Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kim Alton
(202) 662-8600
August 3, 2006

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Names Marsha Simms Co-Chair of its Board of Directors

Marsha E. Simms, a partner in Weil Gotshal’s Banking & Finance practice, was elected Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee). Her term of office will begin in September 2006. Ms. Simms will serve as Co-Chair with Robert E. Harrington, a shareholder of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ms. Simms’ position was previously held by Marjorie Press Lindblom, a partner with the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis.

“Marsha’s experience in key Lawyers’ Committee roles, her extensive background with the organized bar, and her personal commitment to civil rights and the work of our organization, make her the perfect choice to serve as Co-Chair. We all look forward to her leadership over the next two years,” said Robert Harrington.

“Our nation’s civil rights challenges are vast and varied and will require extraordinary leadership over the coming years. Marsha Simms’ strong record of leadership in the private bar and her serious commitment to pro bono service make her the ideal person to assume the mantle of Co-Chair to guide us in these times. The Lawyers’ Committee is quite honored to have Marsha Simms serve in this capacity,” said Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee.

The Lawyers’ Committee, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law. The Lawyers’ Committee implements its mission and objectives by marshaling the pro bono resources of the bar for litigation, public policy advocacy, and other forms of legal service to promote the cause of civil rights. The Lawyers’ Committee has nine independent Local Committees in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Francisco, Jackson and Washington, D.C. All offices work to protect fundamental civil rights by representing people of color and women in the courts as well as advocating strong enforcement of civil rights laws before administrative bodies.

In addition to her work with the Lawyers’ Committee, Ms. Simms serves on the Board of Trustees of Educational Broadcasting Corporation (Channel 13) and on the Board of Directors of MK Level Playing Field Institute.

Ms. Simms is also a member of the American Bar Association Meetings and Travel Committee and a former chair of the ABA Coordinating Group on Energy Law. She is President of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and a member of The American Law Institute.


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