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December 6, 2007
LDF Appoints Leading Civil Rights Attorney John Payton as Director-Counsel and President
WASHINGTON, D.C.—December 6, 2007—The LDF Board of Directors initiated their
search for a new director-counsel last May when Ted Shaw announced that he would
be stepping down as Director-Counsel and President of LDF in February 2008. John
Payton, an attorney known for his successful record in some of the most important
and visible civil rights cases in the United States, has been named Director-Counsel
and President of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF),
effective March 1st. Payton brings a wealth of experience, including cases brought
before the U.S. Supreme Court, in leading LDF in its fight for racial and social
justice.
"This is both a very exciting and a very humbling moment for me. I have always admired
The Legal Defense Fund: it is an historic organization with an important mission,"
said John Payton. "Racial justice and equality are issues that I deeply care about,
and being at LDF will allow me to be involved in that fight every day."
As lead counsel for the University of Michigan, Mr. Payton handled the two high-profile
cases in the trial court, in the court of appeals and argued Gratz v. Bollinger
in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's decision represented the vindication of
a strategy, devised and implemented over more than six years, to build a case to
support the educational benefits of diversity. The New York Times described
the case as one that "galvanized affirmative action advocates who produced sociological studies documenting how a
diverse campus enhances the educational and long-term life experiences for all students."
Known as a 'lawyer?s lawyer' among colleagues and friends, Payton also participated
in other landmark cases. He represented the American Legacy Foundation in its suit
against a large tobacco company and represented the NAACP in a suit brought by white
merchants in Mississippi. He has also served as Co-Chair of the Lawyers Committee
on Civil Rights and as President of the District of Columbia Bar and is a member
of the American Bar Association.
As director of LDF, Payton hopes to raise awareness of LDF's continuing work in
ensuring equal rights and justice for all Americans. "Today, our country has perhaps
its highest rate of wealth and income inequality, which is exacerbated when race
is taken into account. Katrina exposed this glaring inequality in the Lower Ninth
Ward of New Orleans. There are many other Lower Ninth Wards across the country,"
said Payton.
"LDF is extremely fortunate to have the leadership and service of John Payton,"
said Vernon E. Jordan, Jr, Managing Director at Lazard Fréres & Co, and LDF Board
Member. "He is a first-class lawyer, with experience and commitment to the cause
of equal justice. It is an enormous coup for LDF."
"John is one of the great civil rights lawyers of his generation and a great protector
of diversity and equal opportunity in America," said Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman
and CEO, American Express Company. "His accomplishments make him well-suited to
follow in the footsteps of Thurgood Marshall as Director-Counsel of LDF."
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