Saturday, March 30, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Louis Gossett Jr., a trailblazing actor and benefactor of human and civil rights. Gossett Jr. died at 87 years old on March 29, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement: “We mourn the passing of […]
Monday, November 4, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Quincy Jones, a legendary music icon and humanitarian who served on LDF’s Board of Directors for more than three decades. A courageous proponent of racial justice, Mr. Jones played a significant role in advancing several of LDF’s initiatives during his tenure while working in […]
Tuesday, September 4, 2018 | news
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) mourns the passing of Jay Topkis, a former member of LDF’s Board of Directors who advised LDF on more than 21 cases between 1967 and 1988. A generous LDF donor, Topkis was a longtime partner at the firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. […]
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 […]
