Akin Adepoju

Biographical Sketch

Professor Akin Adepoju is an award-winning lawyer, legal scholar, and nationally recognized expert in criminal justice. He teaches criminal law courses and is known for his dynamic, rigorous, and compassionate approach to teaching, blending doctrine with practical insight and sustained mentorship.

In addition to his teaching and scholarship, Professor Adepoju serves as Branch Chief at the national Federal Defender Services Office in Washington, D.C., where he leads national training initiatives for federal defenders and court-appointed counsel. His litigation experience spans nearly every corner of the criminal legal system—from complex white-collar fraud and federal investigations to death penalty trials and post-conviction habeas litigation. He has litigated cases at every level, including the United States Supreme Court.

Recognized for his expertise in trial and sentencing strategy, Professor Adepoju is a sought-after teacher and speaker at national conferences, where he trains students and lawyers on trial advocacy, persuasive legal writing, ethics, capital defense, and resilience in practice. He serves as faculty for the Federal Trial Skills Academy, the National Criminal Defense College, other national training programs, and the University of the District of Columbia.

His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Champion for Justice Award, the Gideon’s Trumpet Award, and the Feinstein Alumni Public Interest Award.

Professor Adepoju is admitted to practice before multiple state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.