B.A., Wesleyan University; J.D., American
B.A., Wesleyan; J.D., American. Professor Whitney Louchheim is an attorney licensed to practice in the District of Columbia. As Co-Founder of Open City Advocates, she works daily with youth in DC’s juvenile justice system, both before and after they are released from incarceration, to support their successful reintegration into their families and community. She also represents youth in DC’s juvenile justice system as a public defender. Professor Louchheim earned her Juris Doctor from the American University’s Washington College of Law (WCL) in 2005.
Prior to founding Open City Advocates, she joined Professor Penelope Spain in founding Students United, a student group at WCL that matches law students with incarcerated youth at DC’s secure juvenile facility. Professor Louchheim was a student attorney as part of WCL’s criminal defense clinic and also served as a Marshall-Brennan fellow, teaching constitutional law in a DC public high school. Professor Louchheim served as a student law clerk in the Parole Division of the Public Defender Service for DC and for a magistrate judge in the Child Abuse and Neglect Division of DC Superior Court.
Professor Louchheim’s commitment to community service prompted American University to award her the University Award for Outstanding Service to the University Community, as well as the Pro Bono Community Service Award. In 2011, WCL awarded her with the Peter M. Cicchino Award for Outstanding Advocacy in the Public Interest, and in 2016, honored her with the Equal Justice Foundation Alumni Award. Professor Louchheim is married with two children and lives in Washington, DC.