MIDC, Neil was a Senior Research Analyst with the Michigan Legislative Service Bureau where he provided nonpartisan research and analysis to members and staff of the Michigan Legislature. At LSB, he specialized in criminal justice; government institutions and transparency; legislative and administrative process; and energy and utilities, in addition to serving as the editor of the Michigan Manual. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bradley Sheaffer

Brad Sheaffer joined the MIDC in June 2022 as a Grant Analyst. Prior to his employment with the MIDC, Brad worked for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as a Departmental Technician with Prior Review Division as well as the Benefits Monitoring Program reviewing requests and aiding Medicaid recipients. Brad has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Western Michigan University and an MBA from Davenport University.

Nicole Walter

Phone: 517-435-6590
WalterN2@michigan.gov
Regional Manager – South Central Michigan
Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, Washtenaw

Nicole Walter is based in Jackson County. Prior to joining the MIDC, she worked at the Office of the Jackson County Public Defender. She first served as the MIDC Compliance Analyst and was later promoted to a public defender position. She is particularly concerned with issues of substance abuse as it relates to criminal justice and seeks alternatives to incarceration that include mental health treatment and rehabilitation. She graduated from Kalamazoo College and Wayne State University Law School and worked for many years in banking/finance before shifting her purpose to indigent defense.

Shunkea Brown

Shunkea Brown rejoined the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) in February 2026 as a Grant Analyst. She previously worked with the MIDC from 2021 to 2023. Shunkea has extensive experience in financial and programmatic roles within the State of Michigan, including positions at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Insurance and Financial Services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA in Strategic Management, both from Davenport University.