Dr. Erica Zunkel

Professor

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Biography

Erica Zunkel is a Clinical Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School, where she directs the Criminal Juvenile Justice Clinic. Her role involves supervising law students representing indigent clients in criminal trial courts and pursuing policy initiatives to effect systemic change. Zunkel's research interests focus on post-conviction remedies for excessive sentences within both federal and state systems, specifically addressing mandatory minimums and sentencing issues. She has been recognized for her contributions to post-conviction work, receiving the 2024 Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In 2022, she was appointed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker as a Commissioner for the Illinois Torture Inquiry Relief Commission, which investigates claims of police torture. Zunkel has extensive experience as a federal public defender in San Diego, California, and has served as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Martha Vázquez in New Mexico. She holds a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a B.A. from Cornell University, graduating summa cum laude in American Studies.

Research Interests

Criminal Law Post-Conviction Remedies Mandatory Minimums Sentencing

Experience

Director, Clinical Experiential Learning

2024-11-01 — Present

University of Chicago Law School • Chicago, IL

Overseeing and managing educational experiences in clinical settings.

Clinical Professor of Law

2023-07-01 — Present

University of Chicago Law School • Chicago, IL

Teaching and supervising clinical law students.

Clinical Professor of Law

2021-07-01 — 2023-07-01

University of Chicago Law School • Chicago, IL

Teaching and supervising the Federal Criminal Justice Clinic.

Associate Director

2016-01-01 — Present

University of Chicago Law School • Chicago, IL

Assisting in the administration and operation of the Clinical Program.

Assistant Clinical Professor of Law

2016-01-01 — 2018-06-01

University of Chicago Law School • Chicago, IL

Contributing to clinical legal education and student mentorship.

Trial Attorney

2005-10-01 — 2012-02-01

Federal Defenders San Diego, Inc. • San Diego, CA

Representing federal defendants in criminal cases.

Judicial Clerk

2004-09-01 — 2005-09-01

Chambers of Honorable Martha Vázquez, U.S. District Court • Santa Fe, NM

Assisting in legal research and writing for the federal court.

Awards

#

Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award

#

CLEA Excellence in Public Interest Case Project

Requirements for University of Chicago Law School

Master Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:104
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
A first degree in law (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from a law school outside the United States
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Two to four letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Resume/CV
  • LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
Specialization Notes

The LLM program is designed for lawyers trained outside the United States to gain an understanding of the American legal system.