Christopher Allen Darden was born on April 7, 1956, in Richmond, California, the son of Eddie, a shipyard welder and Jean, a school cafeteria worker.  Darden is a
writer, lecturer and practicing criminal defense and civil litigation attorney.  Darden received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from  California University at San Jose (1977) and his law degree from the  University of California, Hastings College of the Law (1980). Darden is a 15-year veteran of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, where he was assigned to the prosecution of former professional football player, O.J. Simpson. During his tenure as a prosecutor, he was the Assistant Head Deputy Attorney of the Special Investigations Division. There for six years, his division investigated corrupt public officials, election law violations and police officer shootings as well as allegations of excessive use of force by police. Darden's past assignments also included the Hardcore Gang Division and the Major Crimes Division. 

After leaving the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in 1995, Darden joined the faculty at California State University, Los Angeles, where he taught criminal law. That same year, he was appointed Associate Professor of Law at Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles. Darden taught and specialized in criminal procedure and trial advocacy.  He left the law school in 1999 and immediately started his own firm, Darden & Associates, Inc., specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation. Darden's thorough experience on both sides of criminal prosecution, both as a former prosecutor and now currently as a criminal defense attorney give him a unique edge in providing his clients with superior results. As a certified State of California Bar attorney, Darden not only defends clients at the state level but also on the Federal level taking on appellate cases of the same criminal nature.

Darden continues to be an advocate against domestic violence and is active in a variety of local and national organizations, including the National Bar Association (Lifetime Member), American Trial Lawyers Association and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Lifetime Member). In 1998, Darden received the Crystal Heart Award from Loved Ones of Homicide Victims, an organization devoted to aiding families that have suffered the loss of loved ones as a result of violence. In 2000 he was recognized as “Humanitarian of the Year” by Eli Horne, A California shelter for abused children and women. Darden has lectured at America’s leading colleges and universities, including but not limited to, Indiana University, University of Pittsburgh, Yale, University of Miami, Mercer University, Pennsylvania,Western and Georgia State University. He has also spoken on a variety of legal and social issues at major fundraisers, state and regional bar association conventions, and corporate gatherings.

Christopher Darden is a former legal commentator for NBC and CNBC, and a frequent guest and commentator on CNN, Fox News Network and Court TV. He has appeared on every major television news or talk show. He has made guest appearances on “Touched By an Angel,” “Girlfriends,” “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” “Roseanne” and the movie “Liar Liar.”  He is the former principal attorney in the syndicated legal show “Power of Attorney.”

Darden is also an accomplished writer. He is the co-author of the former number one New York Times best seller, “In Contempt” (1996) and “The Trials of Nikki Hill” (1999) and “LA Justice” (2000). In September 2002, PAL published “The Last Defense,” a new crime thriller written by Darden with Dick Lochte. Currently Darden resides in Southern California.