Public Counsel Celebrates Nomination of Its Former President & CEO Hernan Vera to Federal District Court by President Biden
Hernán Vera Served as Public Counsel’s President & CEO from 2008-2014
LOS ANGELES, CA — Public Counsel is celebrating yesterday’s announcement by President Biden that he will nominate a diverse group for federal judgeships, including Hernán Vera, Public Counsel’s former president & CEO. Vera joined Public Counsel in 2002 as directing attorney of its Consumer Law Project and served as its President and CEO from 2008-2014. He is currently a judge for the LA County Superior Court in California and is one of three new Latino nominees named by Biden for the federal bench.
“For nearly thirteen years, Hernán Vera provided skillful leadership and passionate service to Public Counsel’s clients and staff,” said Jonathan Anschell, Chair of Public Counsel’s Board of Directors, and Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Mattel, Inc. “Not only will Judge Vera provide a well-balanced viewpoint as a federal judge, but he is also a wonderful person and good friend to many of us. We couldn’t be happier for him, and we are thrilled that President Biden is prioritizing diverse backgrounds in this group of nominees.”
“Hernán Vera was a trailblazer during his time at Public Counsel for his vision to expand the scope and reach of our work,” said Mónica Ramírez Almadani, Public Counsel’s President & CEO and holder of the Helen & Morgan Chu CEO Distinguished Chair. “I draw inspiration from his work and leadership and know that he will bring a valuable perspective and insight to the federal bench.”
During Vera’s tenure as president and CEO of Public Counsel, the organization more than doubled in size to 130 staff and more than 3,000 volunteers annually helping people in need. Vera also led the creation of an impact litigation department headed by veteran litigators Catherine Lhamon and later Mark Rosenbaum to address economic injustice and launched a national program to represent veterans. The incredible growth under Vera’s leadership was matched by an expansion in Public Counsel’s core work of providing free legal help to those in need with the support of the nation’s largest law firms, leading corporations, and top law schools.
President Biden has selected Vera to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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Public Counsel is the nation’s largest provider of pro bono legal services. Founded in 1970, Public Counsel utilizes an innovative legal model to bring justice, hope, and opportunity to underserved communities in Los Angeles and across the nation. Through groundbreaking civil rights litigation, advocacy and policy change, and direct legal services that help thousands of low-income people every year, Public Counsel has fought to secure equal justice and opportunity for all for more than 50 years.
