Our Staff

Leena (she/her) is a legal advocate, consultant, professor, and community weaver.

Leena co-leads people-centered transformative justice organizations with the belief that creating sustainable and alternative systems to punishment, domination, consumption, and control, is as important as dismantling these harmful systems and structures. Leena advises, invests in, and sits on the boards of groups working on transformative justice “glocally.” In her spare time, she is committed to a practice of unearthing and preserving the embodied cultural wisdom to honor our elders and ancestors and carry on that wisdom generation after generation.

Leena holds a B.A. from Carleton College and JD from Northeastern University School of Law. She is an alumna of the Center for Constitutional Rights Movement Lawyering Fellows and co-founder of Reed Smith LLC’s Pro Bono Detained Refugee Protection Project. She hails from Chicago’s southwest side.

Contact: leena [at] first-defense.org

Nadia
*Director, Community & Legal Education*

Nadia (she/her) currently serves as the Director of FDLA's Education Programs.

With roots in Reproductive Justice and Abolitionist organizing, Nadia is passionate about further fostering community education and advocacy skills while centering Black and Queer voices and experiences.

When she's off the clock, Nadia enjoys reading, playing team sports, spending time with loved ones (including her dog), and brushing up on her American Sign Language.

Nadia graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2021, and is admitted to the Illinois Bar and the General Bar of the Northern District of Illinois.

Nadia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology from Texas A&M University.

Contact: nadia [at] first-defense.org

Daniel
Director, Civil Rights Clinic

Daniel (he/him) is the Director of FDLA’s Civil Rights Clinic. He graduated from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2014 and was sworn in to the Illinois Bar the same year. Daniel was introduced to social movements by Occupy Chicago and likes dogs, punk rock, and Liverpool Football Club.

Since founding FDLA’s Clinic, Daniel has helped lead suits in state and federal court on Freedom of Information Act and constitutional litigation, with an overarching focus on redressing and preventing violations of civil and human rights by police. FDLA's clinic has obtained significant victories for our clients, including a historic consent decree with the City of Chicago aimed at ending incommunicado detention in the city. Daniel was co-lead counsel on Gutierrez v. Aurora, where a jury returned a Plaintiff’s verdict of more than $1 million dollars.

Prior to his time at FDLA, Daniel worked as a civil litigator through his own law practice and as Of Counsel to other Chicago firms. He is a member of the General Bar and Trial Bar of the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is also admitted to practice before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Contact: daniel [at] first-defense.org

Ray
Know Your Rights Program Manager

Ray (he/him) is a member of the Alumni Association of Cook County Jail, and advocate for the formerly incarcerated and addicted.

Ray has held numerous outreach and policy advocacy roles where he helps bring the voices of those impacted to the table with professionals in the system to address human rights issues in the jail and community.

Ray is an engaging facilitator committed to preventing unnecessary incarceration.

Contact: ray [at] first-defense.org

Andrew
*Community & Legal Education Program Manager*

Andrew (he/him) has a background in political science, film, and youth development. His work centers on engaging communities throughout the city, promoting alternatives to policing, and highlighting entry points for young people to engage in civic processes. Andrew aims to connect media and storytelling to amplify community education efforts throughout Chicago.

Outside of work, Andrew enjoys cooking meals for friends and family, listening to music, and rewatching The Iron Giant.

A Georgia native, Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rutgers University.

Contact: andrew [at] first-defense.org

David (he/him) is a call center responder at FDLA, who has continuously connected and educated community members to legal resources offered through FDLA.

David has over 20 years of experience working as an outreach worker, mentor, case manager, and now the Victim Services Coordinator at New Life Centers. David has a long history, working with Central States SER, Enlace Chicago, and New Life Centers, who provide employment, education, mentorship, and other restorative justice services. He has founded the Little Village and Brighton Park Gang Tattoo Removal program which has helped hundreds of people.

David currently leads a small group which reaches out to the community and walks with people through their transition of change.

Contact: david [at] first-defense.org

Hannah
Civil Rights Attorney

Hannah (she/her) is passionate about using a movement lawyering approach to build collective power and create social change. Before joining FDLA, she worked as a staff attorney at Chicago House where she represented transgender and gender expansive clients in a range of civil matters, including name changes and criminal records relief.

She received a B.A. in Sociology and Hispanic Studies from Brandeis University and J.D. and M.S.W. degrees from the University of North Carolina.

In her free time, she enjoys working on art projects, watching basketball, and learning about Chicago's history.

Contact: hannah [at] first-defense.org

Amira (she/her) brings in years of experience in managing data, supporting staff and streamlining operations to ensure that the team is running smoothly. She has a talent for finding creative ways to keep things organized and a keen eye for detail. She has a proven track record of building strong relationships with clients and colleagues. She is dedicated to ensuring that those around her receive the support and guidance they need to achieve their goals.

Amira’s career first started in Early Childhood Education where she spent five years as a Teacher’s Assistant. There she learned a lot about being adaptable, patient, and how to understand things from unique perspectives.

Being part of FDLA has given her the opportunity to learn more about the importance of productive legal systems, and finding ways to better protect ourselves and others in unpredictable circumstances. As a Chicago native herself, she is grateful to be a part of the work that FDLA does to support the city, and she is excited to contribute to the success of the team.

Contact: amira [at] first-defense.org

Ben (they/he) is a life-long Chicagoan, and is committed to the city’s community. They are grounded in a practice of abolition, organizing, and growing community to build a future that exists without the carceral system. His prior legal work has centered around representing community members and organizations in their attempt to hold the City’s police accountable and keep themselves safe from State violence.

When not at a concert or the farmer’s market, or researching American Legal History, they are a volunteer driver, delivering groceries to families around the South and West side.

Ben has a B.A. from Swarthmore college, an M.A from the University of Chicago and most recently graduated from The University of Chicago Law School in 2024.

Contact: benjamin [at] first-defense.org