IUPUI
Lahny Silva
Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Expert Bio
Professor Lahny Silva joined the faculty in 2011. She was the William H. Hastie Fellow at the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, which is where she received her Master of Laws degree. This prestigious fellowship is designed for aspiring scholars who are preparing for a career teaching law. She utilizes her expertise in criminal law to positively impact those who have experienced incarceration. She has been part of the Re-Entry and Community Help (REACH) Legal Assistance Program since 2015. This program, administered by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is a collaboration of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Indiana Federal Community Defenders, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and IU McKinney. Through this voluntary program, individuals who were formerly incarcerated take part in monthly hearings designed to help with substance abuse problems, repairing family relationships, employment, and setting and achieving short-term goals. She also helped found the student group, Second Chance Re-entry Assistance Program (SCRAP), and the annual Re-Entry Fair. Both the student group and the fair work with previously incarcerated individuals to help them get drivers licenses, create resumes, find safe and affordable housing, food assistance, and employment assistance.
Areas of Expertise
Criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence.
Other Information
Professor Silva and 8 alumni named Indy’s Best and Brightest finalists: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/past.html?nid=4156 Professor Silva hosts community event at IU McKinney: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=3896 IU McKinney students, professor Silva featured in Indiana Lawyer: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=3894 Professor Lahny Silva receives “Unsung Hero” Award from IBA, 2018: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=3387 Professor Silva discusses tight job market for previously incarcerated individuals with IBJ: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=3299 Story on REACH Program features professor Silva, IU McKinney impact: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=3141 Professor Lahny Silva receives “Unsung Hero” Award from IBA, 2019: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=3140 Professor Silva comments on Sentencing for Indianapolis Newspaper: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=2248 Professors Silva and Waterhouse participate in community event to address mass incarceration: https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/news/archive.html?nid=2111
