Wednesday, November 30, 2022 | news
Today, House Democrats elected New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries as House Minority Leader for the upcoming 118th Congress. With this historic vote, Rep. Jeffries becomes the first Black person to serve as a congressional party leader in either chamber for either major party in American history. In response to the vote, Legal Defense Fund (LDF) […]
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 | news
Today, Laphonza Butler was sworn-in to the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who passed away last week at 90. Ms. Butler, who previously served as president of Emily’s List, is also a labor leader, political strategist, and an advocate for women and working people. She is now the sole Black […]
Saturday, October 24, 2015 | news
The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (LDF) congratulates the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL) on selecting Kristen Clarke as its President and Executive Director. LDF and LCCRUL have worked collaboratively for decades to promote racial justice in the courts and the halls of Congress, particularly around ensuring full political participation […]
Monday, June 14, 2021 | news
Today, the United States Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, filling the seat formerly occupied by Attorney General Merrick Garland. Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), issued the following statement regarding Judge Jackson’s confirmation: […]
Thursday, July 9, 2015 | news
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (“LDF”) joins the families of New Yorkers killed by police as they celebrate a milestone victory – the Governor’s signing of an executive order that requires the Attorney General to serve as a special prosecutor for New Yorkers killed by law enforcement. For years, LDF has had the […]
Monday, September 23, 2013 | news
This weekend, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) awarded Elaine Jones, LDF’s former President and Director-Counsel, with the prestigious CBC Chair’s Phoenix Award. The Phoenix Awards are presented annually at CBC’s Legislative Conference Dinner to “extraordinary individuals who, through their efforts and accomplishments, have made significant contributions to society.” In addition to Elaine, President Bill Clinton and Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD) received Phoenix Awards from […]
Monday, September 9, 2013 | news
Statement by Sherrilyn A Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of LDF LDF applauds the leadership of Benjamin Jealous, the outgoing president of the NAACP who announced today he will step down from his post as President and CEO at the end of the year. Although the LDF and the NAACP have been separate organizations for […]
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 | news
Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland announced that NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., (LDF) Senior Counsel Ajmel Quereshi has been appointed as a magistrate judge. A member of the LDF team since 2015, Mr. Quereshi has litigated on behalf of Black Marylanders’ right to equal economic opportunity and in […]
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 | news
On Monday, Walmart announced it will roll back its diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies, despite previously emphasizing the importance of these initiatives and amid an increasingly polarized racial climate. In response, Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), issued the following statement: “Considering people of color constitute nearly half […]
Thursday, October 5, 2023 | news
On Monday, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) released body-worn camera footage of a brutal law enforcement attack on Le’Keian Woods, a 24-year-old Black man. In response to this, Legal Defense Fund (LDF) President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement: “Our hearts go out to Le’Keian Woods and his family during this traumatic time, […]
