Jennifer M. Urban

Jennifer M. Urban is a Clinical Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law, serving as Director of Policy Initiatives at the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic and Co-Director of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology. Her work focuses on information policy, including intellectual property, privacy, security, and how regulatory frameworks interact with technology and civil liberties. She has been appointed Chair of the California Privacy Protection Agency Board by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Education:

• B.A. in Biological Science (Neurobiology and Behavior concentration), Cornell University
• J.D., Berkeley Law (Intellectual Property Certificate)

Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration with technologists and academics to address challenges in AI, cybersecurity, copyright, and surveillance. Recent projects include advocating for individual privacy rights, artists' rights, and open-source licensing. She co-teaches cybersecurity courses with Professor Chris Hoofnagle, exploring ethical, legal, and economic dimensions of security policies.

Awards & Recognition:

• Berkeley Center for Law and Technology Distinguished Alumni Award (2003)

Her clinic represents clients in public interest cases involving information policy. Notable areas include smart grid technology, biometric privacy, and defensive patent licensing. Prior roles include founding the USC Intellectual Property & Technology Law Clinic and serving as the Samuelson Clinic’s first fellow.