Federal Defender

Ray Kent is the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Michigan. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and Wayne State University Law School where he was awarded the Order of the Coif and founded the Student Trial Advocacy Program. Mr. Kent began his career with Sidley, Austin, Brown and Wood in Chicago before relocating to Grand Rapids. He is president of the Federal Bar Association. Mr. Kent serves on the Steering Committee and faculty of the Hillman Advocacy Program. He is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference. Mr. Kent is an American Inns of Court master. For 2009, Mr. Kent is the Honorary Chair for the Combined Federal Campaign in West Michigan.