Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Legal Defense Fund (LDF) alumnus and long-serving civil rights attorney Dale Ho to the Southern District of New York. In November 2021, LDF sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Ho’s nomination, highlighting that his extensive career litigating and overseeing voting rights work – including arguing two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court – makes him well-placed and prepared for the role.
In response to his confirmation, LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson and Associate Director-Counsel Tona Boyd released the following statements:
“LDF commends the administration for nominating an individual of Mr. Ho’s caliber, whose extensive legal acumen and dedication to civil rights make him an exemplary candidate for the federal judiciary,” said Nelson. “During his time as Assistant Counsel for LDF and Director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, Mr. Ho fought zealously to protect and expand voting rights and hold our elected officials accountable to ensuring elections are both fair and accessible. We look forward to witnessing Mr. Ho’s continuing contributions to defending the rule of law, as his wealth of experience and visionary leadership will undoubtedly help navigate the current challenges we face as a nation against the continued attacks on our democracy.”
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Ho on his confirmation to the federal judiciary,” said Boyd. “His confirmation reinforces the importance of having diverse voices and perspectives within the judicial system to not only ensure a more equitable society, but to continue to enhance confidence in our federal judiciary. Throughout his career, Mr. Ho has demonstrated a deep commitment to realizing the values enshrined in the Constitution, promoting fairness, and advancing equal justice under the law. It is a great day for our multiracial, multiethnic democracy to have someone with Mr. Ho’s background and experience join the SDNY.”
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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation’s first civil rights law organization. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.
