Michele Anderson '90

Michele Anderson is a seasoned prosecutor with a distinguished career in public service and a lifelong commitment to justice and community advocacy. Born into a large military family, her upbringing was marked by extensive travel, which afforded her a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and the ability to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

For over 30 years, Professor Anderson served as a Deputy City Attorney with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. For over 15 years, she worked as a special prosecutor, managing a broad spectrum of complex cases including real estate mortgage fraud, child pornography, wage and hour violations, domestic violence, identity theft, manslaughter, driving under the influence, and occupational health and safety violations. She is a certified Drug Recognition Expert and instructor. She has also served as a temporary judge.

Professor Anderson is a passionate advocate for civic engagement and the legislative process. She is a lifetime member and board member of the John M. Langston Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers of Los Angeles, Inc. (BWL), and the California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL). She currently serves on the Executive Board of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Board of Trustees and is a past Chair of its Criminal Justice Section. Additionally, she has held leadership roles as a Master and Program Director of the Criminal Inns of Court, as Chair of LACBA’s Delegation to the Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA), and Chair of the CCBA where she now serves as Immediate Past Chair on the Executive Board.

Professor Anderson is also actively involved in statewide legal organizations. She is a District 7 Governor for the California Women Lawyers Association (CWL) and currently serves on its Executive Board as the incoming President-Elect. She also co-chairs its Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion Committee. CWL is the only statewide bar association for women in California.  Her civic engagement extends beyond the legal profession; she has served as Vice Chair of the Long Beach Civilian Police Oversight Commission and is a member of the Long Beach NAACP.

Her commitment to justice and community empowerment is evident in her work organizing educational events and MCLE-accredited lectures on voter registration, civil and constitutional rights, polling access, and political engagement. She has also led forums addressing issues affecting minorities and underserved communities.

Professor Anderson earned her Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School. She is married and the proud mother of two adult daughters.