INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Nancy Abudu, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 14 meeting of the Democratic Women’s Club (DWC) of Indian River County.
Citing several significant lawsuits won by the ACLU in recent months against the state of Florida, Abudu will discuss “Civil Liberties and the Courts” and answer questions on these successes, as well as new challenges awaiting ACLU cases in 2015.
Since Gov. Rick Scott’s election in 2010, the ACLU of Florida has filed 12 lawsuits against the state and secured 11 wins, with the 12th case pending.
Prior to joining the Florida affiliate, Abudu served as senior counsel with the ACLU Voting Rights Project, where she litigated cases in federal and state courts and provided legal advice to ACLU chapters and cooperating attorneys throughout the country. Compelling issues were felon disfranchisement, laws pertaining to photo identification and proof of citizenship, redistricting, and general enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Abudu earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and her juris doctor from Tulane Law School, where she was honored for her work on the Tulane Environment Law Journal.
Her professional background includes work with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, and as an associate with Skadden, Arps in New York. She also served as an extern at the Legal Aid Society of New York representing victims of domestic violence, and has testified at the United Nations on human rights issues.
Saturday’s DWC luncheon meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Quilted Giraffe, 500 South U.S. Highway 1 in Vero Beach. Cost is $20 and reservations are required; email DemLunch@aol.com.