Directory

Chelsea Cook is Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Supervising Attorney for the Duke Civil Justice Clinic. Before joining Duke Law in July 2025, Chelsea practiced for 5+ years as a litigator at Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Eviction Diversion Project in Durham. There, Chelsea successfully defended hundreds of families facing eviction and secured thousands of dollars in favor of Durham tenants who were subject to illegal charges or unsafe living conditions.

Concurrently, since January 2024, Chelsea has served as a representative of Ward III on the Durham City Council. As a Councilmember, Chelsea debates, decides, and formulates municipal law and policy and serves as the liaison for multiple boards and commissions, including Durham’s Homelessness Services Advisory Committee and the Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

Chelsea received their J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2017, where they were awarded Pro Bono Distinction. Prior to that, Chelsea graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a dual B.A. in Public Policy and Women’s Studies.