SAN FRANCISCO–The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLU-NC) proudly announces that distinguished civil rights attorney Kelli M. Evans has joined the leadership of the organization as Associate Director. Evans' career as a civil rights attorney includes serving as federal court-appointed Monitor of the Oakland Police Department, as a senior trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and as an attorney in private practice. Evans' new position is a return to ACLU-NC. She previously served as staff attorney at the affiliate, with an emphasis on criminal justice, race discrimination, and LGBT rights.

As Associate Director, Evans oversees the Policy Department's four focused areas, the Racial Justice, Death Penalty, Technology & Civil Liberties and Police Practices Projects, as well as the San Jose Office and the Organizing and Community Affairs Department.

"Kelli brings invaluable expertise and experience in criminal justice issues, police practices, and civil rights to ACLU-NC," said Abdi Soltani, ACLU-NC's Executive Director. "Kelli has been a successful advocate on a range of critical issues across the country. I am delighted to welcome her back to the ACLU and look forward to working with her."

Evans has litigated a variety of civil rights issues, including employment discrimination, fair housing, and public accommodations, and has testified before the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Following her recent remarks to the San Francisco Police Commission regarding Tasers, the commission voted to reject the police department's proposal to adopt these devices.

"This is an incredibly exciting time to be at the ACLU," Evans said. "While threats to civil liberties and basic equality continue, there are also significant opportunities to make a real and lasting impact. The ACLU does this every single day and I feel enormously privileged to join it in the fight."

"Kelli left an indelible impression as a young staff attorney at ACLU-NC. That she is returning with a wealth of experience and national stature as a civil rights attorney is a tremendous boon to our office and to the cause of civil liberties and civil rights in the region," said Alan Schlosser, ACLU-NC Legal Director.

Evans received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her law degree from the University of California at Davis, where she was the recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Award for Public Service. Evans is a Harvard Law School Wasserstein Fellow and is on the board of Equal Rights Advocates. She has also served as a Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities.

Evans began her new position on February 22, 2010.

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The ACLU of Northern California is the country's largest ACLU affiliate with 53,000 members. For 75 years, ACLU-NC has been a leader in protecting and expanding civil liberties throughout the region.