Arielle Sharma joined the Lawyers for Civil Rights team of legal first responders to provide support to people of color surrounding issues of police misconduct, particularly in Central and Western Massachusetts. LCR founded the position directly in response to George Floyd’s murder. Sharma’s legal practice deepens and expands LCR’s expertise and commitment to tackling systemic issues surrounding police misconduct and accountability. She also focuses on diversifying public safety agencies and supporting survivors of hate crimes as they interface with law enforcement officials.
“Given Arielle’s deep commitment to underrepresented communities of color in Worcester and her vigor for challenging the status quo, she is precisely the right addition to LCR’s creative, bold, and courageous legal team,” said Sophia Hall, supervising attorney at LCR.
Prior to joining LCR, Arielle served as a public defender in Worcester County, Massachusetts. There, she became an experienced litigator while representing low-income individuals in the criminal legal system. She has litigated countless cases on constitutional and other grounds, taking many of those cases successfully through trial.
“As a first generation American of color, I was taught that America is the land of equal opportunity and justice,” Sharma said. “And yet, I regularly witnessed our law enforcement agencies and criminal justice systems fall short. I look forward to developing inimitable litigation bringing forth justice for people of color and marginalized communities.”
Arielle co-chairs the Worcester Bar Association’s newly formed Subcommittee on Anti-Racism and Equality. She also volunteers as a Legal Observer with the Connecticut National Lawyers Guild. Arielle graduated magna cum laude from Boston University, and with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is a member of the bars of New York and Massachusetts.
