Interim County Public Defender Named

Kathleen Pozzi, a Sonoma County native who was raised on her grandparents' dairy farm, has been appointed the Interim Sonoma County Public Defender, announced Shirlee Zane yesterday on behalf of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

Pozzi is succeeding John Abrahams who is retiring after 21 years in the Public Defender's Officer, serving as the Public Defender from 2005-2012. She will serve a six month period, then the Board will decide whether a recruitment is warranted.

With Pozzi’s appointment, three key Sonoma County offices are now held by women. The others are District Attorney Jill Ravich, who was elected in 2010 over incumbent Stephan Passalacqua, and Board of Supervisors chair Shirlee Zane, who succeeded Efren Carrillo to the rotating post in January.

 “We are proud to announce that Kathleen Pozzi has agreed to assume responsibility for the interim period and will be Sonoma County's next and first woman Public Defender,” said Zane in her statement. “Kathleen brings a lifetime of service to Sonoma County. She possesses the leadership skills and veracity required to ensure the People's business is performed to the highest standard."

Pozzi commented, "It is truly an honor to serve as the Public Defender. As someone who born and raised in Sonoma County, I see it as the highest calling to work for our community. The work of the Public defender is to ensure the Constitutional rights of all residents are protected to the best of our ability. I look forward to working with our partners in the criminal justice system in continuing our efforts serving those in need."

In her statement Zane also noted, "The entire Board would like to thank John for his decades of service to the community.  John has led the department with integrity and professionalism.”

Kathleen Pozzi attended Tomales High School and later graduated from Piner High School.  She received an A.A. degree from SRJC in Administration of Justice the same year she graduated from high school. In 1981, she graduated from University of San Francisco with a degree in Government.

Pozzi graduated the local Empire College School of Law in 1987 and quickly accelerated as a Public Defender until she was made Chief Deputy to the Assistant Public Defender.

She has been married to Larry McClure for 30 years and has one 25 year old daughter and two grandsons.