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Subodh (rhymes with "abode") Chandra (rhymes with "tundra") just completed service as Director of Law of the City of Cleveland, a billion-dollar corporation. Chandra led the work of an 82-lawyer department with both criminal and civil divisions. He also served as acting mayor in the mayor’s absence. As Cleveland’s general counsel, Chandra slashed by nearly 90% spending on outside counsel, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Under Chandra’s leadership, Cleveland handled legal work in-house, and moved vigorously through in-house investigations to clean up corruption, including bribery schemes involving city inspectors and purchasing officials. With a relentless focus on excellence and accountability, Chandra restored the reputation the department, and attracted top performers who helped make it the most diverse law firm of its size or larger in Ohio.
Chandra was hailed for his imaginative handling of Green v. City of Cleveland in way that was both just and spared the city from huge potential liability. In that case, Michael Green was wrongfully convicted of rape in part because of the false testimony of a Cleveland forensic analyst. Green, an African-American, served thirteen years in prison until DNA evidence exonerated him. In an unprecedented move, Chandra agreed to re-examine over 100 similar cases to ensure that no others were wrongfully convicted. In exchange, Green agreed to a modest civil settlement, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
Previously, as federal prosecutor, Chandra successfully fought health-care fraud and corruption—winning recognition from FBI director Robert Mueller. 
Before that, Chandra worked in large firms in both Cleveland and Los Angeles, and served as special presidential counsel at the American Bar Association.
Chandra is a graduate of the Yale Law School, where he was executive editor of the Yale Law & Policy Review. He also graduated with honors and distinction from Stanford University. Stanford awarded him the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship to work with Governor Richard F. Celeste. For Celeste, Chandra created a program training young leaders from newly emerging democracies in Central & Eastern Europe, after the Berlin Wall fell, about the organizing skills required in a democracy.
Chandra is the recipient of numerous awards including Crain's Cleveland Business's "40 under 40" award for outstanding rising leaders. He is also a trustee of the Cleveland Bar Association.
Chandra is married to Meena Morey Chandra, a civil-rights attorney. They have triplet-toddler sons. |
