Edie Fortuna

J. Edie Fortuna is a career public defender in Maryland and an Adjunct Professor at American University's School of Public Affairs. With over 17 years of experience as a trial lawyer, she has defended cases ranging from drug possession to murder. Since 2020, she has focused on post-conviction litigation with Maryland's Office of the Public Defender (OPD), ensuring clients' rights to fair legal processes.

Education:

• B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science, St. Mary's College of Maryland
• J.D., University of Maryland School of Law

Research interests center on criminal law, legal ethics, and due process violations in post-conviction proceedings. Her 2014 publication in the University of Baltimore Law Forum critiques CCTV bail reviews, highlighting their impact on fundamental fairness in judicial systems.

Professional engagement includes faculty roles at Gideon's Promise since 2014, where she trains new attorneys in public defense strategies alongside her work with OPD.