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Shirlethia Franklin

Litigator, Jones Day; Former Senior Official, U.S. Department of Justice

Eradicate Hate:
2021

Shirlethia Franklin is an experienced litigator and former senior U.S. Department of Justice official. She litigates complex civil cases and handles disputes involving the federal government.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Franklin was a senior litigation associate in the Atlanta office of a multinational law firm and defended major clients in product liability, mass/toxic tort, and class action matters. She also had a substantial pro bono practice and was honored as a 2012 Volunteer of the Year by the Truancy Intervention Project.

Most recently, Franklin was Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. In these roles, she counseled two Attorneys General on significant law enforcement issues and high-profile environmental matters — including the $20 billion settlement of civil claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill — and spearheaded key domestic policy initiatives.  Franklin was frequently called upon to navigate complex relationships throughout the executive branch, giving her unique insight into the inner workings of the federal government.

Franklin was also a member of the 2013-2014 Class of White House Fellows — one of the nation’s most prestigious fellowships for leadership and public service — and previously served on the board of directors for the White House Fellows Foundation and Association.

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It is a tragic reality that hateful ideology has found fertile ground online and offline, with consequences affecting not only Americans but people around the world. We cannot stand idle in the face of bias, bigotry, and extremism. Together, at the Eradicate Hate Summit and beyond, the collective will of individuals and organizations is needed to galvanize all people of good will to protect and defend our communities.

George Selim
George Selim Senior Vice President for National Affairs, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)