Subodh Chandra

PRO

Subodh Chandra

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 29 years

Civil rights Lawyer at Cleveland, OH
Practice Areas: Civil Rights, Constitutional, Employment & Labor, Criminal Defense

1265 West 6th Street, Suite 400, Cleveland, OH

Virtual Consultation Available

About Subodh

Biography

Former federal prosecutor, law director for a major American city, and large-firm trial lawyer.

A civil-rights champion: First Amendment, police misconduct, voting rights, and other matters.

Subodh Chandra has fought successfully to preserve constitutional rights, including First Amendment free-speech rights and equal protection.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Civil Rights 25%

Both plaintiff's and defense work in employment discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowers, First Amendment, constitutional claims, voting rights, Section 1983, police misconduct, False Claims Act, etc.

29 years | 200 cases

25%
Constitutional 25%

Free speech, freedom of religion, unreasonable search and seizures and use of excessive force under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, takings, etc.

31 years | 100 cases

25%
Criminal Defense 25%

25%
Employment and Labor 25%

Litigation race discrimination, sex discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and whistleblower cases for victims

30 years

25%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2017 2015

Licenses

Licensed in Ohio for 28 years

State: Ohio

Acquired: 1998

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 29 years

State: California

Acquired: 1997

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in New Mexico

State: New Mexico

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

The Chandra Law Firm, LLC

1265 West 6th Street, Suite 400, Cleveland, OH, 44113

chandralaw.com/contact

The Chandra Law Firm LLC

1350 Columbia Street Suite 600, San Diego, CA, 92101

chandralaw.com/contact

The Chandra Law Firm LLC

275 Hill Street Suite 248, Reno, NV, 89501

chandralaw.com/contact

The Chandra Law Firm LLC

2006 Kala Bagai Way, Suite 14, Berkeley, CA, 94704

chandralaw.com/contact

The Chandra Law Firm LLC

The Coronado Building 141 E Palace Avenue, Suite 220, Santa Fe, NM, 87501

chandralaw.com/contact

Online Presence

Other places you can find Subodh online.

Subodh Chandra's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

33 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Trustworthiness

Posted by Molly | August 03, 2026

Exceptional.

I had an extremely positive experience with Subodh Chandra over the course of several conversations across three years. He initially reviewed my case and was interested in assisting, but changes in one of his existing cases ultimately prevented him from taking it. Even so, he remained generous with h...is time and attention and did not forget the underlying facts of the case. Before the appellate phase, Subodh and his colleague reviewed the situation again and gave me candid, clear guidance. His assessment was not unexpected but it was disappointing to hear, particularly because it reflected the consequences of serious failures by a previous attorney, but he did not offer false reassurance or tell me what I wanted to hear. He was realistic about the limits of the law, the and the state of the case while remaining attentive to the underlying harm I experienced and the importance of justice. We later spoke a third time, and Subodh went beyond simply offering advice. He reached out to members of his professional network in an effort to help me find assistance better aligned with my particular legal needs. Again, he expressed both compassion and a hope that I might see some measure of justice. Throughout these interactions, he listened carefully, understood the complexity of the case, and treated me with respect and compassion. He is exceptionally smart, principled, and humane. His combination of legal realism, intellectual clarity, and a keen sense of justice is rare. I am deeply grateful for his time, honesty, and integrity.

Posted by Stephanie | July 10, 2020 | Hired Attorney

outstanding attorney

Subodh represented me in a case that was very important iii my career as well as for my family's well-being. He has the utmost integrity, is thorough in his research, and extremely trustworthy. I would hire him again without thought and feel grateful to have had the experience. It's good to know I... have an amazing lawyer that I can call upon if needed in the future.

