Joyce White Vance

Joyce White Vance is a Professor of Law at the University of Alabama School of Law. She previously served as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama (2009–2017) under President Barack Obama's nomination, overseeing federal criminal and civil litigation in areas such as civil rights, national security, cybercrime, public corruption, healthcare and corporate fraud, and drug trafficking. She also held roles as Assistant U.S. Attorney in Birmingham for 18 years and litigator in private practice.

• Education: B.A. from Bates College (magna cum laude), J.D. from University of Virginia School of Law

Her research and professional work focus on criminal justice systems, public health policy related to opioid epidemics, and legal ethics. She co-chaired the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee's Criminal Practice Subcommittee and led community initiatives addressing the heroin and opioid crisis in northern Alabama.

• Awards: Lou Wooster Public Health Hero Award

She is a frequent legal commentator on MSNBC and other media platforms, providing analysis on federal law enforcement, criminal prosecution, and legal policy developments.