Color photo of (from left to right) Janai Nelson, Sherrilyn Ifill, Ted Shaw, and Elaine Jones standing in front of a color photo of past LDF attorneys.

Our Directors-Counsel

As the legal arm of the Civil Rights Movement, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has a tradition of expert legal advocacy in the Supreme Court and other courts across the nation. LDF’s victories established the foundations for the civil rights that all Americans enjoy today. Meet the brilliant legal minds at the forefront of the ongoing struggle for racial justice.

Thurgood Marshall (1940–1961)

Black-and-white headshot photo of Thurgood Marshall, LDF's Founder and first Director-Counsel.

Jack Greenberg (1961–1984)

Black-and-white headshot photo of Jack Greenberg, LDF's second Director-Counsel.

Julius Levonne Chambers (1984–1993)

Black-and-white photo of Julius Levonne Chambers, LDF's third Director-Counsel, seated and wearing a suit and glasses.

Elaine Jones (1993–2004)

Color headshot photo of Elaine Jones, LDF's fourth Director-Counsel.

Ted Shaw (2004–2008)

Color headshot photo of Ted Shaw, LDF's fifth Director-Counsel.

John Payton (2008–2012)

Color headshot photo of John Payton, LDF's sixth Director-Counsel.

Sherrilyn Ifill (2013-2022)

Color headshot photo of Sherrilyn Ifill, LDF's seventh Director-Counsel.

Janai Nelson (2022–PRESENT)

Color headshot photo of Janai Nelson, LDF's eighth Director-Counsel.
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