John D. Trasviña facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John D. Trasviña
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| Born | 1958 (age 66–67) |
| Alma mater | Harvard University Stanford Law School |
| Occupation | Attorney former dean of the University of San Francisco School of Law |
John David Trasviña is a lawyer who works to protect people's rights. He used to be the dean (the head) of the University of San Francisco School of Law. Before that, he held important jobs in the United States government. He worked as an assistant secretary for fair housing, helped lead a group called the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), and was a special lawyer for immigration issues at the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2021, he became a top legal advisor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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John Trasviña's Journey and Work
Trasviña grew up in San Francisco, California. He went to Lowell High School and then studied at Harvard University and Stanford Law School. His work has always focused on making sure people are treated fairly. This includes civil rights (basic rights for everyone), voting rights, immigration policy (rules about people moving to a new country), and worker rights.
Early Career Steps
After finishing law school in 1983, Trasviña started as a lawyer for the city of San Francisco. From 1985 to 1987, he worked for MALDEF in Washington, D.C. MALDEF is a group that helps Mexican Americans with legal and educational issues.
Later, he moved to Capitol Hill, where the U.S. Congress meets. He worked for Senator Paul Simon from 1987 to 1997. He helped the Senator with legal advice and managed staff for a Senate committee that focused on civil rights.
Working for the U.S. Government
During the time Bill Clinton was president, Trasviña was appointed to a special role at the U.S. Department of Justice in 1997. He became the Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices. This meant he helped people who faced unfair treatment at work because of their immigration status. He also worked as a deputy assistant attorney general, helping with laws and government relations.
After leaving the Department of Justice in 2001, he directed a research center and taught at Stanford Law School. He then returned to MALDEF in 2006, this time as its president and general counsel.
In 2009, Barack Obama, who was president at the time, chose Trasviña for a big job. He became the assistant secretary of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination in May 2009. This role meant he worked to make sure everyone had fair access to housing, no matter their background.
Leading a Law School
In May 2013, Trasviña was chosen to be the dean of the University of San Francisco School of Law. He started this role in June 2013 and finished his term in June 2018. As dean, he was in charge of the law school.
Community Involvement and Awards
John Trasviña has also been very active in his community. He has served on many boards and commissions, helping different groups and causes.
- He was a member of the San Francisco Elections Commission.
- He led the Harvard Club of San Francisco.
- He served on the boards of groups like the La Raza Lawyers Association, CORO of Northern California, and the Lowell High School Alumni Association (where he became president in 2016).
- He also helped the League of Women Voters, the Pacific Coast Immigration Museum, and the Campaign for College Opportunity.
He has also been involved with Hispanic and Asian Pacific American legal and community groups.
Hispanic Business magazine once named him one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States. He has received awards for his excellent work in the legal field and for his distinguished service to the community.
