John Van De Kamp, Esq.

Chair, Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice

B.A in, Dartmouth College

J.D. in Stanford Law School

John Van De Kamp has had a long and distinguished career in public service. He served as the District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles and as the 28th Attorney General of California. As District Attorney, he established the office’s first Victim Assistance Program and chaired the state committee establishing such programs throughout California. As California Attorney General he created the Public Rights Division, which vigorously fought to enforce antitrust laws, statutes protecting consumers, civil rights, and the environment. He also helped to modernize the Department of Justice by initiating support of DNA forensic investigation. Throughout his career, he also served as the U.S. Attorney for the then Southern District of California as the Director of the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys and as the Central District’s first Federal Public Defender. For outstanding leadership in public service and in the legal profession, and because of his contribution to equal justice, John Van de Kamp has received numerous awards. He was also elected as the President of the California District Attorneys Association and as the 80th President of the State Bar of California. In 2006 the California Senate Rules Committee appointed him to serve as the Chair of its Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice to recommend safeguards to prevent wrongful convictions.

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