Charlyn Bender is an accomplished trial attorney and investigator with over 21 years of experience navigating complex legal matters and sensitive workplace issues. A former Orange County Deputy District Attorney, Charlyn prosecuted high-stakes cases ranging from homicides to fraud, collaborating closely with investigators and experts to build compelling cases. Her precision, impartiality, and commitment to truth now inform her work in workplace investigations and employment law.
Charlyn’s expertise extends to public sector accountability, serving as a Police Oversight Commissioner for the City of Long Beach, where she oversees independent investigations and audits of law enforcement practices. She previously worked as Vice President and General Counsel of Madison Paving Inc., advising on compliance and corporate governance. Charlyn is also a budding real estate investor, managing properties throughout Long Beach and the Los Angeles area.
Having long harbored a desire to increase her engagement in her community and the process of public policy decision-making, Charlyn completed the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute in 2011. Shortly after completion of the program, she was appointed to the Medical Marijuana Task Force for the City of Long Beach. In this role, she served as the chair of the committee responsible for advising the City Council about proposed legislation for the development and regulation of cannabis farms and dispensaries in the City.
Charlyn is a graduate of Loyola Law School, where she earned her JD in 2003. She also holds an M.A. in Multicultural Education from CSU Dominguez Hills and a B.A. in History with a Minor in Biology from the University of California, San Diego. She has also completed the Ross Minority Program in Real Estate Development at the University of Southern California.
