We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
A former federal prosecutor, large-city law director, and large-firm litigator, Subodh Chandra is The Chandra Law Firm LLC's founding and managing partner. His practice focuses on high-profile civil-rights litigation, along with white-collar-criminal defense and internal investigations.
Chandra is engaged for high-stakes litigation when reputations are on the line. His matters often have a public-interest, crisis-communications, and public-policy dimension.
Examples include
Before founding the firm, Chandra served as director of law for the city of Cleveland, a billion-dollar corporation. Chandra led the work of an 82-lawyer department with both criminal and civil divisions. He also sometimes served as Cleveland's acting mayor.
As Cleveland's general counsel, Chandra handled legal work in-house and slashed by nearly 90% spending on outside counsel, saving millions; moved vigorously through in-house investigations to clean up internal corruption; restored the department's reputation; and attracted top performers who helped make it Ohio's most diverse law firm. And his tough-minded, preventive approach reduced Cleveland's liability exposure and payments significantly.
Previously, as federal prosecutor, Chandra successfully prosecuted healthcare fraud and corruption—winning a commendation from FBI director Robert Mueller for "demonstrated excellence" as well as from the special agent in charge of the FBI's Cleveland office. Chandra also prosecuted tax fraud, bank fraud, and other economic crimes.
Before that, Chandra served as a litigator in large law firms in both Cleveland and Los Angeles. Chandra defended the cities of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills against high-profile allegations of police misconduct, and represented large media companies and motion-picture studios. Some of his more memorable work included helping defend the television show "Hard Copy" against libel charges by the singer Michael Jackson.
Chandra began his legal career as special presidential counsel at the American Bar Association.
Chandra is a graduate of the Yale Law School, where he was executive editor of the Yale Law & Policy Review. He also graduated with honors and dual-departmental distinction from Stanford University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa his junior year, and which awarded him the John Gardner Fellowship to work as a protégé of Ohio Governor Richard F. Celeste.
Chandra has served as Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, teaching appellate practice and legal ethics. He has also served as a legal-ethics and attorneys' fees expert in litigation.
Long active in assisting people who aspire to public service, Chandra was also a 2006 candidate for Ohio Attorney General, winning most newspaper endorsements. The Cincinnati Enquirer called Chandra "the best candidate Ohio Democrats have produced in years." Chandra was also one of the earliest supporters of President Barack H. Obama, serving on his National Finance Committee, on the national Asian-American advisory committee, and as an Obama delegate to and deputy whip of the Ohio delegation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Civically active, Chandra in 2021 was the principal author—on behalf of police-misconduct victims' families—of the city of Cleveland charter amendment that effects greater civilian disciplinary and policy oversight over Cleveland police, and requires that a civilian oversight body maintain Brady evidence records of police officers who have been dishonest. Voters adopted the reform initiative, a model for the nation, overwhelmingly.
Chandra is a longtime member, and serves as co-vice chair, of the Special Ohio Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Chandra is admitted to practice law in California, Ohio, and New Mexico (inactive), and in federal courts around the country.
Based on the review of his peers, Chandra has been included in Best Lawyers® in America for civil rights and Super Lawyers®. He's been included in America's Top 50 Lawyers. Under his leadership, Chandra Law has been peer-review included in U.S. News and World Reports's Best Law Firms in America for Civil Rights. And he was named 2022 Lawyer of the Year in Civil Rights by Best Lawyers® in America.
Chandra's legal work is featured in the documentaries Free for All! (2008), PAY 2 PLAY: Democracy's High Stakes (2014), and 137 Shots (Netflix 2021).
Chandra and his wife are the proud parents of triplet sons.
5
Practice Areas
29 years | 200 cases
31 years | 100 cases
31 years | 200 cases
31 years | 100 cases
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withState: Ohio
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
State: New Mexico
No misconduct found
1265 W. 6th St, Suite 400, Cleveland, OH, 44113
1350 Columbia St Suite 600, San Diego, CA, 92101
341 South 3rd St Suite 100-518, Columbus, OH, 43215
275 Hill St Suite 248, Reno, NV, 89501
2006 Kala Bagai Way, Suite 14, Berkeley, CA, 94704
31 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | June 29, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Discrimination
Amazing law experience
I was introduced to the law firm when I encountered an issue at “The Boneyard Grille” I was simply discriminated against due to my race and gender. Subodh was very honest and firm with me regarding the next steps in the process. He ensured I was confident and ready for trial, he kept me informed ever...
