On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, I am excited and proud to announce that, after conducting a nationwide search, the Board by unanimous vote has appointed Amber W. Harding as the new Executive Director.

Amber has been a committed and highly effective member of the Legal Clinic staff for almost 20 years, since the beginning of her legal career.  After obtaining her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, Amber began serving at the Legal Clinic as an Equal Justice Works Fellow, eventually founding and directing the David M. Booth Disability Rights Initiative.  Over the years, among many other efforts, Amber has litigated numerous federal disability rights lawsuits, represented countless individuals experiencing homelessness to protect and enforce their legal rights, led multiple, effective legislative campaigns for stronger legal rights in homeless services programs, spearheaded successful annual budget campaigns before the D.C. Council for greater local investment in deeply affordable housing and other programs for low-income residents, and headed a coalition focused on reducing barriers to housing for low-income applicants by securing legislative protections for people with criminal records, a broad eviction records sealing law, and fair tenant screening standards.

Immediately before being appointed as Executive Director, Amber served as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Legal Clinic.  For several years, she has been a primary spokesperson for the Legal Clinic, often speaking with the press and elected officials, and testifying on many occasions before the D.C. Council.  She is also an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center, co-teaching the Homelessness, Poverty and Legal Advocacy Seminar. Amber has also received numerous awards over the years for her advocacy.

The Legal Clinic envisions a just and inclusive community for all residents of the District of Columbia, where housing is a human right and where every individual and family has equal access to the resources they need to thrive.  Our mission is to use the law to make that justice a reality for our neighbors who struggle with homelessness and poverty.  Amber’s long, incredibly strong commitment to the Legal Clinic’s mission will serve to further strengthen the services the Legal Clinic provides to our clients.  We look forward to many years of fighting for justice with Amber at the helm.

Jim Rocap, Board President

November 1, 2022