Kaylan Schardan

Kaylan Schardan serves as an Adjunct Instructor and Staff Attorney at the University of Illinois Springfield within the Illinois Innocence Project Legal Studies department. Her office is located at One University Plaza, and she specializes in case intake for wrongful conviction cases.

Her professional focus centers on criminal justice reform, with specific expertise in innocence work and post-conviction litigation. Through the Illinois Innocence Project, she investigates claims of wrongful convictions, provides legal representation, and contributes to systemic reforms in the criminal justice system. Her work bridges academic legal education with direct client advocacy.

As a key member of the Illinois Innocence Project team, she participates in case screening, evidence review, and court proceedings for exonerees. Her role integrates practical legal work with instructional responsibilities, emphasizing real-world applications of criminal law and ethics.