Katrina Davis was sworn-in as an assistant public defender for Jackson County on June 25. Davis is pictured with her children Kruz and Keimora Davis, and Circuit Judge Richard LaFlamme at her swearing-in on June 25.
By Julie Freer
Legal News
As a kid, Katrina Davis was always motivated by movies about the proverbial “underdog.”
“My favorite was ‘Lean on Me’ because it showed how one person with conviction and courage could challenge the status quo and make a lasting difference in the lives of others,” said Davis. “Joe Clark wasn’t afraid to go against the grain when he believed it was the right thing to do. That message resonated with me at a young age and helped shape the way I view leadership, service, and advocacy.”
Davis was sworn-in as an assistant public defender for Jackson County on June 25. The Cooley Law School grad and Jackson native first began working for the Office of the Public Defender for Jackson County in 2023. She served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Richard LaFlamme, and also spent a year clerking in Ingham County, where she gained valuable insight into how judges run their courtrooms, how to analyze legal arguments, and how to tailor legal arguments to be succinct and impactful.
“But most importantly, I learned that resilience is just as important as legal knowledge,” said Davis. “My path wasn’t easy. I took the bar exam more than once while working, serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and raising my children. Those experiences taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to keep moving forward despite setbacks.”
Determination is an attribute Davis developed at a young age. Raised by a single mom with two younger sisters, Davis said her mom often worked two jobs to make ends meet, and Davis would be tasked to get her sisters up for school.
“I watched my mom work hard, make sacrifices, and do whatever it took to provide for our family,” said Davis. “She taught us resilience, responsibility, and the importance of education, not only through her words, but through her example.”
As an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, Davis plotted out an ambitious path, intrigued by multiple fields of study – medicine, law and political science. She majored in political science while completing her pre-medical coursework.
“I’ve always been drawn to careers centered on service and solving complex problems,” said Davis. “Medicine interested me because it gave me the opportunity to help people during some of the most critical moments of their lives. Law appealed to me for the same reason. Law allows me to advocate for people, protect their rights, and navigate difficult legal issues. Politics interested me because it offers the opportunity to create broader, systemic change that can improve entire communities.”
Davis studied for the MCAT, but when she wasn’t accepted to medical school, she had to take a step back and reassess the path forward.
“One thing I knew for certain was that I had always wanted to serve something bigger than myself,” said Davis. “Since medical school was taking longer than I expected, I decided to pursue that calling by joining the medical side of the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2012. It gave me the opportunity to serve while continuing to grow professionally.”
It also helped her realize she didn’t enjoy hospital life as much as she imagined.
“I realized that while I loved helping people, what energized me most wasn’t bedside medicine, it was problem-solving, leadership, advocacy, and making decisions that could improve systems and people’s lives on a broader scale,” said Davis, “That realization ultimately reinforced that law was where I was meant to be.”
Davis still uses her leadership skills with the U.S. Air Force in her capacity as a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Optometry, helping oversee daily operations, managing personnel and training, and ensuring the availability of medical equipment so airmen remain medically ready to accomplish the Air Force mission.
As she forged ahead on her legal path with internships and law clerking positions, she had moments of doubt, but she credits mentors with encouraging her to persevere.
“Fortunately, while in Ingham County 30th Circuit Court, Judge Clinton Canady III, Judge Morgan Cole, and Judicial Assistant Diane Chillers took the time to mentor me, explain the legal process, and help me develop the confidence and analytical skills I needed to succeed,” said Davis. “There were so many people in that courthouse that helped and
supported me. I am forever grateful for all of them!
“By the time I joined the Jackson County Public Defender’s Office, again, I brought not only legal training but also resilience, empathy, and a genuine appreciation for the impact that guidance and advocacy can have on someone’s life. Those experiences will continue to shape the attorney I am today.”
Davis has deep Jackson roots. During her time at Jackson High School, she was captain of the girls’ basketball team, a cheerleader, ran track, sang in the Black History Tour group, and was in student government. A decade after graduating, she coached the Jackson High School Varsity Cheer team. She’s also active at her church, Lily Missionary Baptist Church; Pastor James Hines attended Davis’ June 25 swearing-in.
“What I find most fulfilling about working as an Assistant Public Defender for Jackson County is the opportunity to serve my community by protecting the constitutional rights of individuals who may not otherwise have access to legal representation,” said Davis. “After law school graduation I was very naïve to how little many people knew about the criminal process. Every client has a unique story, and I enjoy taking the time to understand their circumstances, educate them on the legal process, and advocate for the best possible outcome.”
For those just starting their journey, Davis said her main piece of advice is: Don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out right away.
“If you’re interested in several professions, lean into that curiosity,” said Davis. “Shadow people in those careers, ask to observe their day-to-day work, volunteer, intern, and have conversations with professionals. Ask lots of questions, even the ones you think are obvious. More importantly, get involved. The more exposure you have, the more you’ll understand what you enjoy, what you don’t, and you’ll begin developing better questions you didn’t even know to ask.”
Outside of work and church, as a divorced mother of two with a “bonus” child — her niece — her children keep her busy and inspire her, whether she’s cheering from the sidelines at basketball games, helping with school, or spending quality time together.
“Some of my greatest joy comes from watching my children discover their own gifts and passions,” said Davis.
If there’s one thing she hopes people take away from her journey, it’s that very few paths are straight.
“If I can encourage just one person to pursue their purpose, persevere through adversity, or believe in themselves a little more, then I believe I’ve been successful,” said Davis. “As Ruth Bader Ginsberg once said, ‘And as you pursue your paths in life, leave tracks. Just as others have been way pavers for you, so you should aid those who will follow in your way.’”
