Our Staff

Receptionists, case managers, legal assistants, IT staff, investigators, paralegals, office administrators, CJA administrators, research & writing specialists, and attorneys all contribute to providing the highest quality representation to our clients. You will find no more dedicated, compassionate and talented group of people than at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of Washington. Together, with courage, commitment and strength, we stand up on behalf of our clients, the community and the Constitution. 

Below is a list of our current staff members.

Name Title Office
Amy Strickling Paralegal Tacoma Amy Strickling
Paralegal

 (253) 620-5510
 
Julie Valencia Paralegal Tacoma Julie Valencia
Paralegal

 (253) 620-5524
 
Elizabeth Sher Assistant Federal Defender Tacoma Elizabeth Sher
Assistant Federal Defender

 253.620.5520
 
Jessica Cvitanovic Branch Administrative Assistant Tacoma Jessica Cvitanovic
Branch Administrative Assistant

 (253) 620-5504
 
Joanna Martin Assistant Federal Defender Tacoma Joanna Martin
Assistant Federal Defender

 253.620.5506
 
Martiza Pitot Case Management Assistant Tacoma Martiza Pitot
Case Management Assistant

 2536205400
 
James Miller Computer Systems Administrator Tacoma James Miller
Computer Systems Administrator

 (206) 830-2944
 
Heather Carroll Assistant Federal Defender Tacoma Heather Carroll
Assistant Federal Defender

 (253) 620-5511
 
John Carpenter Assistant Federal Defender Tacoma John Carpenter
Assistant Federal Defender

 (253) 620-5502
 
Alan Zarky Research & Writing Specialist Tacoma Alan Zarky
Research & Writing Specialist

 (253) 620-5525
 
Becky Fish Assistant Federal Defender Tacoma Becky Fish
Assistant Federal Defender

 253.620.5522
 
Stacey Brownstein Chief Investigator Tacoma Stacey Brownstein
Chief Investigator

 (253) 620-5501
 
Michael Stortini Investigator Tacoma Michael Stortini
Investigator

 (253) 620-5509
 
Carolynn Cohn Paralegal Tacoma Carolynn Cohn
Paralegal

 (253) 620-5503
 
Charlotte Ponikvar Paralegal Seattle Charlotte Ponikvar
Paralegal

 (206) 830-2947
 
Colleen Fitzharris Assistant Federal Defender Seattle Colleen Fitzharris
Assistant Federal Defender

 206.830.2926
 
Janet Stanton Paralegal Seattle Janet Stanton
Paralegal

 (206) 830-2951
 
Sara Brin Assistant Federal Defender Seattle Sara Brin
Assistant Federal Defender

 (206) 830-2921
 
Patricia Stordeur Chief Paralegal Seattle Patricia Stordeur
Chief Paralegal

 (206) 830-2952
 
Jesse Cantor Assistant Federal Defender Seattle Jesse Cantor
Assistant Federal Defender

 (206) 830-2922
 
Suzie Strait Paralegal Seattle Suzie Strait
Paralegal

 (206) 830-2953
 
Natalie Harmon CJA Panel Administrator Seattle Natalie Harmon
CJA Panel Administrator

 (206) 830-2936
 
Cindy Stewart Paralegal Seattle Cindy Stewart
Paralegal

 206.830.2929
 
Dennis Carroll Assistant Federal Defender Seattle Dennis Carroll
Assistant Federal Defender

 (206) 830-2923
 
Emily Ziel Paralegal Seattle Emily Ziel
Paralegal

 (206) 553-1100
 
Diane Travis Paralegal, CJA Seattle Diane Travis
Paralegal, CJA

 (206) 830-2956
 
Mahkaea Jackson-Sams Investigator Seattle Mahkaea Jackson-Sams
Investigator

 206.830.2934
 
Corey Endo First Assistant Federal Defender Seattle Corey Endo
First Assistant Federal Defender

 (206) 830-2928
 
Lynn Shamulka Supervisory Administrative Assistant/Personnel Seattle Lynn Shamulka
Supervisory Administrative Assistant/Personnel

 (206) 830-2949
 
Lupe Zamudio Assistant Paralegal, CJA Seattle Lupe Zamudio
Assistant Paralegal, CJA

 (206) 830-2960