Leonard Noisette, Esq. to Join Youth Represent’s Board of Directors
Leonard Noisette, Esq., a lifelong advocate for public defense, human rights, and criminal and juvenile legal systems reform, has joined Youth Represent’s Board of Directors.
Leonard has a steadfast commitment to ensuring fair and equitable treatment of underrepresented communities. Since his early days with the Legal Aid Society, to nearly two decades leading the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, and finally serving as the Justice Division Director (US Programs) with the Open Society Foundation, Leonard has established himself as a leader in the sector.
“I’m excited to support the pivotal work of Youth Represent,” Leonard said. “I’ve long been interested in figuring out ways to be helpful in young people’s lives, so I am excited to support the work that Youth Represent is doing to minimize the impact of the criminal legal system as well as support young people in all areas of life.”
Board Member Colin H. Mincy, who nominated Leonard, has known him since they worked together at the Open Society Foundation. Colin is pleased that Leonard will be working, advising, and being a thought partner on how “Youth Represent can meet the moment as an organization committed to making sure that people from marginalized communities have equal access to justice and that young people who lose their way in life are not forever judged and prevented from growing and moving beyond their criminal system involvement. Lenny is a significant powerful addition to our board.”
A life-long New Yorker and long-time Queens resident, Leonard is a proud graduate of New York City schools, beginning with attending Stuyvesant High School, graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Queens College, and earning his Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law. He now serves as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School.
Noisette resides in Queens, NY, where he is an avid cook and amateur gardener.
Noisette joins a now 12-member board alongside directors Maggie Lear, Richard McKeon, Kevin Baisden, Roberta Meyers Douglas, Colin H. Mincy, Hitha Palepu, Jeanne Adams, Nathalie Berger, Rini Fonseca-Sabune, Wes Korantang, and Jason C. Spears.
