Sharon Brett

Sharon Brett is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Kansas School of Law, joining in 2024. Her work focuses on systemic reform of government institutions, particularly within the criminal legal system and policing. Prior to academia, she served as Legal Director at the ACLU of Kansas, leading civil rights litigation across voting rights, Fourth Amendment issues, and LGBTQ+ rights. She clerked for U.S. District Judge John M. Facciola, worked in the DOJ's Civil Rights Division investigating police misconduct, and conducted policy research on criminal justice at Harvard's Criminal Justice Policy Program.

Education:

• J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 2012 (Magna cum laude)
• B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice, University of Michigan, 2005 (With distinction)

Research & Teaching: Her scholarship examines legal barriers to systemic reform, with publications in leading law reviews. She teaches Civil Procedure, Evidence, Federal Courts, and Social Justice Lawyering. Recent work analyzes structural litigation strategies, police accountability mechanisms, and the intersection of court culture with criminal law reform.

Professional Highlights:

• Argued multiple appeals on voting rights and redistricting
• Led federal/state court civil rights cases
• Amicus briefs on behalf of U.S. government on civil rights issues