Title: Executive Director
Company: National Center for Law and Economic Justice
Location: Ossining, New York, United States
Dennis D. Parker, executive director of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in legal services.
With nearly four and a half decades of experience, Mr. Parker has established a successful career in legal services, specializing in civil rights litigation, racial and economic justice, and education law. Since 2019, he has served as executive director of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice. His experience includes serving as director of the racial justice program at the American Civil Liberties Union from 2006 to 2019, chief of the civil rights bureau for the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 2003 to 2006, and director of education litigation for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund from 1989 to 2003. He also worked as associate counsel at Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard from 1988 to 1989, associate counsel for the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct from 1986 to 1988, assistant attorney general in the New York State Attorney General’s Office civil rights bureau from 1983 to 1986, and staff attorney with the New York Legal Aid Society’s criminal defense division from 1980 to 1983. He also dedicates his time as an adjunct professor at NYU Law School in the fall and at Teacher’s College, Columbia University in the spring, while also engaging as a speaker at the University of Maine Law School.
Laying a solid educational foundation, Mr. Parker earned a Bachelor of Arts in American literature from Middlebury College in 1977, a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1980, and is admitted to the New York State Bar. He is also involved with several organizations, including serving as a board member for the Legal Civil Rights Pipe Work, Westchester Residential Opportunities, and the Poverty and Race Research Action Council. He is also active with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, the school segregation committee, and the judicial selection committee in New York. His impressive undertakings have earned recognition and awards from various law schools and organizations.
Reflecting on his path, Mr. Parker takes great pride in his involvement in a landmark case in Connecticut’s legal history concerning the desegregation of Hartford and surrounding suburban school districts, a case he began working on during his tenure at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Throughout his career, his work has consistently focused on addressing issues of racial justice across education, housing, employment, and police misconduct. Additionally, he has contributed to the field through writing, legal casework, and testifying before legislatures, Congress, and the United Nations on these matters. Looking to the future, he remains committed to sharing his knowledge as a mentor and through writing, and to continuing his legacy of advocating for social justice inside and outside of the office.
For more information, please visit:
National Center for Law and Economic Justice – Dennis D. Parker
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