ABOUT ANNA WHITE

Anna White was born and raised in West Michigan. She grew up in Grand Rapids where she attended and graduated from City High School. Anna then went to Hope College to study Social Work, with a minor in Spanish. Anna played tennis for Hope College and participated in the Nykerk Competition. Also during college, Anna’s father passed away unexpectedly. That loss drew Anna even closer to her family and her faith.  

When Anna graduated in 2005, she began working at what is now known as Resilience. The incredible training and mentorship she received there is what paved the way for her to go to law school and seek out more ways she could serve vulnerable populations. 

 

While studying at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Anna met and married her husband Josh. Anna graduated in 2011, and that year also had their first child. After passing the bar exam, Anna began working at a well respected local firm, Hann Persinger, PC. It was there that Anna fell in love with indigent criminal defense work, mediation, and trial work. Anna also spent those years volunteering with local nonprofits. Anna served on the board of directors for LAUP and Midtown Counseling services, and was a volunteer mediator at Mediation Services. Anna was also involved in leadership at her church, Ridge Point, and continues to participate today on the advisory team and working with the youth group. 

 

During those years in private practice, Anna also had their second child and lost her mother to cancer. In the midst of parenting young children and navigating that loss, Anna was blessed to have such a rich community of personal and professional support. Working with people navigating criminal justice and family cases at the same time as those personal issues taught Anna about how important the right kind of support can be. 

 

In the last 7 years, Anna has been a part of the Ottawa County Public Defender Office. She has participated as faculty teaching trial skills, mentored new attorneys, and served on the board for the Ottawa County Bar Association. She has also continued her commitment to public service serving on the board of directors for Compassionate Heart Ministries and Movement West Michigan.  In the last two years, Anna was also appointed to the Ottawa County Community Corrections Advisory board and the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly. 

 

These personal and professional experiences have deepened Anna’s commitment to justice and care for her community.