Leadership
Public Defender
Timothy Young
Timothy Young
Montgomery County Public Defender
937-496-7478
youngt@mcohio.org
Tim Young was appointed as the Montgomery County Public Defender on August 1, 2026. Prior to serving in this role, he was the Ohio Public Defender for 16 years, and he previously served as an assistant public defender in Montgomery County, Ohio, for 14 years. He has led reform efforts for indigent defense in Ohio and nationally. Tim is a founder and inaugural chair of the National Association for Public Defense. He previously served as chair and vice chair of the American Council of Chief Defenders. He was a member of the committee that reformed Rule 16 discovery, and he was the voice for self-defense reform, with Ohio finally joining the rest of the nation in its self-defense laws. Tim is responsible for creating the Ohio Wrongful Conviction Project, a non-DNA exoneration project.
He also served on numerous task forces and committees including the Joint Task Force to Review the Administration of Ohio’s Death Penalty, the Task Force on Funding of Ohio Courts, the Access to Justice Task Force, and as a member of the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission. He has tried numerous cases throughout his career, ranging from misdemeanors to homicide cases. Tim received his B.A. and his J.D. from the University of Dayton. He has devoted his career to serving those in need in our society.
DEPUTY Public Defender
Kristine E. Comunale
Kristine E. Comunale
Interim Deputy Public Defender
937-496-7395
ComunaleK@mcohio.org
Kristine graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Wittenberg University and holds a J.D. from the Toledo University School of Law. She has practiced as an attorney since 1993. Before coming to our office, Kristine worked for the Legal Aid Society of Toledo. Kristine is a member of the Dayton Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association for Public Defense, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is licensed to practice in the state of Ohio. In her free time, Kristine enjoys watching her sons perform in theatre.
ATTORNEY MANAGERS
Christopher W. Thompson
Christopher W. Thompson
Interim Felony Division Manager
937-224-8633
ThompsonC@mcohio.org
Christopher graduated from Miami University and holds a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. He has been an attorney since 1991. Christopher also has prior experience as a law clerk at the City of Cleveland Prosecutor’s Office and as an attorney at the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office. His professional affiliations include membership with the National Association for Public Defense, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Dayton Bar Association. Christopher is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. In his free time, Christopher enjoys gardening and spending time with his dogs.
Amanda M. Kuhn
Amanda M. Kuhn
Misdemeanor Division Manager
937-224-8623
kuhna@mcohio.org
Mandy graduated from Ohio University with a B.A. in Sociology and holds a J.D. from the Florida Coastal School of Law. She has been an attorney since 2005. Mandy has practiced as a Public Defender working in Jacksonville, Florida before joining our office. She is licensed to practice in the state of Ohio. In her free time, Mandy enjoys traveling and listening to live music.
Nikole E. Xarhoulacos
Nikole E. Xarhoulacos
Child & Family Law Division Manager
937-224-8617
xarhoulacosn@mcohio.org
Nikole graduated from the University of Dayton with a B.A. in Political Science and holds a J.D. from Capital University Law School. Nikole has over 15 years of legal experience that includes her years of service at the Public Defender’s Office and her five years as a Magistrate in Montgomery County Juvenile Court. During her tenure at Juvenile Court, Nikole presided over the nationally recognized Family Treatment Court program and she continues to advocate for those who are struggling with the disease of addiction. She has been an adjunct instructor at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio for seven years and has taught courses on Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law, Probation and Parole, Juvenile Delinquency, and White Collar Crimes. Nikole was recently inducted as a Fellow for the Ohio State Bar Foundation and proudly serves as a Board Member for the Dayton Mediation Center. Nikole’s professional affiliations include membership with the Dayton Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association (past Chair of the Juvenile Law Committee), the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the National Association for Public Defense. Nikole has been licensed to practice in the State of Ohio and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
DIVISION MANAGERS
Reva Dudley Loveless
Reva Dudley Loveless
Administrative Assistant Manager
937-496-7482
LovelessR@mcohio.org
Reva is currently the Administrative Assistant Manager and a Notary at the Public Defender’s Office. She completed the Realest Program at Sinclair Community College and was on the trustee board for County Corp. Housing for over six years. Prior to being part of our office, Reva was a Certified Medical Assistant. She served 33 years as a Case Manager/Clerk in Courtroom for Montgomery County Juvenile Court. Once she retired, she worked as a Job Coach at JFS. Today, Reva enjoys being with her grandchildren and helping out her granddaughter’s drill team, as she loves sports. Additionally, she helps manage rental properties for a family member.
Alyssa Yates
Manager of Social Work
937-224-8628
YatesA@mcohio.org
Alyssa graduated from Wright State University with a B.A. in Rehabilitation Services and also received her Master’s of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Alyssa is a licensed Social Worker and brings prior experience working with adults experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and alcohol and drug addiction. Alyssa is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and National Association for Public Defense. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Rachel Thompson
Rachel Thompson
Manager of Client Engagement
937-224-8616
ThompsonR@mcohio.org
Rachel graduated from Kaplan College with her Dental Diploma. With over 15 years of experience in customer services and a dedicated year of working with the Public Defender’s Office, Rachel brings both empathy and efficiency to every client interaction. She has background in high-stakes client engagement helps her navigate sensitive situations, balancing the needs of the clients, attorneys, and court personnel to uphold the highest standards of public defense. She is an active member of the Black Public Defenders Association. During her free time, she loves hanging out with family, doing hair, traveling, and cooking. Rachel also owned a childcare facility for two years.
PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSIONERS
The Law Office of the Public Defender is governed by the Montgomery County Public Defender Commission. The Commission consists of five members of the Dayton Community, who are appointed by various county judges and by the county commissioners. The members are as follows:
Alyssa Yates