Posted by anonymous | June 29, 2017 | Hired Attorney

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...y step of the way. During this process, I was in college and working two full time jobs. This was a very troubling experience and my confidence was shook, as well as my self-esteem. I wanted to drop out and never come back many times during the trial. Subodh ensured me things were getting better and to hang in there until justice was served. He was very trustworthy and won my case. I am forever grateful to him and his team for this victory and getting my life back on track. I recommend him to anyone who wants justice served. Thanks Subodh and The Chandra Law Firm LLC for everything! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!! Raymisha R. Williams (Cleveland, Ohio)

Posted by LaMont | March 25, 2015

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 ...it. I told the mayor why I could not do that and the mayor's response was "if you don't fire those officers, I will fire you". After that conversation, one of the many things the mayor did was to change the locks to my office on three separate occations along with prohibiting me from using a police vehicle. I explained this to Subodh who listened to me and then immediately wanted to talk with me and my wife together. He explained to the both of us what can happen and what we needed to be prepared for if this case goes forward. After assuring him we were ready to see this to the end, he guaranteed me and my wife, he would do everything in his power to make sure the jury would have all the facts necessary to make the best decision possible. Subodh kept in constant contact with us throughout all proceeding. We never felt left out, confused or abandoned. During the trial, Subodh was able to convay to the jury why I became a police officer, how difficult the job is and how I couldn't let the mayor and village smear the name my father gave me. I could go on and on but I'll end by saying if I would ever need Subodh's services in the future, I will not hesitate to call him. I've already recommended several of my friends in the law enforcement profession to Subodh and they told me, they seen him when they attended my trial to give me their support. The said they liked the way Subodh approched my case and he will be the first person they will call when they need legal council and service. That says a lot in my line of work. Oh yeah, Subodh won our case!

Posted by anonymous | March 19, 2015

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...s get a reputation for being underhandedly calculated and inattentive, but Subodh can never be those things. He speaks with passion and with dedication to the client. His established experience allowed him to be strategic with the twists and turns of my case. He helped me receive a fair and beneficial result. He was generous with his time and offered assistance in other aspects of my case and final settlement through his extended professional network. Subodh, provided me with the best and most professional service I could ask for and I'm glad to have him as a close contact. I recommend Subodh to many of my personal networks for his fervent dedication to the Client and the Law.

See All Client Reviews

Subodh Chandra's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Subodh
Daniel Richard Karon headshot
Daniel Karon

Civil rights lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Friend

"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."

Ronald Ira Frederick headshot
Ronald Frederick

Unknown lawyer | Nov 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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.""

View All Endorsements
Ronald Joseph O'Leary headshot
Ronald O'Leary

Unknown lawyer

Brian D. Bardwell headshot
Brian Bardwell

Civil rights lawyer

Patrick Stephen Kabat headshot
Patrick Kabat

Civil rights lawyer

Ashlie Case Sletvold headshot
Ashlie Sletvold

Civil rights lawyer

Alphonse Adam Gerhardstein headshot
Alphonse Gerhardstein

Civil rights lawyer

Daniel Richard Karon headshot
Daniel Karon

Class action lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

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

Work Experience

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

Associations

2013 - Present

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Ohio Special Advisory Committee

Member

2012 - Present

Ohio Employment Lawyers Association

Member

2012 - Present

Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association

Member

2006 - Present

Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals Judicial Conference

Life Member

2006 - Present

International Network of Boutique Law Firms

President, Ohio Chapter

1999 - Present

Ohio State Bar Association

Member

2011 - 2011

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Chair, Judicial Selection Committee

2010 - 2011

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Vice Chair, Judicial Selection Committee

2006 - 2007

Cuyahoga County Bar Association

Vice Chair, Judicial Selection Committee

2005 - 2008

Cleveland Bar Association

Former Board of Trustees

2005 - 2007

Cleveland Bar Association Diversity Action Commitee

Co-Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Ku v. Mitchell, et al.

Confidential resolution; Professor Ku named new center director

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

Yale University

Law

1989

Stanford University

A.B. with honors and dual departmental distinction

Speaking Engagements

2014

2014

NAPABA Central Regional Conference

Will my vote count? Voting-rights issues in Ohio and beyond

2013

Inn of Court

Inside View on Effectively Communicating Employment Issues with In-House Counsel

2013

Annual Meeting

Employment Law 2013

2010

8th Annual Trial Advocacy Institute

Trial Professionalism

2005

Professionalism Seminar

Professionalism and Game Theory

2005

Annual Trial Advocacy Institute

Trial Ethics

2004

Annual Conference

Appellate Oral Argument Showcase

2003

Spring Municipal Criminal Law

Criminal Law

2000

Office Of Inspector General: Criminal Healthcare Fraud

Office Of Inspector General: Criminal Healthcare Fraud Prosecutions

Publications

2005

Cleveland Bar Journal The Reform Experience of the Cleveland Department of Law

Languages

Hindi

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution