Michael Parente

Michael Parente serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Post-Conviction Justice Project at USC Gould School of Law, where he teaches post-conviction clinical seminars and Criminal Procedure.

His academic credentials include:

• BS from Cornell University
• LLM in Law and Economics from University of Manchester
• PhD in Economics from George Mason University
• JD from USC Gould School of Law

Parente's work centers on criminal justice reform through direct representation of clients serving life sentences—particularly those convicted as juveniles—and challenging unjust convictions via parole hearings, court litigation, and clemency advocacy. His decade-long experience as a deputy federal public defender representing indigent individuals on California's death row informs his clinical approach to ending mass incarceration and reforming parole systems.

The Post-Conviction Justice Project trains law students as lead counsel in real cases, combining experiential education with legislative advocacy for systemic change in criminal justice.