WASHINGTON — The National Legal Aid & Defender Association joins the legal and client advocacy community in honoring the life and legacy of Rosita Stanley, NLADA Vice Chairperson who passed on June 3, 2025. Ms. Stanley was a fierce, lifelong advocate for equity and justice.
“Rosita Stanley was a cherished member of our community, who had enormous impact on the NLADA and the people we serve,” said April Frazier Camara, NLADA President and CEO. “Her passionate, tireless advocacy made us better by centering the voice of low income and vulnerable communities. We are heartbroken at her passing, but we will continue her legacy in our work at NLADA.”
A leader who collaborated with Georgia Legal Services and the Georgia civil legal aid community for more than three decades, her passion, dedication and commitment to justice for low income and vulnerable communities led her to the national equal justice arena, where she worked with the Office of Economic Opportunity and the National Clients Council. A savvy, strategic, visionary leader who was brilliant in developing new ideas and structures that are sustainable in advancing equal justice, Ms. Stanley helped create the National Organization of Client Advocates, and later, NLADA’s Client Section.
“Rosita Stanley was a force of nature, who never wavered in her fight for and deep commitment to justice for all,” said Rhodia Thomas, Former NLADA Board Chair and Executive Director of MidPenn Legal Services. “She was a mentor and friend to many, all who benefited from her guiding light, laughter, and love. Long may her memory be honored for her visionary and strategic leadership.”
Ms. Stanley was a central figure on the NLADA Board of Directors for many decades, who served as the Client Vice Chair for much of that time. Her lengthy tenure in that leadership role reflected the degree to which she was a moral compass for NLADA’s work; Ms. Stanley’s north star was always to center the voice and experience of people experiencing poverty and to hold systems – especially civil legal aid and public defense systems -- accountable for the treatment of those who are most vulnerable in our society. She brought this principle to every conversation and project that she worked on with NLADA.
“She was my best friend, and she was the best advocate I ever met”, said Clint Lyons, Former President and CEO of NLADA and Former President of NLADA Service Corporation.
Ms. Stanley was active in NLADA policy work, advocating for the abolishment of the LSC restrictions and barriers to racial and economic equity. She contributed to innumerable program activities, including key initiatives, such as a Client Leadership Institute, a leadership training program to build client advocates’ leadership skills. She also played a pivotal role in the creation of the NLADA Insurance Program, now NLADA Mutual Insurance Co. RRG, America’s equal justice insurance and risk management firm.
“Rosita was an extraordinary ambassador for NLADA and for equal justice,” said Jo-Ann Wallace, NLADA Mutual President and CEO.” She was a mentor and sage advisor, and more than that, she was our dear friend, who cared about our lives as well as our leadership, who supported us, who sometimes admonished us, but who loved us and who we loved. Her passion for justice and compassion for people made an immeasurable impact. She will be dearly missed.”
Ms. Stanley was a leader of leaders. She was an invaluable partner in building informed decision making at the board level that impacted all components of the organization, and her deep knowledge of humanity garnered her respect from all of her board colleagues.
She quickly became a trusted friend and confidante to the respective board chairs — including playing an essential role in the selection of the organization’s presidents — and to each of NLADA’s and the NLADA Insurance Program’s successive presidents during her Board tenure who relied on her political acumen, parliamentarian knowledge, and historical perspectives on poverty and justice to provide sage advice. She was the embodiment of courage who encouraged us to hold on to our values no matter what the challenge.
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The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America's oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local levels, playing a leadership role in the creation of public defender systems and other important institutions from The Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
