71.03 Attorneys

Rachelle Francis joined SCPDA in 2001. Rachelle earned her B.A. at the University of Washington and her J.D. at Seattle University School of Law. During law school, Rachelle worked as a legal intern at the Law Office of Ruth Emily Vogel and the Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic. “I became a public defender because as a kid and a young adult, I had two main career goals: I wanted to do something that I loved, and I wanted to do something that could have a positive impact on people’s lives.  Being a public defender has accomplished both, and I can’t imagine a more rewarding legal career.”

Will Gelvick joined SCPDA in 2017 after working as a research attorney at the Law Office of Neil Fox, PLLC. Will also worked as an assistant director of fellowship programs, professional development coordinator, and legal fellow at the University of Minnesota Law School Human Rights Center. They earned their B.A. at Saint Catherine University and their J.D. at Santa Clara University School of Law. During law school, Will worked as a legal intern at the Santa Clara Office of the Public Defender and the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials. “I became a public defender because I wanted to use my education to advocate for people facing systemic oppression, police violence, and the denial of their rights – my goal is a more just society where everyone can thrive.”

Van Chu joined SCPDA in 2010 after working as a law clerk for The Honorable Judge Steven Gonzalez at the King County Superior Court. Van earned her B.S. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her J.D. at the University of Washington School of Law. She also served in the Peace Corps, teaching science in Western Samoa in the South Pacific. During law school, Van worked for UW Student Legal Services and the Innocence Project Northwest Clinic. “I became a public defender because it feels right to be working on the side of mercy and skepticism

Annika Carlsten joined SCPDA in 2002. Annika earned her B.A. at The Evergreen State College and her J.D. at the University of Denver College of Law. She spent a year as a visiting student at Northeastern University School of Law where she filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court on behalf of a public defense client sentenced to death. She also interned in the appeals unit at the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Boston and Amnesty International’s Program to Abolish the Death Penalty. Annika participated in the Prisoners’ Rights Clinic at Northeastern. She also published a law review article titled, “Young Enough to Die? Executing Juvenile Offenders in Violation of International Law.” She has presented at statewide programs on building rapport with clients with mental health issues. “I became a public defender because I was working on juvenile death penalty cases after several years of being a social worker with homeless and low-income youth. It was painfully obvious that juvenile offenders - of all levels - with proactive engaged lawyers and better resources had better outcomes and were given more compassionate and scientifically appropriate consideration. I am a fierce believer in the idea that ‘everybody is more than the worst thing they’ve done’ - especially children.”