Patrice Sulton is a distinguished attorney, educator, and advocate with deep experience advancing racial justice and transforming legal systems. She has been described as the “tip of the spear” for public safety reform, and “one of the most trusted sources of bold ideas about how to change the system.”

Before joining NYU Law, Patrice and her law students founded and led DC Justice Lab, a nonprofit dedicated to driving large-scale changes to the District of Columbia’s approach to public safety. She played a critical role in rewriting D.C.’s Criminal Code and meaningfully contributed to a record number of legislative changes to policing, prosecution, and punishment.

Patrice’s career is marked by her dedication to cultivating community power, mentoring emerging leaders, and advancing policies that make people safer, freer, and more equal.

Patrice has received numerous honors, including the Echoing Green Fellowship, Washington Lawyers’ Committee Alfred McKenzie Award, Greater Washington Urban League Champion of Justice Award, and the National Bar Association’s Lendon J. Alexander Advocacy & Leadership Award. She was also a finalist in the World Justice Challenge in The Hague.