Leadership
Public Defender
Theresa G. Haire
Theresa G. Haire
Montgomery County Public Defender
937-496-7478
hairet@mcohio.org
Theresa graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. and holds a J.D. from The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. Before becoming the Montgomery County Public Defender, Theresa served as Deputy Director of the Ohio Public Defender for five years. Prior to that, Teresa practiced law as an Assistant Public Defender at the Ohio Public Defender’s Office, successfully litigating cases at every judicial level in state and federal court. Theresa is also a member of the National Defender Training Project Trial School faculty. Theresa’s professional affiliations include membership with the National Association for Public Defense, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Dayton Bar Association. She is licensed to practice in the state of Ohio, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
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
Elizabeth Foster
Elizabeth Foster
Administrative Assistant Manager
937-224-3714
Elizabeth graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Law and Paralegal Studies. She also obtained an A.A.S. in Legal Studies from the Sinclair Community College. Elizabeth is a member of the National Association for Public Defense, the Dayton Bar Association, and is a Notary Public for the State of Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys exploring local and national parks, building and collecting Lego plants, trying new baking recipes, and traveling abroad.
Alyssa Yates
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.
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:
Dianne F. Marx
Public Defender Commission Chairperson
Term Ending: 12-31-2027
