ACLU of Alaska Announces Selection of Joshua Decker as Interim Executive Director

Affiliate to Conduct National Search to Replace Outgoing Director Jeffrey Mittman

May 9, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska announced today the selection of Joshua Decker to serve as interim executive director, effective May 22, 2013.

ACLU of Alaska President Donna Goldsmith says of Decker, “He brings to the table considerable litigation and organizational skills, clarity of vision, and a deep appreciation for, and commitment to, the bedrock principles found within our state and federal constitutions. In his new capacity as interim Executive Director, Joshua Decker will continue to be a tremendous asset to the ACLU of Alaska. I have every confidence that he will serve us well.”

Decker, who is a staff attorney for the ACLU of Alaska, has litigated cases relating to erasing criminal records that were caused by police misconduct, free speech rights in public places, protection of confidential organizational information, and other areas. Before joining the ACLU of Alaska, he spent four years at the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, where he represented rural, low-income and elderly individuals in a wide variety of civil cases, and one year as an associate in the New York City office of Clifford Chance US LLP. Decker earned his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was the executive editor of the Chicago Journal of International Law, and an avid participant in the civil rights and police accountability clinic. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, from which he graduated with honors in political science.

Decker stated, “Under the Board’s and Jeffrey’s leadership, the ACLU of Alaska has improved the lives of fellow Alaskans by protecting our important constitutional rights and civil liberties. I am honored to be the interim Executive Director and am excited to work even more closely with our committed members, passionate activists, and all Alaskans on defending our fundamental constitutional freedoms.”

Decker will replace Jeffrey Mittman, who leaves Alaska to continue his work with the ACLU in the Lower 48. ACLU of Alaska President Goldsmith stated, “The ACLU of Alaska cannot adequately thank Jeffrey Mittman for all that he has done for our organization, and for the State of Alaska, over the past 5 years. He joined the ACLU team when we were a fledgling organization, and with his incredible energy, strategic vision, and highly principled dedication to the civil liberties that we all hold dear, he helped the ACLU team become a powerful voice in Alaska’s legal and political landscape. While we will all miss him greatly, we wish him well in his new role. Upon his departure, the ACLU will begin a national search to find a new Executive Director who has the skills to help us expand our reach and effectiveness.”