Rachel Rossi

Rachel Rossi serves as President of Alliance for Justice (AFJ), where she leads the organization in its bold and unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and defending democracy. Appointed following a nationwide search, Rossi brings a career defined by fearless advocacy, principled leadership, and a deep dedication to civil rights.

A trailblazer in the legal and advocacy communities, Rossi most recently served in the Biden administration’s Justice Department as Director of the Office for Access to Justice, where she led national efforts to expand access to legal representation for underserved communities. Prior to that, she was Deputy Associate Attorney General, where she also served as the Department’s first Anti-Hate Coordinator under Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

Rossi’s legal career began in the courtroom, where she spent nearly a decade as a public defender in Los Angeles County and in federal court, defending thousands of low-income clients and standing on the front lines of the fight for justice. Her passion for systemic reform led her to Capitol Hill, where she served as Counsel to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Richard J. Durbin and played a key role in advancing the historic First Step Act.

In 2020, Rossi made history as the first former public defender to run for Los Angeles County District Attorney, earning nearly half a million votes and widespread grassroots support for her progressive vision of justice.

Raised in Los Angeles by immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic and Greece, Rossi’s personal story fuels her deep commitment to the communities she serves. She holds a J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Bethany University, also having attended Azusa Pacific University and Vanguard University.

As President of AFJ, Rossi brings a unique blend of legal expertise, legislative strategy, and compassionate leadership — poised to guide the organization into a powerful new chapter at a defining moment for our democracy.