Priya Chaudhry

Priya Chaudhry is an American lawyer. She is known for representing Jen Shah, Paul Haggis, and Jonathan Majors. The Hollywood Reporter named Chaudhry as one of the 25 "Power Lawyers" it recognized as "Hollywood’s Troubleshooters".[1] Chambers and Partners has ranked Chaudhry for over five years and she has been named a "Super Lawyer" for over fifteen years.[2][3]

Early life

Chaudhry's family moved from Delhi to Cleveland, Ohio when she was one year old. Witnessing the treatment of her neighbors, who were largely poor people of color, by the police inspired Chaudhry to become a defense lawyer.[4]

Chaudhry studied pre-med prior to earning a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University.[4]

Career

Chaudhry worked as a public defender in Seattle for two years, later moving to New York City and being hired by a boutique firm focused on white-collar crimes. She then ran her own practice for six years before becoming a partner at Harris, St. Laurent & Chaudhry. In 2019, she left to open Chaudhry Law, with a focus on criminal cases.[4]

In 2022, Chaudhry represented The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah after she was charged in a telemarketing fraud case.[5][6] Shah pleaded guilty in July 2022. In March 2023, Chaudhry said Shah owed her over $124,000 in legal fees.[6][7]

In 2023, Chaudhry defended former Boston prosecutor and prominent criminal justice reform advocate Adam Foss against charges of rape and sexual abuse. The jury acquitted Foss on all charges.[8]

Chaudhry represented actor Jonathan Majors in his trial for assaulting his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Due to her approach in cross-examining Jabbari, the judge ruled that the jurors could see previously-sealed text messages from Majors.[9][4] Majors would eventually be found guilty of reckless misdemeanor assault of Jabbari,[10] though the jury acquitted him of all intentional counts.[11]

For nearly two decades, Chaudhry has taught trial advocacy at institutions such as Cardozo Law School, Rutgers School of Law, and the New Jersey Public Defender; she has also lectured as adjunct faculty at Columbia Law School and Fordham Law School.[12]

Personal life

Chaudhry is married to Andrew Bourke, a crisis communications expert.[4]

References

  1. ^ Cullins, Ashley (September 22, 2023). "Hollywood's Troubleshooters: Who the Stars Call to Put Out Fires and Prevent Future Disasters". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Priya Chaudhry". Super Lawyers. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Priya Chaudhry". chambers.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Chapin, Angelina (February 8, 2024). "New York's Most Ruthless Defense Lawyer". The Cut. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Cullins, Ashley (November 28, 2022). "Hollywood's Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Jackson, Dory (April 7, 2023). "Jen Shah's Attorney Claims She Owes More Than $124,000 in Unpaid Legal Fees and Expenses". People. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Martin, Emily St. (April 8, 2023). "Lawyer says ex-'Housewives' star and current inmate Jen Shah owes law firm more than $124,000". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Meko, Hurubie (November 3, 2023). "Manhattan Jury Clears Ex-Prosecutor of Rape and Assault Charges". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2023). "Jonathan Majors' Texts Emerge As Crux Of Domestic Violence Trial; Correspondence Of Potential Past Incident Unsealed". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "Actor Jonathan Majors found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend in car in New York". Associated Press News. Associated Press. December 18, 2023. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Romano, Aja (March 28, 2023). "Jonathan Majors's assault and harassment conviction, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Priya Chaudhry". ChaudhryLaw PLLC. Retrieved July 10, 2024.