7/13/2010
Harry Deitzler, a fixture in West Virginia law, politics and civic life, has been elected president of the Public Justice Foundation, one of the country’s best known national public interest law firms. Deitzler was elected July 11 in Vancouver, B.C., at the organization’s annual meeting.
A one-time Democratic candidate for state attorney general, Deitzler currently sits on the Charleston City Council, where he is vice chairman of the Public Safety Committee. A former Wood County prosecutor, Deitzler joined Charleston’s Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler law firm as a partner in 1991.
In addition to his successful representation of victims of negligence, defective products, unsafe workplaces, pollution and vehicular accidents, Deitzler is known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Kathe, established the Deitzler Foundation, Inc., a decade ago, providing support to more than 50 community organizations, charities and schools throughout West Virginia.
As president of the Public Justice Foundation, he will help direct the organization’s nationwide efforts to secure court access and justice in civil rights and civil liberties, environmental protection, consumers’ rights, and workers’ rights.
Four other attorneys were elected as officers of the Public Justice Foundation at the July 11th annual meeting: President-Elect Steven E. Fineman of New York City; Vice President Jack Landskroner of Cleveland, Ohio; Treasurer Ted Leopold of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; and Secretary Esther Berezofsky of Cherry Hill, N.J.
Five attorneys were elected to the organization’s Executive Committee: Alan R. Brayton of Novato, Calif.; Wayne Hogan of Jacksonville, Fla.; Anne McGinness Kearse of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; and Robert L. Sachs, Jr., of Philadelphia, Pa.
In addition, 21 attorneys were elected or re-elected to the Public Justice Foundation Board of Directors: Benjamin L. Bailey of Charleston, W.Va.; Joan B. Claybrook of Washington, D.C.; Ingrid M. Evans of San Francisco, Calif.; Andrew S. Friedman of Phoenix, Ariz.; Stephen J. Herman of New Orleans, La; Neville L. Johnson of Beverly Hills, Calif;; Rhon E. Jones of Montgomery, Ala.; Taras Kick of Los Angeles, Calif ; Andrew A. Lemmon of Hahnville, La.; Stanley J. Marks of Phoenix, Ariz.; David J. Marshall of Washington, D.C.; Paul Miller of Toronto, Canada; Christopher T. Nace of Washington, D.C.; Michael L. Pitt of Royal Oak, Mich.; Donald H. Slavik of Milwaukee, Wisc.; Bernard W. Smalley of Philadelphia, Pa.; Kenneth M. Suggs of Columbia, S.C.; Tara D. Sutton of Minneapolis, Minn; James F. Szaller of Cleveland, Ohio; Michael P. Thornton of Boston, Mass.; and Janet R. Varnell of The Villages, Fla.