Barbara Van Sickle, J.D., M.A.

Co-Executive Director, Co-Founder

From her youth outreach days to law school and beyond, Barbara’s intention has been to impact the world in which we live. A judicial externship led her to a national law firm, during which time she represented a roster of clients while also providing a substantial pro bono contribution. She co-chaired a California clemency movement that created new laws around domestic violence and was an integral part of a team of lawyers representing a client sentenced to capital punishment in a multi-year appeal.

Opportunity led her to become Deputy General Counsel of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. During this time, she engaged in board service for nonprofits along with grassroots work, served as a court-appointed temporary judge, and dove into the study of psychology as a complement to something yet unknown. After her tenure at MGM, Barbara redirected her efforts toward her original intention in attending law school and became a Los Angeles County Public Defender. Still unsatisfied with the inequity of the traditional legal system and its lack of empowerment of those that most need it, she discovered the power of restorative justice.

Barbara fully followed her passion for advocacy and effecting change by co-creating ReEvolution, using all that her journey has taught her. She continues to train in, and marvel at, the transformative power of restorative justice practices to heal harm and create community and approaches the work of ReEvolution against that backdrop.