Christopher Darden, an accomplished attorney, best-selling author, law professor, has declared his candidacy for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge.

Perhaps best known for serving on the prosecutorial team of the OJ Simpson trial, Darden is also a respected legal commentator, community leader and educator who will bring a diverse set of skills and unmatched experience to the bench.

Christopher Darden was born in Richmond, California, the fourth of eight siblings. He attended San Jose State University, joining Alpha Phi Alpha, an African American fraternity, and earning a degree in criminal justice administration. He received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings.

Although Darden is most acknowledged for the OJ Simpson trial, he was already a seasoned Deputy District Attorney with 15 years of trial experience in the Los Angeles County DA’s office before that assignment. Prior to working for the District Attorney’s office, Darden worked for the National Labor Relations Board.

As a Deputy District Attorney, Christopher Darden worked in the Hardcore Gang Unit and then was the Assistant Head Deputy Attorney of the Special Investigations Division where he investigated criminal activity and corruption by public officials, police officer shootings and allegations of excessive use of force by police.

Darden’s work on the Simpson trial made the country aware of his passion for victims and their rights to be heard. As a member of the prosecution, Darden emphasized the importance of giving a voice to the victims and their families, which was a critical component to the trial. He continues to be an outspoken advocate for victims and their families.

For the past 27 years, Darden has been in private practice as a criminal defense attorney. He has also been teaching for more than a decade, serving as an adjunct professor of law, an assistant professor of law and professor. He has taught at California State University, Los Angeles, at Southwestern University School of Law and at Santa Monica College. Darden specializes in instruction in criminal procedure and trial advocacy.

A New York Times #1 best-selling author, Darden has authored both non-fiction and fiction works. He is also a regular legal commentator on national news outlets including CNN, CNBC, Court TV, Fox News Network and NBC. He has lectured at some of America’s leading colleges and universities including Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University, and Case Western, among others.

Christopher Darden’s extraordinary courtroom experience – serving as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, his work as a legal scholar and his deep commitment to justice for all – including victims, makes him an exceptional and uniquely qualified candidate for the bench.