Leading voting rights litigator and champion, and overall mensch, Gerry Hebert has passed away. (I had mentioned on this blog his illness last May and was glad to have had a chance to talk to him and learn how much he appreciated hearing from everyone during his illness.)

Here’s the Campaign Legal Center notice, where Gerry worked after a career that included both the DOJ and his work as a private attorney as “the Bailout King”):

Today, the democracy community lost one of its greatest leaders, J. Gerald (Gerry) Hebert, a fierce defender of voting rights and a titan of election law. Our thoughts today are with Gerry’s wife, Victoria, his children and grandchildren, and the many friends and colleagues who adored him.  

Gerry served as the executive director of CLC from 2004-2018, retiring from the organization in 2021. Under his leadership, CLC expanded its litigation practice and grew its staff and resources to increase the organization’s ability to advocate on behalf of voters.  

Gerry was deeply committed to mentoring young lawyers. In addition to serving as an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, he built a robust intern program at CLC that continues today. In 2015, Gerry also led CLC in creating the Voting Rights Institute (VRI), a partnership with the American Constitution Society and Georgetown Law. The institute provides opportunities for law students and graduates to learn how to litigate voting rights cases.  

Gerry Hebert speaking in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on June 24, 2009.

Gerry’s arrival at CLC in 2004 was preceded by an illustrious career at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he served as Acting Chief, Deputy Chief, and Special Litigation Counsel in the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division. While at the DOJ, Gerry served as the lead attorney in numerous voting rights and redistricting lawsuits, including several cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.  

CLC is profoundly grateful to Gerry for his service to American democracy, to voters, and to CLC and its mission. His legacy will continue to live on through the many students and colleagues he has trained to fight on behalf of voters.  

CLC staff will remember Gerry fondly for his wonderfully unique sense of humor and wit, his enthusiasm for life, his love of the law, his taste in wine, his ability to tell a great story, his musical talent, his dedication to his family, and his lifelong commitment to justice and equality.