FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOENIX—Kathy Brody has joined the ACLU of Arizona as the organization’s legal director. Brody comes to the ACLU from Osborn Maledon, P.A., where she was a partner in the firm’s litigation group.
Brody will oversee the ACLU of Arizona’s litigation docket of more than 20 cases, including challenges to Arizona’s civil asset forfeiture system, the conditions of detention in U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities in Southern Arizona, the racial profiling practices of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the unacceptable treatment of prisoners by the Arizona Department of Corrections. The ACLU of Arizona’s cases are handled by four staff attorneys and dozens of collaborating attorneys.
“We are excited to have Kathy’s expertise guiding our expansive legal advocacy for a more just and equitable Arizona,” said ACLU of Arizona Executive Director Alessandra Soler. “I know Kathy will advance the ACLU’s effective presence in courtrooms across Arizona, and take our organization to the next level by strengthening our cutting-edge legal program in key strategic priority areas related to LGBTQ equality, immigrants’ rights, sentencing reform and educational equity.”
At Osborn Maledon, Brody’s practice focused on criminal defense, representing clients during all stages of criminal and regulatory proceedings, from investigation through post-appeal remedies. During her time at the firm, Brody collaborated with the ACLU of Arizona on two cases, handling matters related to reproductive freedom and immigrants’ rights.
“The ACLU has a remarkable history in Arizona and I’m proud to be part of the organization’s fight for liberty,” Brody said. “Unfortunately, Arizona has become an epicenter of unjust and biased laws and practices. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to lead the legal advocacy against these unconstitutional policies for Arizona’s oldest and largest civil liberties organization.”
Before joining Osborn Maledon in 2008, Brody was a law clerk to Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew D. Hurwitz. She is a member of the Ethics Committee of the Arizona State Bar and is the immediate past president for Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, a membership organization of criminal defense lawyers. Brody attended the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and received her bachelor’s degree, in archaeological studies, from Yale University.
The ACLU of Arizona will be hosting networking events in the coming months to introduce Brody to members of Arizona’s legal community.
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