Deborah Archer
Deborah N. Archer is Associate Dean for Experiential Education and Clinical Programs, the Margaret B. Hoppin Professor of Law, and Faculty Director of the Community Equity Initiative at NYU School of Law. Deborah is also the President of the ACLU, the first person of color to serve in that role in the organization’s history, and a nationally recognized expert on civil liberties, civil rights, and racial justice. Deborah is an award-winning teacher and legal scholar whose articles have appeared in leading law reviews and national publications, and she has offered commentary for national and international media. Prior to fulltime teaching, Deborah worked as an attorney with the ACLU and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., where she litigated in the areas of voting rights, employment discrimination, educational equity, and school desegregation. Deborah also previously served as Chair of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, the nation’s oldest and largest police oversight agency.
Recent recognition of Deborah’s contributions to civil rights and racial justice advocacy and scholarship include elections to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Law Institute; the Smith College Medal, the highest honor Smith College awards to an alum; the National NAACP William Robert Ming Advocacy Award; the Arabella Mansfield Award from the National Association of Women Lawyers; and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Seattle University.
Deborah is also the author of the national best-selling book Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality.
Recent recognition of Deborah’s contributions to civil rights and racial justice advocacy and scholarship include elections to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Law Institute; the Smith College Medal, the highest honor Smith College awards to an alum; the National NAACP William Robert Ming Advocacy Award; the Arabella Mansfield Award from the National Association of Women Lawyers; and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Seattle University.
Deborah is also the author of the national best-selling book Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality.
