Attorney Contact Information

Frederick Lepley is the Chief Assistant Public Defender.

He graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, then received his juris doctor from Wayne State University Law School.

He currently handles felony cases, primarily those out of the Marine City District Court.

He has been practicing law for over 30 thirty years, and has a broad range of experience in criminal law, family law, and civil litigation.  He has handled numerous high-profile criminal cases, and his work has been featured on Dateline NBC  and Investigation Discovery.

You can contact him at (810) 985-2333 ext. 6401, or by email at flepley@stclaircounty.org.

(810)985-2333 ext 6374

Jacob is an Assistant Public Defender with a focus on misdemeanor cases.

He graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy summa cum laude. He obtained his Juris Doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law. Prior to coming on as a staff attorney, he clerked at the St. Clair County Public Defender’s Office.

He can be reached at (810) 985-2333 ext. 6426 or by email at jbarnes@stclaircounty.org.

Lance Bruck has been an Assistant Public Defender since February 2023.

He attended Wayne State University Law School on a Merit Scholarship. While in law school, he also received several public interest scholarships including the Public Interest Law Fellowship and was a member of the Mock Trial Team. He is a graduate of Purdue University.

Lance’s greatest dedication is to the vigorous defense of his clients.

In his spare time, he enjoys sailing, golf, and hanging out with his wife and two cats.

He can be reached at (810) 985-2333 ext. 6407 or by email at lbruck@stclaircounty.org.

Meggan Delisi is a Senior Assistant Public Defender focusing on felony cases in Port Huron, MI.

Meggan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on political science and history from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, graduating summa cum laude in 2015. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree graduating summa cum laude from Detroit Mercy Law School in 2019. She joined the Public Defender’s office in 2020.

Meggan can be reached at (810) 985-2333 ext. 6413 or mdelisi@stclaircounty.org.

Mariah Herfi is an Assistant Public Defender with a current focus on misdemeanor cases.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University, and a Juris Doctor  from the University of Detroit Mercy Law.

She is an elected counsel member of the State Bar of Michigan Prisons and Corrections section.

She can be reached at (810) 985-2333 ext. 6425, or via email at mherfi@stclaircounty.org.

David is an Assistant Public Defender with a focus on misdemeanor cases.

He graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Criminal Justice and a minor in Pre-Law. He then went on to obtain his Masters in Social Work with a concentration in substance abuse from Michigan State University. After graduate school, he then went on to complete his Juris Doctor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.  

He can be reached at (810) 985-2333 ext. 6406, or by email at djohnson@stclaircounty.org.

Joseph P. Kanan has been licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan since 1994. He is a member of the St. Clair County Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan.

He has maintained an office in St. Clair County since 1995. He joined the St Clair County Public Defender Office in March of 2020, bringing almost 30 years of trial experience.

He can be reached at (810) 985-2333 ext. 6408, or via email at jkanan@stclaircounty.org.

David E. Kelley is a Senior Assistant Public Defender focusing on felony cases in Port Huron, MI. 

David was born and raised in Port Huron and graduated from Port Huron Northern High School in 2002.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in History from the University of Michigan in 2005 and his Juris Doctor degree Cum Laude from Ave Maria School of Law in 2009. 

He has been a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan since 2009.  He previously worked as law clerk to the judges of the 31^st Circuit Court and was in private practice for several years before joining the St. Clair County Public Defender’s Office in 2020. 

David currently is a member of the St. Clair County Bar Association Board of Directors and is the Public Defender’s Office liaison to the St. Clair County Mental Health Court.  

He can be reached at (810) 985-2333, ext. 6409 or dkelley@stclaircounty.org.

John Przeslawski is an Assistant Public Defender.

John has a B.S. in Corporate Finance from Wayne State University, with a minor in Mechanical Engineering. John received his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy Law.

He can be reached at 810-985-2333 ext. 6415, or by email at jprzeslawski@stclaircounty.org.

Jennifer is a Senior Assistant Public Defender with a focus on felony cases.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saginaw Valley State University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Ferris State University and a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Prior to becoming a licensed attorney, Jennifer taught English abroad in South Korea and also worked in various political capacities throughout the federal, state, local and private sectors.

Jennifer can be reached at:  810-985-2333 ext. 6414, or via email at jrutkowski@stclaircounty.org.

Donald W. Sheldon is a Senior Assistant Public Defender focusing on felony cases in St. Clair County, Michigan.

Don was raised in and lives in St Clair County. He graduated from Port Huron Northern High School in 1974.  He earned an Associates of Arts degree from St Clair County Community College in 1976, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1978, and his Juris Doctor degree from Cooley Law School in 1981. 

He has been a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan since 1982.  He previously worked as law clerk to the judges of the 31^st Circuit Court, and was in private practice for over 30 years before joining the St. Clair County Public Defender’s Office in 2020. 

Don served for 8 years as the elected Supervisor of Burtchville Township (2000-2008), and currently is chairperson of the St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission.

He can be reached at (810) 985-2333, ext. 6410 or dsheldon@stclaircounty.org.

Brian M. Thomas is a Senior Assistant Public Defender handling all major felony cases in St. Clair County, Michigan. 

Brian was born and raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1991 with honors.  He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan, and his law degree cum laude from University of Detroit Mercy Law in 2001. 

Brian has 22 years of litigation experience.  Prior to joining the Public Defender’s Office in 2021, he was a partner at Touma, Watson, Whaling, Coury, Stremers & Thomas, P.C., and prior to that managed his own firm for several years.

Brian is a member of the St. Clair County Bar Association. 

He can be reached at (810) 985-2333, ext. 6405 or via email at bthomas@stclaircounty.org.   

Taylor Wells is an Assistant Public Defender with a current focus on misdemeanor cases.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy through the James Madison Program at Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State Law School.

She is an elected counsel member of the State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness Board.

When she is not working, she can be found golfing, hiking, or hanging out with her dogs.

You can contact her at (810) 985-2333, ext. 6411, or at twells@stclaircounty.org.