Jerome L. Shestack, Immediatate Past President Of The American Bar Association, Named Chair Of American Jewish Committee's National Legal Committee

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 23 November 1998

Jerome L. Shestack of Philadelphia, immediate past president of the American Bar Association and longtime member of the Board of Governors of the American Jewish Committee, has been named chair of AJC's National Legal Committee.

In his new AJC post, Mr. Shestack will oversee the deliberations and proceedings of the Legal Committee, which reviews and determines the cases AJC will join as amicus or "friends of the court." Over the years, AJC has filed briefs -- in state and federal courts, up to and including the United States Supreme Court -- in numerous landmark cases involving, among other issues, church/state separation, religious liberty and civil rights.

Mr. Shestack, a prominent litigator, prolific writer, and tireless advocate for civil rights and human rights causes at home and around the world, has been named as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America by the National Law Journal.

In his distinguished career, he has served as the U.S. Representative on the UN Commission on Human Rights. Appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, Mr. Shestack headed the U.S. Delegation to the Commission meetings in Geneva in 1980. He served for eight years as President of the International League for Human Rights, and also served as chair of AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights.

Announcing the appointment, Bruce M. Ramer, AJC National President, said: "We are indeed fortunate to have one of the most eminent legal thinkers undertaking this very important agency position. Mr. Shestack brings with him invaluable skills, unparalleled experience, and profound insights into the most critical legal issues of our day."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org