Kenneth Chike Odiwe

Kenneth C. Odiwe is a prominent and nationally recognized civil rights and personal injury attorney and the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Kenneth C. Odiwe, PC. His practice focuses on representing individuals and families in significant cases involving police misconduct, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and violations of constitutional rights.

Born in the Bay Area and raised in Vallejo, California, Mr. Odiwe developed an early commitment to civil rights after witnessing the impact of police misconduct on individuals, families, and communities. During his first year of law school, he began working on police misconduct cases at the nationally renowned Law Offices of John L. Burris. That experience helped establish the foundation for a career devoted to representing people against government entities, law enforcement agencies, corporations, and other powerful institutions.

Mr. Odiwe has extensive experience litigating complex and high profile civil rights cases. His practice includes police brutality, excessive force, officer involved shootings, police K9 attacks, custodial deaths, restraint and positional asphyxia, Tasers, chokeholds, baton strikes, beanbag and 40mm projectiles, unlawful detention, false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, wrongful conviction, sexual abuse by law enforcement, and other serious uses of force.

He also represents clients in cases involving denial of medical care, wrongful death, survival actions, interference with familial relationships, negligence, emotional distress, premises liability, and catastrophic personal injury. His constitutional practice includes claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as claims under California's Bane Act, Ralph Act, and Unruh Civil Rights Act.

Mr. Odiwe's work has earned significant recognition within the legal profession. The Daily Journal selected him as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California, placing him among a select group of attorneys recognized statewide for the significance and impact of their legal work. He has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Northern California Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, National Trial Lawyers, and National Black Lawyers and holds Martindale Hubbell's highest peer review rating. He is a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Odiwe is a regular Daily Journal columnist who writes about civil rights, constitutional law, police accountability, and developments affecting the legal profession. He also serves in leadership roles within the American Bar Association.

Mr. Odiwe is the founder of the Rising Voices and Equity and Advocacy Initiative, an organization dedicated to expanding advocacy, opportunity, and meaningful participation for communities and voices that have historically been underrepresented.

Through his litigation, writing, leadership, and advocacy, Mr. Odiwe has established a practice centered on holding powerful institutions accountable and pursuing meaningful results for individuals and families whose civil and constitutional rights have been violated.