San Diego Criminal Justice Memorial
Honorees
A memorial directory honoring deceased judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys who advanced criminal justice in San Diego County.
Kay L. Sunday
1947-2018
Kay Sunday was born Lana Kay Tomatta in Evansville, Indiana. At the age of 18, she married an Army paratrooper and moved to Germany. Many years later, they returned to the United States and lived in Columbus, Georgia briefly where Kay worked as a Secretary. After her son, Rob, was born, they returned to Indiana. There, Kay attended the University of Evansville where she studied journalism and psychology. During college, Kay worked at the Evansville Sunday Courier and Press. That is where she decided to take the last name of “Sunday” after splitting from Rob’s father. Subsequently, Kay moved to San Diego. She obtained her law degree at the University of San Diego. In 1981, Kay began working at Defenders, Inc. (which later became Community Defenders, Inc. (“Defenders”)). She was a staff attorney and supervisor. Kay was a tireless advocate. She was smart, dedicated to her clients, classy, and very loved by her colleagues and clients. Kay tried case after case, with great success. She was a mentor to many, especially young female attorneys. In fact, Kay and several of her colleagues founded the Women’s Criminal Defense Bar Association (no longer in existence). At Defenders, Inc., Kay and several of her colleagues formed the Savage Women of Defenders who met regularly. While at Defenders, Kay met and married Jack Hochman. They were married until he passed away in 2013.
In 1988, when the Public Defender’s Office was formed, Kay went into private practice. She retired in 2013. In addition to practicing law, Kay taught trial skills at the University of San Diego. Kay was very active in the criminal defense community. She was President of both the Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Club and the Criminal Defense Bar Association. Kay also served on the CACJ Board of Directors. Moreover, Kay helped form and was one of the founding members of the Private Conflicts Counsel (now OAC). She also received many awards, including Trial Lawyer of the Year Award (twice) and the Warhorse Award from the Criminal Defense Bar Association.