Ilana Friedman

Ilana Friedman is an Assistant Professor of Law at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law, University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on policing practices, legal professionals' discretionary decision-making, and the intersection of law and society. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin, a J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law, an M.A. (Distinction) from Saint Louis University, and a B.A. in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Texas at Austin
• J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law
• M.A. (Distinction), Saint Louis University
• B.A. in History, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Interests: Friedman analyzes legal processes and organizational structures influencing police misconduct investigations. Her work explores prosecutors' roles in police accountability, drawing on interviews with legal professionals and civilians. She bridges sociological and legal frameworks to address systemic challenges in policing oversight.

Professional Experience:

• Former staff associate at the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights (Police Accountability Project)
• Specialized in federal criminal defense and civil rights litigation at Schwartz, Herman, and Davidson

Affiliations:

• Co-coordinator, Crime, Law, and Deviance Working Group (UT-Austin)
• Fellow, Urban Ethnography Lab (UT-Austin)
• Graduate Affiliate, Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice (UT-Austin)