WLC Sues Shenandoah Co. School Board for Renaming Public Schools After Confederate Generals

Photo of brick school sign reading "Stonewall Jackson High School"

WLC Sues Shenandoah County School Board (VA) for Renaming Public Schools After Confederate Generals

This Juneteenth, we’re reminded that the end of slavery and the celebration of Black Freedom is not a thing of the past. Just last week, on June 11, WLC and Covington & Burling filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of five students and the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, challenging the Shenandoah County School Board’s decision to rename two public schools after Confederate generals. This decision seeks to take Shenandoah schools back to a time when African Americans were enslaved and in bondage.

WLC is proud to stand with those students and the Virginia NAACP, who are fighting to ensure the right to education free of discrimination for all children. Forcing Black children to attend schools glorifying the Confederacy creates a school environment that violates their rights and denies them an equal opportunity to an education. The Confederacy school names also violate the rights of Black and white students alike, who do not want to carry the message of hate that the Confederacy names represent.

The lawsuit details the horrific legacy of segregation in Shenandoah County and how resurrecting the Confederate names embraces and perpetuates that legacy. Shenandoah County has a long history of running segregated schools and opposing integration. In 1959, five years after the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, Shenandoah County constructed Stonewall Jackson High School as an all-White school. The naming of that school made clear in 1959—and in 2024—that Black students are not welcome at Shenandoah schools. The first Black students were enrolled at that high school during the 1963-64 school year.

For more details on WLC’s lawsuit against Shenandoah County School Board, click here.

WLC's New Strategic Plan

WLC is pleased to announce that on June 13, the WLC board approved a new strategic and financial plan to guide our strategic litigation and advance racial justice in the Greater Washington, D.C. region and beyond.

To learn more, click here.

Events

Yellow flyer with black text that reads "Book talk with Judge David Tatel June 25, 2024 | 6:00 PM Sidley Austin LLP 1501 K Street NW Washington DC Open to the public. Advanced registration required." and the book cover of "Vision A Memoir of Blindness and Justice" by David S. Tatel that pictures David S. Tatel in his judge robes with his guide dog

Book Talk with the Honorable Judge David S. Tatel

Join us on June 25 at 6 p.m. for a book talk with the Honorable Judge David Tatel on his new memoir Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice. Judge Tatel devoted much of his career to various Lawyers’ Committees for Civil Rights – founding the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee, before going on to direct the national Lawyers’ Committee, and also serving on the WLC Board of Directors. He later served for nearly 30 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals (D.C. Cir.), where he championed voting rights and equal justice. Judge Tatel will be signing books which will be available for purchase.

Seating is limited, and advance registration is required. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pro Bono Profile

Photo Ryan Downer and Joanne Lin from WLC presenting an Outstanding Achievement Award to Erin Morgan and Jeannie Rhee from Paul Weiss

Paul Weiss Pro Bono Team - Metro AME v. Proud Boys

In 2023, WLC (with Paul Weiss and Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law) obtained a landmark judgment for Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church—one of DC’s historic iconic Black churches. The court ordered the Proud Boys to pay over $1 million in damages for attacking the church and destroying their Black Lives Matter sign in Dec. 2020. The $1 million damages award is the fourth highest amount ever awarded against a white supremacist organization. WLC celebrated the Paul Weiss pro bono team at our 2024 Wiley Branton Awards Luncheon.

For more details on the case, click here.
Watch a video about the case here.

In Case You Missed It

Collage of photos from the 2024 Branton Luncheon featuring Vanita Gupta, AG Eric Holder, Jeannie Rhee, Claudia Withers, Joe Davis, Dennis Corkery, Tony Lendez, Nidhi Rao, and Joanne Lin

2024 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon

The 2024 Wiley Branton Awards Luncheon was a huge success. Thank you to our awardees, pro bono partners, associate fundraisers, sponsors, and other generous donors. Videos from the event can be viewed on our YouTube channel. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon on May 28, 2025!

Virtual Panel on Civil Rights & Liberties Affecting Asian Pacific Americans

In case you missed our virtual panel celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, you can now watch the recording and listen to the conversation between our panelists:

Shoba Wadhia, Officer for Civil Rights and Liberties, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Joanna Derman, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC
Aman Sidhu, Winston & Strawn
Joanne Lin, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

The recording can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

Welcome, New WLC Board Members!

Stacey Grigsby (Covington)

Stacey Grigsby returns to Covington as a seasoned expert in both the government and private sectors. Her recent tenure as Deputy White House Counsel saw her advise on a range of civil rights issues and closely collaborate with senior DOJ officials on high-profile litigation, legislation, and regulatory matters. She co-chairs Covington’s Government Litigation practice, bringing her extensive experience in commercial and government litigation to the board.

Gooch Patnaik (Desmarais)

Gooch Patnaik is a distinguished partner at Desmarais LLP, specializing in intellectual property litigation. His expertise particularly shines in patent and trademark disputes, with a strong focus on Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission (ITC). Patnaik's leadership in complex IP matters supports innovators facing critical challenges in technology and commercial sectors.

Jonathan Su (Latham)

Jonathan Su is a seasoned attorney who has served in pivotal roles within the U.S. government and private practice. He recently rejoined Latham & Watkins as a partner, where he co-leads the firm’s Congressional investigations practice. Jonathan's extensive background includes serving as Deputy White House Counsel to President Biden, Special Counsel to President Obama, and as a federal prosecutor. His expertise encompasses high-stakes investigations and controversy matters, making him a critical asset in navigating complex legal landscapes.

Debra Belott (Jones Day)

Debra Belott is a trial lawyer with experience in complex and fast-paced litigation across a range of industries. She is the administrative partner for the Business & Tort Litigation Practice at Jones Day, co-founder of Jones Day's Black Lawyers Group, and a member of the Washington Committee on Diversity. In 2023, In 2023, she and the Jones Day pro bono team received an award from WLC for their work on behalf of a student who resolved her claims against American University and Metropolitan Police Department officers.

Jay Williams (Orrick)

Jay Williams, a partner at Orrick, specializes in financial and fintech advisory, with a strong focus on enforcement and litigation counsel. His extensive experience includes representing clients before various U.S. regulators, such as the DOJ and CFPB, particularly on issues surrounding government-insured mortgages and consumer finance. Active in both community and professional circles, Jay has also been recognized for his contributions to the field, including his pro bono work and participation in significant legal cases involving complex electronic discovery.

Reach Out to Us

Ryan Downer ✉ Legal Director
Joanne Lin ✉ Executive Director

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee works to create legal, economic and social equity through litigation, client and public education and public policy advocacy.

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