Cynthia Chandler

Cynthia Chandler is a Lecturer at Berkeley Law, University of California, Berkeley, and the Director of BALI (Bay Area Legal Incubator), a social-mission legal incubator in Oakland, California. With over 20 years of experience as a social entrepreneur, activist, academic, and attorney, she co-founded organizations such as Critical Resistance, Justice Now, and the Eviction Defense Center, and has coached numerous social entrepreneurs and attorneys.

Education:

• J.D., Harvard Law School (1995)
• M.Phil. in Criminology, University of Cambridge (1993)
• B.A., University of California, Berkeley (1990)

Research and Professional Focus:
Cynthia’s work centers on prison industrial complex abolition, access to justice, healthcare, and reproductive rights in prison. She merges legal practice with legislative advocacy, having pioneered California’s compassionate release process and contributed to national legal frameworks aimed at reducing imprisonment.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• California Women Lawyers’ Fay Stender Award (2015)
• Harvard Law School Gary Bellow Public Service Award (2011)
• Gevelber Distinguished Lecturer on Public Interest Law (2010)
• Women’s Health Activist Network’s Top 30 Activist for Women’s Health (2005)
• Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World Award (2001)
• Open Society Independent Projects Fellow (1998-1999)
• California Law Business’ Attorney to Whom California Can Be Most Grateful (1997)
• Echoing Green Social Entrepreneurship Fellow (1995-1997)