Civil Rights Lawyer, Kristen Clarke. (Twitter Photo)
(Updated 10/31/2015) The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, one of the leading civil rights organizations in the United States, has elected a new chief following the resignation of Barbara Arnwine, who served as its president and executive director for 26 years.
Kristen Clarke, who currently serves as head of the Civil Rights Bureau at the New York Attorney General’s Office, has been chosen to lead the venerable organization as it begins another half-century of advocacy.
“I look forward to building upon the Lawyers’ Committee’s tremendous legal and civil rights legacy,” Clarke said in a statement. “Humbly, yet boldly, I embrace this historic opportunity to lead and serve, as the organization continues to combat systemic discrimination and racial inequality across our country.”
Lawyers’ Committee leaders praised Clarke’s “stellar” reputation and breadth of experience. In her current position, Clarke is New York’s top civil rights enforcer on a range of issues. Notably, under her leadership the Bureau secured landmark agreements with banks to address unlawful redlining, major retailers on racial profiling of consumers, employers to address barriers to reentry for ex-offenders and more.
“Kristen is a steadfast fighter for the ideal of equal justice under law and one of the most vigorous advocates for fairness I have ever had the honor to work alongside,” New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said in a statement. “The people of New York have been well-served by her passion and integrity.”
Before joining the New York Attorney General’s Office, Clarke worked at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund as program director for the organization’s nationwide work in the areas of voting rights and election law. Clarke also defended the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act before judges and lawmakers, presenting oral argument to the D.C. District Court in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder.
Prior to joining the NAACP, she worked in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she prosecuted cases involving police misconduct, police brutality, hate crimes and human trafficking. She also worked on voting rights and redistricting cases through the Office’s Voting Section.
“Ms. Clarke’s outstanding track record, legal prowess, commitment to civil rights, and leadership abilities are remarkable,” said Lawyers’ Committee Co-Chair John M. Nonna. “We look forward to her visionary leadership, energy, expertise, and innovation as she takes the helm and engages the pro bono efforts of the private bar and our other partners in establishing a more just and equal society.”
Clarke is a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia Law School. She is the author of several articles and books, including “Barack Obama and African American Empowerment: The Rise of Black America’s New Leadership” (co-edited with Dr. Manning Marable). She currently serves as a lecturer in law at Columbia University School of Law.