Chester Eduardo Fernández
Assistant Professor of Law
Chester Eduardo Fernández teaches Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, and a seminar on Sentencing, Prisons and Reentry. Fernández's research and writing focuses on some of the most marginalized communities impacted by the criminal legal system, specifically transgender defendants and formerly incarcerated individuals. Fernández serves as the Director of the law school's Criminal Law and Advocacy Concentration, and as Faculty Adviser to the Muslim Law Student Association.
Prior to joining the Quinnipiac Law faculty, Fernández worked for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) as their Director of Learning and Innovation. His work at NLADA focused on integrating the voice of those impacted by the American legal system, which disparately impacts BIPOC and other marginalized folks, in trainings to legal aid and public defender attorneys. To this end, Fernández is a certified racial justice trainer by the Black Public Defender Association.
Before he worked at the NLADA, Fernández worked as a Public Defender in both Massachusetts (Boston/Springfield/Holyoke) and Connecticut (New Britain). While a Public Defender in Connecticut he worked in the Training Unit where he helped Connecticut public defenders learn best practices in providing passionate client-led representation that respects both the agency and humanity of defendants.
In between working as a Public Defender in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Fernández served as the Courtroom Deputy for former U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant. Fernández loves working with students and has experience doing so as both a law school Career Counselor, as well as a Recruitment Coordinator for the law firm of Robinson & Cole LLP.
Fernández recognizes the importance of mental health, has been in therapy, and is a certified adult mental health first aider.
Fernández received his JD from the University of Colorado School of Law, and both an MS in Criminal Justice and MPA from Suffolk University in Boston while working full time as a Regulatory Specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy. Fernández is licensed to practice in Massachusetts state courts and Connecticut state and federal courts.
The son of immigrants from Costa Rica, Fernández grew up outside of Boston, speaks Spanish, loves 90s hip hop, and is the father of two amazing children.
Prior to joining the Quinnipiac Law faculty, Fernández worked for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) as their Director of Learning and Innovation. His work at NLADA focused on integrating the voice of those impacted by the American legal system, which disparately impacts BIPOC and other marginalized folks, in trainings to legal aid and public defender attorneys. To this end, Fernández is a certified racial justice trainer by the Black Public Defender Association.
Before he worked at the NLADA, Fernández worked as a Public Defender in both Massachusetts (Boston/Springfield/Holyoke) and Connecticut (New Britain). While a Public Defender in Connecticut he worked in the Training Unit where he helped Connecticut public defenders learn best practices in providing passionate client-led representation that respects both the agency and humanity of defendants.
In between working as a Public Defender in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Fernández served as the Courtroom Deputy for former U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant. Fernández loves working with students and has experience doing so as both a law school Career Counselor, as well as a Recruitment Coordinator for the law firm of Robinson & Cole LLP.
Fernández recognizes the importance of mental health, has been in therapy, and is a certified adult mental health first aider.
Fernández received his JD from the University of Colorado School of Law, and both an MS in Criminal Justice and MPA from Suffolk University in Boston while working full time as a Regulatory Specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy. Fernández is licensed to practice in Massachusetts state courts and Connecticut state and federal courts.
The son of immigrants from Costa Rica, Fernández grew up outside of Boston, speaks Spanish, loves 90s hip hop, and is the father of two amazing children.
Education
- AS, MassBay Community College
- BA, University of Massachusetts Boston
- MS, Suffolk University
- JD, University of Colorado
Areas of Expertise
- Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law
Organization
- Law
Office Location
- School of Law and Education 160
Mail Drop
- LW-FAC
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