Friday, December 6, 2019 | news
LDF mourns the loss of civil rights attorney, law professor, and former LDF Counsel Leroy D. Clark. Mr. Clark passed away last week in Washington, D.C. He was 85 years old. Mr. Clark was born on April 27, 1934 in New York, New York. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the City College […]
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | news
Today, former LDF Board member and renowned professor of law at Harvard Law School, Charles Ogletree, Jr. passed away. He was 70. Professor Ogletree, affectionately known as “Tree,” served on LDF’s Board of Directors from 2009-2015. Closely associated with the evolution of Critical Race Theory, Tree was a giant in the legal academy and a […]
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Judge Richard H. Dinkins, a groundbreaking civil rights activist, attorney, and judge who also frequently served as a cooperating attorney with LDF. He died at 71 years old on October 1, 2023. “We honor the memory of Judge Richard Dinkins, a renowned civil […]
Thursday, January 11, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Joseph “Jazz” Hayden, a former client of LDF and advocate for voting rights of current and formerly incarcerated people. Hayden’s vision to end felon disfranchisement in New York City made a reverberating impact throughout the region and nation. “Mr. Jazz Hayden was an […]
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 | news
Today, LDF mourns the loss of legendary civil rights attorney and LDF Senior Board member, John W. Walker. A native of Arkansas, Mr. Walker dedicated his career to championing racial justice as one of the most influential lawyers in that state. He passed away on October 28th at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. […]
Monday, June 21, 2021 | news
LDF Mourns the Loss of Jetta Jones, Attorney and Longtime Board Member The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) mourns the passing of Ms. Jetta Jones, beloved mother and grandmother, and longtime LDF Board member, who passed away peacefully on April 9, 2021, in her daughter Courtney Moore’s home in Pasadena, California. She […]
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) mourns the loss of James “Fergie” Ferguson II, a beloved civil rights champion and steadfast advocate whose extraordinary legal advocacy reshaped the fight for racial justice in North Carolina and beyond. From an early age, Ferguson demonstrated a tireless commitment to civil rights, helping to form the Ashville Student Committee […]
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of James Earl Jones, a legendary actor whose powerful performances captivated audiences for nearly seven decades. Mr. Jones passed away at 93 years old in Dutchess County, New York. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement: “It is with heavy hearts […]
Friday, January 31, 2025 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Henry L. Marsh III, a renowned civil rights attorney and public servant. A lifelong civic leader and advocate, Mr. Marsh worked closely with LDF on numerous civil rights cases and made history as the first Black mayor of Richmond, VA. Mr. Marsh passed […]
Monday, June 21, 2021 | news
LDF Mourns the Loss of George Wallerstein, Longtime Board Member, Award-Winning Astronomer, and Esteemed Professor The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) mourns the loss of George Wallerstein, Board member, celebrated astronomer, Professor Emeritus, and dedicated philanthropic supporter whose generous financial contributions helped establish LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute. Mr. Wallerstein died on May […]
