Leonard Noisette is the director of the Criminal Justice Fund at the Open Society Foundations, US Programs. In this role, Noisette leads the foundation's efforts to reduce mass incarceration, end harsh punishment, and eliminate racial disparities and secure a fair and equitable system of justice.
Prior to joining Open Society Foundations, he was the long-time executive director of the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, an innovative public defender office renowned for its development of community-based, holistic defense practices.
From 1999-2001, Noisette was a member of the Executive Session on Public Defense, sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. As a practicing public defender in New York City, Noisette represented clients at both trial and appellate level. He is an adjunct professor at Fordham University Law School and an active member of a number bar associations.
Prior to joining Open Society Foundations, he was the long-time executive director of the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, an innovative public defender office renowned for its development of community-based, holistic defense practices.
From 1999-2001, Noisette was a member of the Executive Session on Public Defense, sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. As a practicing public defender in New York City, Noisette represented clients at both trial and appellate level. He is an adjunct professor at Fordham University Law School and an active member of a number bar associations.