Debo Adegbile facts for kids

Debo Patrick Adegbile (born in December 1966) is an American lawyer. He works in private practice and is also a Commissioner for the United States Civil Rights Commission. This commission works to protect the civil rights of all Americans.

Before this, he was nominated to be the United States Assistant Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. This job involves making sure everyone's rights are protected by law. However, the Senate did not approve his nomination. A group called the Fraternal Order of Police strongly disagreed with a legal paper he filed. This paper argued that there was unfairness in choosing the jury for a trial.

Adegbile also worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. This organization uses the law to fight for civil rights. He also served as a senior lawyer for the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

On December 15, 2016, the White House chose Adegbile for the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This position did not need approval from the Senate.

Early Life and Education

Debo Adegbile was born in New York City. His full name is Adebowale Patrick Akande Adegbile. His father was from Nigeria, and his mother was an immigrant from Ireland. He was raised by his mother.

When he was a child, Adegbile was an actor on the TV show Sesame Street. He played a character named Debo for nine years during the 1970s.

He studied at Lehman College in 1986 and 1987. He then earned his bachelor's degree from Connecticut College in 1991. Later, he earned a law degree (called a J.D.) from New York University School of Law in 1994.

Professional Career as a Lawyer

After finishing law school, Adegbile started working as a lawyer. He worked at several different law firms. These included Solin & Breindel, Morrison & Foerster, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He worked in their litigation departments, which handle lawsuits.

In 2001, Adegbile joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. He held many important roles there over the years. He was an assistant counsel, then director of litigation, and even acting president for a time.

In 2008, Adegbile argued his first case in front of the United States Supreme Court. He was defending the Voting Rights Act. This law helps protect the right of all citizens to vote.

Considered for a Judge Role

In 2011, there was talk that President Obama might nominate Adegbile to be a judge. He was considered for a position on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This is a very important court. The White House even asked the American Bar Association to check his qualifications. However, his name was not officially submitted for the role.

Nomination for Assistant Attorney General

In 2013, Adegbile began working for the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. He was a senior lawyer focusing on new laws.

On November 18, 2013, President Obama nominated Adegbile for a big job. He was chosen to be the United States Assistant Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. This division works to protect the civil rights of all people in the United States.

Some U.S. Senators from both political parties had concerns about Adegbile. This was because he had signed a legal paper related to the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal was found guilty in 1982 of murdering a police officer.

Adegbile and other lawyers filed a legal brief in 2009. They argued that Abu-Jamal's conviction was unfair. They believed there was racial discrimination when the jury was chosen. This legal argument was unsuccessful.

In January 2014, Adegbile's nomination was sent back to President Obama. The President nominated him again within a few days.

On February 6, 2014, the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary voted to send his nomination to the full Senate. The vote was 10–8, mostly along party lines.

On March 5, 2014, the U.S. Senate voted on Adegbile's nomination. They failed to approve him in a 47–52 vote. All Republican Senators voted against him. Seven Democratic Senators also voted no. This included Senator Bob Casey, Jr. from Pennsylvania, where the case had happened.

On September 15, 2014, Adegbile announced he was no longer seeking the Assistant Attorney General job. He decided to go into private law practice instead. He joined the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.

Appointment to Civil Rights Commission

On December 15, 2016, President Barack Obama appointed Debo P. Adegbile to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This role helps ensure that civil rights are protected for everyone in the country.

Personal Life

Debo Adegbile's first name, "Adebowale," means "crown comes home" in the Yoruba language. He is married to Susan Haskell-Adegbile. They live in New York City with their two daughters, Sela and Devan.