Posted by anonymous | March 14, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
a lawyer's lawyer
As a trial lawyer how owns a practice out of state, I know not to act as my own attorney. When I needed to engage in a civil action in another state, going against a well-resourced opponent and a large firm, I chose The Chandra Law Firm. The eponymous Subodh Chandra and his partner, Ashlie Case Slet...
Posted by Jeanne | June 11, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Absolutely excellent representation
I looked long and hard for a good lawyer for my case, having had two previous lawyers who had clearly been living on old reputations as they were lackluster in their representation of my case. I interviewed a number of attorneys and chose the Chandra Law Firm in part because of the time Subodh and ...
Posted by LaMont | March 25, 2015 | Wrongful Termination
Simply The Best
Words cannot express the respect, honesty and professionalism Mr. Subodh showed me and my family during a difficult time in my law enforcement career. I called on Subodh when the mayor had retaliated against me for refusing to terminate two officers at my department. As Chief of Police I couldn't do ...
Posted by anonymous | March 19, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes
A Compassionate, Dedicated, and Attentive Professional
Subodh took the time to listen to my story. As much as I showed excessive emotion, he stayed calm and cool while compassionate to the situation. He explained how the law applied to the situation and offered his evaluation in a balanced way while holding my interests at the highest priority. Lawyer...
"I know of few lawyers, if any, in Cleveland or elsewhere who I would more strongly endorse than Subodh. In addition to doing superlative legal work, Subodh is honest, committed, and ethical. Indeed, I wouldn't hesitate to hire him myself."
"Subodh is a lawyer's lawyer. He is brilliant, ethical an extremely hard worker and effective in his representation of his clients. He has the intellectual capacity to take on the most complex cases, yet is practical so that he never looses sight of what is necessary to bring a case to conclusion. He is a tireless worker who stands up for what is right. In sum, he is a great lawyer who just plain "gets it.""
Unknown lawyer
Civil rights lawyer
Civil rights lawyer
Civil rights lawyer
Civil rights lawyer
Class action lawyer
2020
Best Brief Award, Private Sector Category, Ohio State Bar Association
2011
Advocate of the Year, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
2009
Best Progressive Crusader, Cleveland Scene Magazine
2003
40 under 40, Crain's Cleveland Business
2002
Recognition for healthcare prosecutions, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller
2002
Creating a Voice Award, Project Impact
1995
Outstanding Lawyer Award, New Mexico Bar Association
1989
John Garder Public Service Fellowship, Stanford University's Haas Center for Public Service
2005 - Present
Managing Partner, The Chandra Law Firm, LLC
2005 - 2005
Distinguished Practitioner in Residence & Adjunct Prof. of Law, Case Western Reserve School Of Law
2002 - 2005
Director of Law and Prosecuting Attorney, The City of Cleveland
1999 - 2002
Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice
1997 - 1999
Litigator, Thompson Hine & Flory
1996 - 1997
Litigator, Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro
1994 - 1995
Special Presidential Counsel, American Bar Association
2013 - Present
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Ohio Special Advisory CommitteeMember
2012 - Present
Ohio Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Cleveland Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals Judicial ConferenceLife Member
2006 - Present
International Network of Boutique Law FirmsPresident, Ohio Chapter
1999 - Present
Ohio State Bar AssociationMember
2011 - 2011
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar AssociationChair, Judicial Selection Committee
2010 - 2011
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar AssociationVice Chair, Judicial Selection Committee
2006 - 2007
Cuyahoga County Bar AssociationVice Chair, Judicial Selection Committee
2005 - 2008
Cleveland Bar AssociationFormer Board of Trustees
2005 - 2007
Cleveland Bar Association Diversity Action CommiteeCo-Chair
Confidential resolution; Professor Ku named new center director
1994
Law
1989
A.B. with honors and dual departmental distinction
2014
2014
Will my vote count? Voting-rights issues in Ohio and beyond
2013
Inside View on Effectively Communicating Employment Issues with In-House Counsel
2013
Employment Law 2013
2012
2010
Trial Professionalism
2005
Professionalism and Game Theory
2005
Trial Ethics
2004
Appellate Oral Argument Showcase
2003
Criminal Law
2000
Office Of Inspector General: Criminal Healthcare Fraud Prosecutions
2013
2005
Hindi
English
Legal Answers