Page 70 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

DISTINGUISHED LEADERS

power with communities that had been ignored or mistreated
by government in the past and were facing active threats from
government in the current moment. Our city has a particularly
important role to play in this respect. People who are skepti-
cal of multiracial democracy often like to misrepresent what
happens here. They like to stoke fears about what happens
when people of color constitute a majority, when communities
of color exercise political power and when policy priorities
begin to shift accordingly. But the truth is, New Yorkers are
engaged in an imperfect and evolving process of democracy
that many other Americans could learn from, and I’m glad
to have played a role.
The achievements that stand out the most are those that
broke new ground at the city and provided models for other
jurisdictions.

Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired you.
I have to do two. I had the privilege of working closely with
Maya D. Wiley while at the Center for Social Inclusion (now
“Race Forward”) and again at the Office of the Mayor’s Council.
Maya is truly prescient. The racial justice analysis she offered
and the policy approaches we fought for in 2009 when we
first worked together are now more broadly understood and
accepted, which is gratifying. I also have to name Carmelyn
P. Malalis, my former boss at the Commission and another
friend and a mentor. Carmelyn is someone who always asks,
“How can I have an impact here?” and “How can I help others
to lead?” I joined the Commission because I knew she shared
my commitment to racial justice, and I saw that commitment
BRITTNY borne out over and over again.

JADE How are the business and profession of law changing, and
how should lawyers adapt for the future? I can’t help but
think of the changes in the legal profession in connection with
SAUNDERS the tremendous changes that we face as a nation. Ongoing
challenges around racial equity, climate change, LGBTQIA+
rights, the future of our democracy and more aren’t exclu-
sively legal problems, but they are problems where lawyers
Deputy Commissioner can offer support for solutions if they can act with humil-
For Strategic Initiatives at New York City ity, creativity and flexibility. So I would encourage other
lawyers to ask themselves what they can contribute in this
Commission on Human Rights moment.

What is the best advice for someone considering a career
in law, or someone already in the profession who is seek-
What are some of your proudest recent achievements? ing to make a greater impact? It may be trite to say that
there are many different ways to use one’s legal training, but
I am incredibly proud of what I was able to it also happens to be true. So once you’ve exposed yourself
to different approaches—whether traditional or not—reflect
accomplish while working with the New York
a bit on the type of work that brings you joy and fulfillment.
City Commission on Human Rights. My time
at the agency coincided with the previous
presidential administration. We worked hard And then build on that instinct. You won’t necessarily be able
to plot each step from day one, but as you move along, new
to demonstrate that we could serve and share directions and possibilities will become clearer.

68 October 2021 | Photo: Ryland West/ALM