Estrella López

Senior State Policy Manager

As Senior State Policy Manager, Estrella López works with lawmakers, state leaders, and advocacy coalitions nationwide to advance and implement evidence-based criminal justice reforms in JAN’s target states.

Prior to joining JAN, Estrella worked at the CSG Justice Center, where she led data-driven policy development and supported states participating in the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. She analyzed criminal justice data, drafted legislation, and advised legislators and other stakeholders, helping design and implement reforms through law, rule, and administrative policy.

Before transitioning to policy, Estrella spent more than a decade serving as a county prosecutor, handling complex criminal cases and serving in senior leadership roles, including as Chief of Staff. That experience informs her pragmatic approach to reform and her ability to navigate politically and operationally complex environments.

Estrella also consults on True Bill Talk, a podcast from the Vanderbilt Project on Prosecution Policy, where she contributes research and content development.

She holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in New Jersey.