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Executive Director Katie Kraschel Named One of ABA’s Top 40 Young Lawyers

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Katie Kraschel, Executive Director of the Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy,  has been named among the American Bar Association’s “Top 40 Young Lawyers” for 2018.

The bar association’s annual “On the Rise” award recognizes young attorneys “who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service.” The recognition is awarded by the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Committee, and honorees are selected by a committee of practicing attorneys in private practice and in-house positions based on nominations.

Of the Top 40 Young Lawyers—all under age of 37 or admitted to practice law for a period of five years or less—Kraschel is the only honoree working in an educational setting. “It’s a surprise and an honor to be selected—especially while working in a non-traditional role in higher education,” Kraschel said. “It’s a testament to the idea at Yale that success lies in finding the right path for you.”

Kraschel joined the Solomon Center as Executive Director in July of 2017. She also holds appointments as a Lecturer in Law and a Clinical Lecturer in Law at the Law School, and she co-leads the Reproductive Justice Clinic and the Medical-Legal Partnership seminar.

Prior to joining the Solomon Center, Kraschel served as Associate Counsel at Yale New Haven Health System, where she focused on corporate regulatory work. She previously worked as an associate in the health care practice group at the Boston office of Foley & Lardner and as a Fellow in Bioethics at Harvard Medical School. Before pursuing a second career in law, Kraschel worked as a scientist at Pfizer. Kraschel holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Mount Holyoke College and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

The American Bar Association is not the first bar association to recognize Kraschel as a young lawyer on the rise. In 2016 the National LGBT Bar Association named Kraschel among the “Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40.”

“Katie is a superstar," said Solomon Center Faculty Director Abbe Gluck ’00. "She brings years of practice experience and a passion for advocacy to the Solomon Center. In just one year she has already expanded our footprint significantly in multiple areas, including reproductive rights, LBGT health, and bioethics. It is terrific to see her getting this recognition."