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discuss how America came to arrive at its most The institute conducts research and targeted ad-
recent policing crisis, and discussing on MSNBC vocacy campaigns to advance the work of racial jus-
the need for transparency in the investigation tice at a time when it is needed more than ever.
into George Floyd’s death at the hands of Min- “She helped people see in their own mind’s eye
neapolis police. this picture that up until then didn’t exist,” Nelson
“To be in a room with Sherrilyn means you need says. “She’s not just a visionary but one who brings
to bring your A-game,” Pinard says, “because that is people along to see that vision with her.”
what she expects of you. The issues she works on are Given her ability to reach and inspire people,
too important. They are too critical for anybody to it’s no surprise that Ifill was a respected and pop-
show up and not give it their all.” ular member of the Maryland Carey Law faculty
Janai Nelson, associate director-counsel at the for close to 20 years. After starting her career as
LDF, shares a similar view of Ifill. a fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union,
“Sherrilyn has high expectations for the staff of the she joined the LDF as assistant counsel in 1988,
LDF and for the legal profession as a whole,” Nelson litigating voter rights issues for the organization
says. “She models a standard of until 1993, when she joined the
excellence that is extremely inspir- law school faculty.
ing. And she challenges everyone Taunya Banks, the Jacob A.
around her to match that excel- France Professor of Equality Ju-
lence. It isn’t about the competi- risprudence at the law school, says
tion but rather to advance a goal As one of the country’s Ifill is an “excellent” teacher and
that is bigger than all of us.” foremost advocates for “very much an advocate.”
racial justice, Sherrilyn
That drive to make both herself Ifill’s work took center “Certainly since before the time
and those around her better has stage in a year roiled by I knew her she has had that abil-
served Ifill and the LDF well, Nel- injustice. She is one of ity,” Banks says, “and she has re-
son says. The American Lawyer’s fined it even more.”

“She is supportive. She’s a cheer- Attorney of the Year Ifill taught civil procedure
leader,” Nelson says. “She identi- (“which is not a fun course,” Banks
fies strengths in the people around finalists. notes), but she made it interesting
her and seeks to develop them and
allow space for that growth.” enough to leave her mark on both
the students she taught and the
Ifill’s approach has allowed the faculty at the school.
LDF to flourish under her watch, “Culturally, politically and le-
which began in 2013. Her influ- gally she has been impactful on
ence is especially felt in the LDF’s Thurgood Mar- civil rights, and it has been a joy to watch that rise
shall Institute, a multidisciplinary center launched in over the past few decades,” says Eric Swalwell, the
2015 to complement the LDF’s traditional strength in Congressman for California’s 15th District. “I had
litigation. The institute was first conceived almost 25 the privilege of being one of her students. I remem-
years before Ifill helped bring the vision to fruition. ber she was one of the most challenging and engag-
“Sherrilyn had the foresight to see that research ing professors that I had.”
and public education really needed to have a more Swalwell says Ifill “challenged us to be prepared,”
solid infrastructure built around it,” Nelson says. because when it comes to civil and racial justice is-
“And that is the purpose of the Thurgood Marshall sues, the attorneys representing the disenfranchised
Institute. She dusted off the blueprints and helped are often the last line of defense.
breathe life into an idea and a concept that was ex- Ifill brings a multifaceted approach to her advo-
tremely difficult to wrap your mind around, both cacy, always pushing others to put their best foot
internally and externally.”
¦ Continued on PAGE 24

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