It is with heartfelt sadness and a profound sense of loss that I learned today of the death of lawyer and civil rights advocate John A. Payton.  John was a good friend and colleague dating back to his earliest days at the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale & Dorr LLP. He served as a key Washington Lawyers’ Committee volunteer, Board Member, and Executive Committee Member for over 30 years, and as Co-Chair of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee Board of Directors in 1996-97. Throughout his exceptional career, he worked with us on many of our most significant cases and projects. In recent years, he had served as Director-Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

I know all Committee supporters join me in extending our deepest sympathies to John’s wife and family. He was a truly gifted advocate and leader who will be sorely missed.