Our Team

Darby Hickey (she/her) is Policy Counsel at DC Justice Lab. In this role, she is in charge of leading successful policy campaigns and transforming how advocacy happens. Her work includes conducting research, writing, legislative drafting, oral advocacy, community engagement, training, and strategy development. Darby assists directors with identifying policy solutions and on every step of evolving those solutions from idea to reality. She is passionate about DC Justice Lab’s mission and compassionate in her work to achieve our goals.

For seven years, Darby worked for the people of D.C. in the office of former Councilmember David Grosso. She advised the Councilmember on issues of criminal justice reform, human services, and human rights, and also served for a time as the director of the Committee on Education. While working for Councilmember Grosso, Darby began attending law school at night at the University of the District of Columbia and graduated summa cum laude in 2022, followed by a year clerking for Justice Shirley M. Watts of the Supreme Court of Maryland. She is a member of the D.C. Bar.

Prior to working for Councilmember Grosso, Darby advocated in D.C., nationally, and internationally for criminal justice reform and the human rights of transgender people and sex workers for over a decade. In 2011, she addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding the United States’ human rights record regarding sex workers and the LGBTQ community. Darby has worked to promote the health and rights of marginalized communities with Different Avenues and the D.C. Trans Coalition, and to stop sexual assault behind bars with Just Detention International, among other roles.

Darby lives in Brightwood Park with her 13-year-old son and enjoys gardening, card and board games, and djing.