Ari Shapell graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Law School in 2021 and has an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. At Penn Law, Ari conducted research with the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice on probation revocation practices in Philadelphia. He also participated in the Youth Advocacy Project, a student pro bono project, where he advocated for young people charged as adults in Pennsylvania's criminal legal system. Before law school, Ari worked in data analytics and digital product management.
He has a passion for volunteer work, especially when it comes to criminal legal reform. In 2018, he received the Volunteer of the Year Award from "Getting Out and Staying Out" NYC for his work mentoring formerly and currently incarcerated young men. And as a long-time volunteer and legal intern with the ACLU of PA, Ari co-authored the ACLU of PA's report on cash bail in Allegheny County before joining the organization in his current role.