Long-time Asian Law Caucus lawyer Angela Chan joins SF Public Defender’s Office

(SAN FRANCISCO) Angela Chan, a long time civil rights lawyer serving at the Asian Law Caucus, has joined the San Francisco Public Defender's Office as a member of its leadership team.

Public Defender Mano Raju announced on February 22 that he has hired Chan as the Chief of Confront and Advocate Unit in his office to lead and support the agency-wide strategy of confronting state-sponsored violence and advocating for community.

“She brings with her strong and deep connections to the Chinese American and other immigrant communities through her many years of dedication at Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, and importantly, she shares our commitment to challenging systemic inequality and injustice,” said Raju.

Chan has been one of the most well known leaders representing the Asian Law Caucus for over a decade. She began at the Asian Law Caucus as a Soros Justice Fellow in 2006 focusing on the immigrant youth in the juvenile system.

In later years, Chan has developed campaigns on Sanctuary policies fighting to protect immigrants from being turned over to ICE by local law enforcement.

Chan was born in Portland, Oregon, where her immigrant parents from Guangdong, China, ran a Chinese restaurant for over 25 years. She is a graduate of Occidental College and Harvard University Law School. She was also appointed by the Board of Supervisors serving as a Police Commissioner in San Francisco from 2010 to 2014.

“I am inspired by SF Public Defender’s innovative community-centered programs that provide vital services to our communities, including record clearing, immigration defense, and youth programs. And I’m looking forward to drawing from their experiences serving community members impacted by the criminal system to advance policy reforms that move us towards a more just and equitable society,” said Chan.