Joan Stein Jenkins, Esq, the visionary director of the Juvenile Diversion Project, is a uniquely qualified defense council. She is former prosecutor with decades of experience as a court room attorney, seasoned litigator, and master mediator. As a prosecutor, she worked with the cities of Manhattan Beach, Gardena, Redondo Beach, Torrance, South Pasadena, and Los Angeles, focusing on gaining compliance and working with Community Oriented Police Teams.

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​She is a graduate of Indiana University and Duke University Law School and has trained as a master mediator. She is also certified to train mediation trainers and has taught in the US and in India. Joan created and wrote the curriculum for the first peer resolution program in South Bay schools.