Sherrilyn Ifill: Civil Rights Leader & Legal Scholar

Sherrilyn Ifill is recognized by the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter during Women’s History Month for her extraordinary contributions to civil rights, constitutional law, and legal scholarship. A nationally respected advocate and longtime Maryland resident, Ifill has dedicated her career to advancing racial justice, empowering communities, and protecting democratic institutions through legal and academic leadership.

In 2024, Ifill launched the 14th Amendment Center for Law & Democracy at Howard University School of Law, where she serves as the Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., Esq—endowed Chair in Civil Rights. Her efforts to defend voting rights, expose systemic inequality, and uplift marginalized communities have made her one of the most influential legal minds of her generation.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the FBA Maryland Chapter is proud to spotlight Ifill’s impactful legacy. Her voice continues to shape civil rights law, inspire future legal professionals, and move the country closer to equal justice under the law.

Legal Education and Early Civil Rights Work

Sherrilyn Ifill built a robust legal foundation rooted in both scholarship and frontline civil rights litigation. Born in New York City in 1962, she was the youngest of ten children in a Barbadian American family. Ifill earned her A.B. in English from Vassar College in 1984 before receiving her J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1987. Shortly after, she joined the American Civil Liberties Union as a Fellow and then became an Assistant Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF).

At the LDF, Ifill litigated major voting rights cases, including Houston Lawyers' Association v. Attorney General of Texas, which extended Voting Rights Act protections to judicial elections. Her work helped secure voting access for underrepresented communities and reshaped how civil rights protections applied at the state level. Her advocacy during this era signaled her lifelong commitment to dismantling barriers to democratic participation.

In 1993, Ifill transitioned into academia by joining the University of Maryland School of Law faculty. There, she co-founded one of the country’s first legal clinics focused on eliminating legal barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals. This groundbreaking initiative brought civil rights advocacy into legal education and practical reform.

Leading the Legal Defense Fund and National Advocacy

The next chapter in the career of Sherrilyn Ifill began in 2013, when she returned to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund as its seventh President and Director-Counsel. During her nearly decade-long leadership, the organization expanded its litigation, public education, and legislative advocacy around racial justice. Her tenure was marked by a dramatic increase in LDF’s visibility and national influence, particularly in cases involving voter suppression, criminal justice reform, and school equity.

Ifill became a trusted voice during some of the most turbulent moments in recent U.S. history. Her measured analysis and impassioned public commentary positioned her as a leading authority on racial justice and constitutional law. Under her guidance, the LDF filed high-impact lawsuits, submitted amicus briefs in landmark Supreme Court cases, and worked with lawmakers to defend the integrity of voting rights and equal protection under the law.

Her work did not stop at litigation. Ifill’s contributions extended to thought leadership in print and broadcast media, offering clear-eyed guidance during national debates on race, law, and democracy. Her ability to translate complex legal challenges into actionable advocacy made her a defining figure of 21st-century civil rights leadership.

Legal Scholarship, Public Thought Leadership, and Honors

In addition to her legal practice, Sherrilyn Ifill has made an indelible mark as a public scholar and author. Her 2007 book, On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the 21st Century, is credited with opening a national dialogue on the historical trauma of racial violence. The book has become a foundational text for understanding how racial terror shapes public memory and policy in modern America.

She is currently working on a new book titled Is This America?, which addresses systemic racism and the crisis facing American democracy. Ifill’s writing—spanning law journals, op-eds, and books—reveals her ability to integrate legal theory with real-world social critique, bringing civil rights law into urgent, contemporary focus.

Her work has been widely recognized. She has received honorary degrees from institutions nationwide and earned the Thurgood Marshall Award from the American Bar Association, the Brandeis Medal, and the New York State Bar Association’s Gold Medal. TIME Magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2021.

These honors reflect not only the breadth of Ifill’s accomplishments but the deep respect she commands across the legal and civic landscape.

Celebrating Sherrilyn Ifill During Women's History Month

Sherrilyn Ifill continues to shape the future of civil rights law through her scholarship, institutional leadership, and fierce advocacy. From her landmark voting rights litigation to her presidency at the Legal Defense Fund and now her work at Howard University, she has used every platform available to defend civil liberties and mentor the next generation of legal leaders.

Ifill’s legacy is one of courage, intellect, and unwavering commitment to racial and social justice. Her work transcends any single institution, embodying the principles of justice, dignity, and equality that Women’s History Month seeks to honor.

The Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter proudly celebrates Sherrilyn Ifill as part of its Women’s History Month recognition. To discover more stories like hers and stay informed about upcoming events celebrating women in law, visit the Federal Bar Association Maryland Chapter events page.