Michael Pernick is a Political Participation Counsel at the Legal Defense Fund (LDF). He uses advocacy, litigation, and public education strategies to advance racial justice in voting, with a particular focus on state voting rights acts. He has been instrumental in developing and advocating for state voting rights acts, including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (signed into law in 2022), the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut (signed into law in 2023), and the Minnesota Voting Rights Act (signed into law in 2024).
Michael has investigated and litigated voting rights and redistricting cases across the country; frequently testifies before state legislatures and speaks to the press on a wide range of voting rights issues; and has led numerous election protection programs across the country, including LDF’s election protection work in Florida and Georgia in recent elections.
Prior to joining LDF, Michael was a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where he maintained an active voting rights practice. He has also served on the Nassau County Board of Ethics, on the Nassau County Temporary Districting Advisory Commission, and on the Board of Directors of the Adult Congenital Heart Association.
Michael is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Wesleyan University, and is a member of the New York State Bar.
