Stephanie L. Willis

Stephanie, a first-generation Haitian American, was born and raised in New York. Stephanie began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she vigorously and successfully tried numerous misdemeanor and felony cases. As a prosecutor, Stephanie witnessed the inherent disparities within the framework of the Louisiana Criminal System. During her term at the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Stephanie advocated for victims of crime while obtaining a better understanding of the resilience and often underrepresented community in New Orleans. 

Stephanie later moved into the private sector specializing in Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation. Stephanie successfully represented the disenfranchised and litigated claims against various governmental entities in both State and Federal Court through the representation of minorities racially profiled and brutalized at the hands of law enforcement. 

As Policy Strategist for the ACLU of Louisiana, Stephanie uses her acquired experience and skills as an advocate for criminal justice reform in conjunction with her relationships with members of the Louisiana legislative body and the community at large, to advance the mission of the ACLU of Louisiana and implement tactical criminal justice reform policies.

Stephanie is a graduate of Southern University Law Center, where she served as a research assistant for Donald F. Tibbs - Assistant Professor of Law and Executive Director of the Institute for Civil Rights and Justice. Stephanie earned a B.A. in Music Business and Entertainment Industries from the University of Miami. Stephanie is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.