CCJ Directory

Christine Leonard has decades of experience working in all three branches of the federal government – in addition to corporate and nonprofit experience. From her past roles in Congress, the White House and the Judiciary branch, she has a solid record of bipartisan accomplishments. In every endeavor, she works to bring people together to find common ground and prioritizes pragmatic results over partisanship.

An attorney, she is an expert in legislative policy and analysis. Admitted to practice law in Maryland and Massachusetts, she is currently working on major litigation projects with FTI Consulting.

Most recently, Christine was the Director for Legislative & Public Affairs at the Architect of the Capitol. Prior to this role, she served as a Majority Counsel to the Subcommittee on Crime, Homeland Security and Terrorism for the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives. Previously, she was the director of the Office of Legislative Affairs for the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

In 2015, she spearheaded the launch of the Coalition for Public Safety, an unprecedented alliance of progressive and conservative funders and national organizations working together on justice reform. Prior to that role, Christine led the D.C. office of the Vera Institute for Justice. During the Obama Administration, she directed the Legislative Affairs Office for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. In each of these roles, Christine brought an experienced perspective from Capitol Hill to achieve bipartisan reform.

Christine served as senior counsel to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) on the Senate Judiciary Committee. She also staffed Congressman William D. Delahunt (D-MA) in his role on the House Judiciary Committee. Earlier in her career, she served on the staff of Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA).

After law school, Christine worked at Holland & Knight in Boston where she represented individual and corporate clients.