The National Center for Youth Law is thrilled to welcome back Jack W. Londen, a longtime civil rights advocate and nationally respected leader in access to justice, to its Board of Directors. Londen, whose previous lengthy term on the board ended in 2022, brings to NCYL nearly four decades of legal experience and an extraordinary record of public service.

Londen is a partner in the San Francisco office of Morrison & Foerster LLP, where for 39 years he has combined sophisticated commercial litigation with a deep and sustained commitment to pro bono work. Throughout his career, he has played a leading role in impact litigation and in cases serving individuals, communities, and nonprofit organizations. Notably, he served as co-lead counsel in Williams v. California, a landmark case that helped secure increased resources and accountability for public K-12 schools across California and advanced educational equity for millions of students.

“Jack’s career reflects an unwavering belief that the law can and must be a force for justice, especially for children and communities who are too often denied opportunity,” said Shakti Belway, NCYL’s Executive Director. “His leadership, integrity, and deep understanding of NCYL and the ways systems can be leveraged to advance equity will be an invaluable asset to NCYL as we continue to confront unjust policies head-on and advocate for the rights and well-being of young people throughout the U.S.”

In addition to his litigation work and past experience with NCYL, Londen has held numerous leadership roles at the state and national levels focused on civil rights, legal aid, and access to justice. He served as the third chair of the California Commission on Access to Justice, was co-chair of the national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and led Californians for Legal Aid during a successful campaign to defend public funding for legal aid organizations. He also served for many years as President of the Board of Directors of the Public Interest Clearinghouse (now OneJustice) and as President of the Consortium for the National Equal Justice Library.

Londen, who earned his law degree from Yale Law School and received his A.B. from Harvard College, has also been deeply engaged in advancing access to justice through the American Bar Association, where he is a member of the Council of the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section and has served on the ABA’s Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants and its Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service. He has testified before both the U.S. House and Senate on issues affecting the Legal Services Corporation.

From 2015 to 2016, he also served part-time as a policy consultant to the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, further deepening his experience at the intersection of education policy, equity, and federal systems.

Londen joins the NCYL governing board alongside President Sophie Fanelli, Vice President Denise Forte, Secretary Luis Vergara, Treasurer Mohammad Barkeshli, Alexander “Lex” Brainerd, Preetha Chakrabarti, June Dipchand, Mishaela Durán, Frank Figgers, Dr. Jason Okonofua, Lisa Rieger, Lori A. Schechter, and Sandeep Solanki. Visit here for more information about the board and its members.

The board’s collective insight, leadership, and commitment to justice will be vital as NCYL continues its tireless work of researching, developing and advancing policies and practices that ensure every child has their full and fair opportunity to grow, learn and thrive.

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The National Center for Youth Law centers youth through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation’s approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every child thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves.