Elana Bildner

Elana Bildner is a Visiting Clinical Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School and staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Connecticut. She specializes in advocating for immigrants, formerly incarcerated individuals, and marginalized communities through litigation and policy work.

Education:

• B.A., Yale University, 2006
• J.D., Columbia Law School, 2013

Research & Advocacy Focus: Elana's work centers on ending excessive prison sentences for youth, challenging systemic discrimination against queer/trans individuals in criminal justice systems, and advancing mental health justice. She has pioneered legal strategies to reform parole processes for young adults and combat prison mistreatment through civil rights lawsuits.

Awards:

• Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar (Columbia Law School)
• Executive Editor, Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual

Teaching & Mentorship: At Quinnipiac University School of Law, she guided students in representing clients in parole hearings and civil rights cases. Her current clinics at Yale focus on immigrant rights and youth criminalization.