Catherine Weiss Email & Phone Number

Manage and participate in pro bono practice at 300-attorney firm with long history of public service. Develop and maintain close, working relationships with national and state public interest organizations, government officials, and pro bono leaders in firms throughout the country. Directly represent diverse pro bono clients, especially at the appellate level. Attract cases and matters to the firm, place these matters, and monitor their progress to ensure that pro bono work meets highest professional standards. Speak publicly about the firm’s public interest practice.

Helped to manage and participated in pro bono practice.

Created and managed division of state government dedicated to protecting and advancing the public interest through a coordinated program of research, investigation, reporting, advocacy, and litigation. Worked on diverse issues including eminent domain reform, prevention of childhood lead poisoning, voting rights, affordable housing, and tenants’ rights during and following foreclosure. Participated in management of department as a whole, including coordination with other divisions.

Assisted in management of and fundraising to support staff working to bring the reality of representative democracy in the United States closer to the ideal. Directed legislative advocacy, litigation, and communications aimed at restoring voting rights to people with criminal convictions. Served as lead counsel in challenges to felony disenfranchisement laws and practices. Drafted legislation and counseled advocates on the restoration of voting rights to ex-offenders. Contributed to broader voting rights and election reform efforts.

Directed national project dedicated to advancing reproductive rights through litigation, public education, advocacy, and affiliate support. Raised funds for and managed an annual operating budget of over $1.5 million. Supervised staff, including litigators, public education specialists, and legislative analysts. Developed and maintained a nationwide docket of cases aimed at protecting reproductive rights. Directed public education and advocacy programs, including the publication of fact sheets, media advisories, resource kits, in-depth reports on policy issues, and state and federal legislative analyses. Worked with ACLU affiliates in fifty states to promote reproductive rights. Made regular public and media appearances to discuss a wide array of topics involving reproductive rights. Participated in the formation of joint strategies within the ACLU and with other national organizations.

J.D.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Political Theory

A.B., Political Science