Legal News
As a kid, Katrina Davis was always motivated by movies about the proverbial “underdog.”
“My favorite was ‘Lean on Me’ because it showed how one person with conviction and courage could challenge the status quo and make a lasting difference in the lives of others,” said Davis. “Joe Clark wasn’t afraid to go against the grain when he believed it was the right thing to do. That message resonated with me at a young age and helped shape the way I view leadership, service, and advocacy.”
Davis was sworn-in as an assistant public defender for Jackson County on June 25. The Cooley Law School grad and Jackson native first began working for the Office of the Public Defender for Jackson County in 2023. She served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Richard LaFlamme, and also spent a year clerking in Ingham County, where she gained valuable insight into how judges run their courtrooms, how to analyze legal arguments, and how to tailor legal arguments to be succinct and impactful.
“But most importantly, I learned that resilience is just as important as legal knowledge,” said Davis. “My path wasn’t easy. I took the bar exam more than once while working, serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and raising my children. Those experiences taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to keep moving forward despite setbacks.”
Determination is an attribute Davis developed at a young age. Raised by a single mom with two younger sisters, Davis said her mom often worked two jobs to make ends meet, and Davis would be tasked to get her sisters up for school.
“I watched my mom work hard, make sacrifices, and do whatever it took to provide for our family,” said Davis. “She taught us resilience, responsibility, and the importance of education, not only through her words, but through her example.”
As an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, Davis plotted out an ambitious path, intrigued by multiple fields of study – medicine, law and political science. She majored in political science while completing her pre-medical coursework.
“I’ve always been drawn to careers centered on service and solving complex problems,” said Davis. “Medicine interested me because it gave me the opportunity to help people during some of the most critical moments of their lives. Law appealed to me for the same reason. Law allows me to advocate for people, protect their rights, and navigate difficult legal issues. Politics interested me because it offers the opportunity to create broader, systemic change that can improve entire communities.”
Davis studied for the MCAT, but when she wasn’t accepted to medical school, she had to take a step back and reassess the path forward.
“One thing I knew for certain was that I had always wanted to serve something bigger than myself,” said Davis. “Since medical school was taking longer than I expected, I decided to pursue that calling by joining the medical side of the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2012. It gave me the opportunity to serve while continuing to grow professionally.”
It also helped her realize she didn’t enjoy hospital life as much as she imagined.
“I realized that while I loved helping people, what energized me most wasn’t bedside medicine, it was problem-solving, leadership, advocacy, and making decisions that could improve systems and people’s lives on a broader scale,” said Davis, “That realization ultimately reinforced that law was where I was meant to be.”
Davis still uses her leadership skills with the U.S. Air Force in her capacity as a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Optometry, helping oversee daily operations, managing personnel and training, and ensuring the availability of medical equipment so airmen remain medically ready to accomplish the Air Force mission.
As she forged ahead on her legal path with internships and law clerking positions, she had moments of doubt, but she credits mentors with encouraging her to persevere.
“Fortunately, while in Ingham County 30th Circuit Court, Judge Clinton Canady III, Judge Morgan Cole, and Judicial Assistant Diane Chillers took the time to mentor me, explain the legal process, and help me develop the confidence and analytical skills I needed to succeed,” said Davis. “There were so many people in that courthouse that helped and
supported me. I am forever grateful for all of them!
“By the time I joined the Jackson County Public Defender’s Office, again, I brought not only legal training but also resilience, empathy, and a genuine appreciation for the impact that guidance and advocacy can have on someone’s life. Those experiences will continue to shape the attorney I am today.”
Davis has deep Jackson roots. During her time at Jackson High School, she was captain of the girls’ basketball team, a cheerleader, ran track, sang in the Black History Tour group, and was in student government. A decade after graduating, she coached the Jackson High School Varsity Cheer team. She’s also active at her church, Lily Missionary Baptist Church; Pastor James Hines attended Davis’ June 25 swearing-in.
“What I find most fulfilling about working as an Assistant Public Defender for Jackson County is the opportunity to serve my community by protecting the constitutional rights of individuals who may not otherwise have access to legal representation,” said Davis. “After law school graduation I was very naïve to how little many people knew about the criminal process. Every client has a unique story, and I enjoy taking the time to understand their circumstances, educate them on the legal process, and advocate for the best possible outcome.”
For those just starting their journey, Davis said her main piece of advice is: Don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out right away.
“If you’re interested in several professions, lean into that curiosity,” said Davis. “Shadow people in those careers, ask to observe their day-to-day work, volunteer, intern, and have conversations with professionals. Ask lots of questions, even the ones you think are obvious. More importantly, get involved. The more exposure you have, the more you’ll understand what you enjoy, what you don’t, and you’ll begin developing better questions you didn’t even know to ask.”
Outside of work and church, as a divorced mother of two with a “bonus” child — her niece — her children keep her busy and inspire her, whether she’s cheering from the sidelines at basketball games, helping with school, or spending quality time together.
“Some of my greatest joy comes from watching my children discover their own gifts and passions,” said Davis.
If there’s one thing she hopes people take away from her journey, it’s that very few paths are straight.
“If I can encourage just one person to pursue their purpose, persevere through adversity, or believe in themselves a little more, then I believe I’ve been successful,” said Davis. “As Ruth Bader Ginsberg once said, ‘And as you pursue your paths in life, leave tracks. Just as others have been way pavers for you, so you should aid those who will follow in your way.’”
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
