Subodh Chandra

Subodh Chandra is the founder and managing partner of The Chandra Law Firm LLC, a nationally recognized litigation firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. A former federal prosecutor and law director for the City of Cleveland, Mr. Chandra focuses his practice on high-stakes civil rights litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and internal investigations. His work often intersects with public policy and crisis communications, making him a sought-after advocate in government accountability and constitutional rights cases.

Mr. Chandra earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he served as Executive Editor of the Yale Law & Policy Review. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford University with honors and dual-departmental distinction, receiving the prestigious John Gardner Fellowship to work with Ohio Governor Richard F. Celeste.

Throughout his career, Mr. Chandra has led significant legal battles, including representing the family of Tamir Rice in the police shooting case that became a defining moment in the Black Lives Matter movement, securing a $6 million settlement. He has also fought against voter suppression, defended free speech rights, and led litigation in police misconduct cases, including drafting Cleveland’s landmark civilian oversight reform of police accountability.

As Cleveland’s Director of Law, Mr. Chandra managed an 82-lawyer department, reducing outside counsel costs and leading investigations to eliminate internal corruption. His tenure as a federal prosecutor was marked by successful healthcare fraud and corruption prosecutions, earning commendations from FBI Director Robert Mueller and the Cleveland FBI Office.

Chandra’s litigation experience spans constitutional law, employment law, and business disputes, including multi-million-dollar settlements for wrongfully convicted individuals. His expertise has been featured in legal education seminars and national documentaries such as 137 Shots (Netflix). Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms, he has been named Lawyer of the Year in Civil Rights.

Admitted to practice in Ohio, California, and multiple federal courts, Subodh Chandra champions civil rights and justice, holding institutions accountable and shaping legal precedents nationwide.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder and Managing Partner, The Chandra Law Firm LLC
• Member, Ohio State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, South Asian Bar Association of Ohio
• Member, Asian-American Bar Association of Ohio
• Member, Ohio Employment Lawyers Association
• Member, North American South Asian Bar Association
• Life Member, Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals Judicial Conference

Licensed State

• Ohio
• California

Education

• Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut
  Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• Stanford University with honors, and distinction in two departments
  A.B.

Awards & Badges