San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today nominated Max Carter-Oberstone to the San Francisco Police Commission, the seven-member body charged with setting policy for the Police Department and conducting disciplinary hearings when police conduct charges are filed. Carter-Oberstone, who is African American, was born and raised in San Francisco and is an attorney who specializes in appellate litigation and police reform.

“I am extremely proud to nominate San Francisco native Max Carter-Oberstone to the Police Commission,” said Mayor Breed. “His experience advocating for criminal justice reform and community policing efforts comes at a critical time for public safety in our city. I am confident that his lived and professional experience will bring a diverse perspective to this well-respected commission.”

Carter-Oberstone has years of experience as an attorney. He currently serves as the Orrick Justice Fellow at the Policing Project at New York University Law School, where he is charged with spearheading legislative and litigation initiatives. As a fellow, Carter-Oberstone has drafted model laws that regulate various aspects of policing and has advised policymakers on police reform efforts. He has also designed and implemented litigation strategies focused on constitutional doctrines that affect community-police relations.

“I am humbled by Mayor Breed’s decision to nominate me to the Police Commission. I am hopeful that my professional skills and lived experience will be an asset in assisting the Commission carry out its important duties. The chance to serve the City that I grew up in, in such a critical role is an incredible honor,” says Carter-Oberstone.

Carter-Oberstone is also a Senior Associate in Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe’s Supreme Court & Appellate Practice Group, where he litigates a range of matters in the U.S. Supreme Court and other appellate courts. Before joining Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, Carter-Oberstone was an Associate Deputy Solicitor General at the California Department of Justice. He represented the State, state agencies, and constitutional officers in dozens of appellate matters, principally before the U.S. and California Supreme Courts.

“Max’s familiarity with San Francisco and his distinguished legal career make him a natural fit to serve the city as a Police Commissioner,” said Malia Cohen, President of the San Francisco Police Commission. “I am particularly excited to see how he applies his practical approach to leadership and policy analysis to help advance the Commission’s policy priorities, which include eliminating bias, streamlining the policymaking process, and improving data collection and analysis across a number of critical SFPD systems. I look forward to serving with him on the Commission.”

“This nomination is a wow from me! It is great to see a nominee who is an example to our young folks of how to navigate their way through the obstacles and barriers they face growing up in the Fillmore neighborhood but not finding themselves caught up in the system. That’s what Mr. Carter-Oberstone will represent as a Commissioner; paying it forward with his lived experience and professional skill,” says James Spingola, Executive Director, Collective Impact.

Carter-Oberstone is a graduate of Stanford Law School and Georgetown University and currently lives in Nob Hill with his wife, Nathalie, and son, Everett.

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