William C. Snowden 

William C. Snowden is the New Orleans director of the Vera Institute of Justice, heading the institute’s Louisiana work reforming the local criminal legal system. He works with and advises local government on strategies and best practices for our justice system, and partners with community organizations to effectuate change. He was a leader in the Unanimous Jury Coalition’s successful effort to do away with one of the last remaining Jim Crow laws in Louisiana, passing a constitutional amendment requiring unanimous juries. Will founded the Juror Project to educate and empower the community to reform the criminal legal system through jury duty. He visits community organizations, educational institutions, and government partner gatherings to discuss the lack of jury diversity and opportunity for change and provides workshops around the country about implicit bias, racial anxiety, and stereotype threat. Prior to joining Vera, Will was a public defender for five years, representing New Orleanians in all stages of a case from arraignment to trial. Will is a Fellow of the second class of the Civil Society Fellowship, a Partnership of ADL and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.