Emily N. Cassometus is an Assistant Professor of Law and Director of the Legislation Clinic at the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law. Professor Cassometus is a legislative and movement lawyer whose work is grounded in principles of abolition, harm reduction, disability justice, critical race theory, and intersectional feminism.

Prior to joining UDC’s faculty, Professor Cassometus was Senior Counsel to D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), advising her on legislative and policy matters. Before government service, she was Director of Government and External Affairs at DC Justice Lab where she developed and led several successful legislative campaigns.

Professor Cassometus also served as Deputy Director of the Council for Court Excellence, managing a team of policy lawyers to address the most pressing issues in D.C.’s legal system. In this role, she facilitated the District Task Force on Jails & Justice, which issued sweeping recommendations to transform D.C’s justice system. In her first role as a lawyer, Professor Cassometus was the Criminal and Disability Rights Fellow for the D.C. Jail and Prison Advocacy Project at Disability Rights D.C., a program of University Legal Services.

Professor Cassometus earned a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in Sociology from Temple University.