Lisa Waters

Lisa Waters is an Assistant Professor at The City University of New York School of Law. She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University. Her work focuses on criminal defense, forensic evidence challenges, and decarceration strategies. Previously, she served as a public defender in New Jersey, specializing in felony cases, forensic litigation, and supervising legal staff.

Lisa’s research addresses systemic issues in criminal justice, including flawed forensic techniques, back-end resentencing for juvenile offenders, and parole advocacy. She contributed to the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender’s Forensic Science Workgroup and Parole Working Group, shaping policies on firearm evidence and juvenile sentencing reform.

She has extensive litigation experience, including Frye challenges to novel forensic technologies and re-sentencing hearings that secured freedom for life-sentenced individuals. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes bridging academic theory with practical legal advocacy to support marginalized communities.