Attorney · Lecturer at Berkeley Law · Restorative Justice Circle Keeper · Policy Analyst · Legislative Strategist · Community Organizer · Change Maker · Bridge Builder · Mother
Yoana Tchoukleva (formally "Ioana") (she/they) is an attorney, restorative justice circle keeper, and policy analyst dedicated to community-led justice — at home in Oakland and abroad.
Work with Yoana →Yoana was born and raised in Bulgaria in a family torn apart by domestic violence, mental illness, and the intergenerational impacts of communism and colonialism. From an early age, she wanted to understand why good people do terrible things and how we can end both interpersonal and systemic violence.
It was moving to Oakland fifteen years ago and sitting in restorative justice circles in San Quentin and juvenile hall that taught her that it is, in fact, possible to end violence. It starts with creating practices and policies that allow our most vulnerable community members to heal from trauma and meet their material needs. It starts with investment in restorative justice, youth leaders, jobs, housing, healthcare, education, and all the basic needs that allow people to thrive.
"Nothing stops a bullet like a job. Nothing stops the killing like opportunities for healing."
Reentry Organizations Convening · Impact Justice, San Francisco.
Tired of seeing her community hurting and equipped with a degree from Berkeley Law, Yoana set out to plant seeds for healing and transformation where there had been too much punishment and incarceration. She sought resentencing for individuals serving juvenile life without parole, clerked for Judge Thelton Henderson of the Northern District of California, worked on civil rights cases at the ACLU and Equal Justice Society, and fought to end the school-to-prison pipeline.
Seeing structural racism as one of the root causes of systemic violence, she drafted legislation that made implicit bias trainings a requirement for judges, attorneys, and doctors in the state. As Assistant District Attorney in the Restorative Justice Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Yoana expanded access to restorative justice diversion in felony cases where the survivors chose a restorative justice approach.
Currently, Yoana focuses on developing innovative reentry projects at Impact Justice, teaches restorative justice diversion at Berkeley Law, and serves on the Oakland Public Safety Planning and Oversight Commission (OPSPOC), overseeing the expenditure of $47M of taxpayer dollars on public safety services.
In her Democratic Party advocacy, Yoana is the Bay Area Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus and a Co-Chair of California Democrats for Justice in Palestine. She holds trainings, inspires young leaders to become politically active, and facilitates accountability processes in the community.
Twelve years of legal practice, advocacy, and community leadership across the Bay Area's most consequential justice institutions.
Overseeing $47M in Measure NN public safety funds and co-developing the city's first four-year community violence reduction plan.
Teaching the first ever course on restorative justice diversion at Berkeley Law, inspiring the next generation of attorneys to practice in a way that heals rather than harms.
Transforming reentry systems and reducing recidivism through policy, research, and community partnership.
Expanded access to restorative justice diversion for youth and adults facing felony charges where survivors chose a restorative path.
Wrote two bills that were signed into law—AB 241 and AB 242—making implicit bias training a requirement for all judges, attorneys and healthcare professionals in California.
Clerked for one of the most influential civil rights judges in American history.
Co-led California Supreme Court litigation seeking resentencing for people serving juvenile life without parole.
Concentrated in international law, civil rights, criminal law, and restorative justice. Founded the Post-Conviction Advocacy Project, a student-led clinic that has trained over 130 students to represent lifers in parole hearings and led to over 60 people regaining their freedom after long periods of incarceration.
Graduated with distinction, with a major in international studies and a minor in human rights.
Overseeing $47M in Measure NN public safety funds and co-developing the city's first four-year community violence reduction plan.
Advocating for people over profit and leading the largest caucus within the party.
Facilitates restorative justice accountability processes in organizations and communities.
If any of this resonates — if you're seeking policy change, navigating conflict, building a campaign, or wondering if a restorative process is right for your situation — reach out.
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