| Born | Poland |
| Name | Anna Panczenko |
| Career | Corporate law firm • Public interest litigation |
| Ideology | Progressive |
| Education | Harvard Law School |
| Known for | Civil liberties • Human rights • Police accountability |
| Occupation | Lawyer, U.S. Representative |
| Nationality | Polish-American |
| Immigrated to | United States |
| Elected office | U.S. House of Representatives (since 2020) |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
Anna Panczenko is a Polish-American lawyer and member of the United States House of Representatives representing New York's 8th congressional district. Born in 1978 in Warsaw, Poland, Panczenko immigrated to the United States with her family as a child. She later attended Harvard University, where she graduated from the law school in 2003.
After completing her law degree, Panczenko joined the prestigious Cravath law firm in New York City, where she specialized in corporate litigation and mergers & acquisitions. However, Panczenko increasingly found herself drawn to public interest and civil liberties cases, and in 2010 she left Cravath to join the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
At the ACLU, Panczenko built a reputation as a fierce and tenacious litigator, taking on high-profile cases defending the rights of immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and victims of police brutality. Notable cases she was involved in include challenging the Trump administration's travel ban, securing marriage equality in several states, and winning a multi-million dollar settlement for the family of a young Black man killed by police.
Inspired by her legal work and the growing progressive movement, Panczenko decided to run for elected office herself. In 2020, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating the incumbent Democrat in a hotly contested primary. At 42 years old, Panczenko was one of the youngest members of Congress.
Since taking office, Panczenko has emerged as a leading voice for civil liberties and human rights within the Democratic Party. She has co-sponsored legislation to reform qualified immunity for police, create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and expand LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections. Panczenko has also been an outspoken critic of corporate influence in politics and a proponent of campaign finance reform.
Considered a rising star within the party, Panczenko's progressive policy positions and personal charisma have led to speculation that she may run for higher office in the future, potentially even a bid for the presidency. However, the first-term Congresswoman has downplayed such talk, saying she is focused on serving her constituents and continuing her work on civil rights issues.
Through her work as both a lawyer and a politician, Anna Panczenko has established herself as a leading advocate for civil liberties, human rights, and police accountability in the United States. Her willingness to take on high-stakes, controversial cases and her ability to connect with a broad base of supporters have made her a hero to many on the left.
At the same time, Panczenko's unapologetically progressive stances have drawn intense criticism from conservatives, who have painted her as a radical. Nonetheless, her rapid rise to prominence within the Democratic Party suggests that her brand of principled, activist-oriented politics is resonating with a significant portion of the electorate.
Whether Panczenko's political career continues to ascend remains to be seen. But her legacy as a trailblazing lawyer and fearless champion of the underdog is already secure. As one commentator noted, "Anna Panczenko is the kind of leader this country needs more of - someone who will fight tirelessly for justice, no matter the personal cost."
