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Michelle Mbekeani
Forbes 30 under 30 - Senior Legal & Policy Advisor - Criminal Justice Reform Advocate - Attorney - Forbes Contributor
Michelle Mbekeani is a prominent figure in the field of criminal justice reform and policy. She currently serves as the Senior Legal & Policy Advisor for Justice Reform at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.5 Mbekeani has a diverse background in law, policy, and advocacy:
Education and Early Career
- Earned her B.A. from Stony Brook University in German Language and Literature, Political Science, and Middle Eastern Studies1
- Received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was awarded the Tony Patiño Fellowship12
- Worked as a Staff Attorney at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, focusing on police reform, voting rights, and criminal justice reform1
Notable Achievements
- Authored "Handcuffs in Hallways," an in-depth analysis of Chicago Public Schools' use of School Resource Officers1
- Co-authored legislation establishing the nation's first polling station inside a county jail1
- Played a key role in passing historic legislation in Illinois to prohibit law enforcement from using deceptive tactics when interrogating minors2
- Named in Forbes Magazine's 30 under 30 for her work in law & policy1
- Received Crain's Chicago Business 20 in their 20's award1
Recent Positions
- Appointed head of the Conviction Review Unit (CRU) in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in December 202334
- Previously served as a Policy Advisor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office since 201814
Entrepreneurial Ventures
- Founder/CEO of Period (Periodsentence.com), a digital platform connecting incarcerated individuals claiming innocence with defense attorneys23
- Won the Rustandy Center Social New Venture Challenge at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for her startup3
Michelle Mbekeani has been recognized for her dedication to criminal justice reform and innovative approaches to addressing systemic issues in the legal system. Her work spans from policy advocacy to entrepreneurial solutions aimed at improving access to justice for incarcerated individuals.
Highlights
Jun 20 · chicagocitywire.com
Controversial head of State's Attorney's post-conviction unit leaving ...

Nov 1 · news.wttw.com
Obtaining Legal Representation While Wrongfully Incarcerated is a ...
Jun 1 · ijjc.illinois.gov
Michelle Mbekeani with Cook County State's Attorney's Office ...



