Chiraag Bains Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Washington, Dc

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Advised President Joe Biden and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice on domestic priorities. Regularly led decision-making meetings of agency Deputy Secretaries over policy options. Managed a team of experts to develop and implement executive orders, legislation, regulatory priorities, budget proposals, new grant programs, and presidential events. Anticipated and navigated legal and political risk, working closely with the White House Counsel’s Office and the communications, legislative affairs, and intergovernmental affairs teams. Areas of focus included: democracy and voting rights, criminal justice, the racial wealth gap, artificial intelligence, LGBTQI+ equality, disability rights, Native affairs, effective distribution of new federal funding streams, and diversity and inclusion.

Washington, Dc

Washington, Dc

Managed team of litigators and support staff pursuing voting rights lawsuits and appeals as well as legislation across the country. Led legal team hiring, budgeting, fundraising, and work planning. Won court judgments and settlements to stop illegal voter purges in TX, IN, and OH and to require voter registration services in MO and SD under the National Voter Registration Act. Launched a national Voter Purge Table to coordinate efforts with other nonprofit organizations. Won injunction requiring Florida to provide ballot materials in Spanish under the Voting Rights Act. Represented voters seeking emergency accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic in FL and MO, eligible pretrial detainees denied the vote in OH and CA, and voters facing intimidation in NY. Testified before the U.S. Committee on House Administration and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Regularly wrote op-eds and commented on civil rights, money in politics, and economic inequality.

With Rep. Bobby Scott (VA), led current and former senior government leaders in negotiations over the DNC’s 2020 criminal justice platform and additional policy recommendations to nominee Joe Biden.

Cambridge, Ma

Washington, Dc

Washington, Dc

Supervised matters from four litigating sections, concerning fair housing and fair lending, voting rights, unconstitutional policing, prison and jail conditions, and appeals. Investigated and sued Ferguson, Missouri, for unconstitutional police and court practices. Co-wrote the groundbreaking findings letter (The Ferguson Report), filed suit, and negotiated a consent decree. Launched DOJ-wide initiative on unlawful fines and fees. Led collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and Bureau of Prisons on a landmark report to President Obama recommending reducing the use of solitary confinement. Oversaw legal strategy to contest unlawful bail systems and the criminalization of homelessness. Managed creation of the new portal vote.gov. Managed congressional oversight—preparing Assistant Attorney General for two oversight hearings, instituting a new system to ensure timely responses to congressional inquiries, and providing technical assistance to the Hill on proposed legislation. Regularly coordinated with DOJ leadership offices, as well as the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of Legal Counsel, the Civil Division, and enforcement offices in other agencies.

Washington, Dc

Prosecuted assaults, thefts, and sexual assaults by police and correctional officers under color of law; cross-burnings and other violent hate crimes; interference with access to reproductive health facilities; and human trafficking in federal district courts in AL, AR, CA, and FL. Worked closely with FBI, DHS, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Conducted extensive grand jury investigation; tried two cases to jury verdict; and presented evidence and arguments at motions, sentencing, and post-conviction hearings. Conducted legal trainings on civil rights investigations, including at the National Advocacy Center.

Washington, Dc

Cleveland, Oh

Boston, Ma

Washington, Dc

Washington, Dc

Atlanta, Ga

New York, Ny

New York, Ny

J.D.

Articles Editor, Harvard Law Review. Finalist, Ames Moot Court Competition. Editor, Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review..

M.Phil., Criminology

Gates Cambridge Scholar.

B.A., History And Ethnicity, Race & Migration

Truman Scholar. Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude. Co-Chair, Asian American Students Alliance. Editor-in-Chief, Yale Journal of Human.