WASHINGTON, DC, April 23, 2004 — The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) is pleased to announce the selection of Ross Shepard as the new director of Defender legal services, effective June 1. In this capacity, Shepard is responsible for overseeing the division and working closely with the NLADA president and CEO, Board of Directors and Policy Groups in ensuring the association’s mission is carried out.

Shepard previously served as the director of Public Defender Services of Lane County, Inc., in Eugene, Oregon, where he represented clients and oversaw a staff of public defenders. In addition, he worked as a legislative advocate for the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association on substantive and fiscal issues. Shepard is an active member of the NLADA American Council of Chief Defenders, the American Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar. He also has chaired numerous Lane County Bar Committees.

“On behalf of the NLADA Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Ross Shepard to the team,” said Clint Lyons, NLADA president and CEO. Ross’ credentials, accomplishments and experience will prove invaluable in ensuring equal access to justice for America’s indigent.”

# # #

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is the oldest and largest national, nonprofit membership organization devoting all of its resources to advocating equal access to justice for all Americans. NLADA champions effective legal assistance for people who cannot afford counsel, serves as a collective voice for both civil legal services and public defense services throughout the nation and provides a wide range of services and benefits to its individual and organizational members.