Lia Epperson facts for kids

Lia Beth Epperson, born in 1971 or 1972, is an American lawyer and professor. She teaches law at American University Washington College of Law. She used to be a senior leader at the law school.

From 2001 to 2005, Epperson worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. There, she led efforts related to education and legal cases. Her work often focuses on how federal courts and education rules affect different races. She has also written important legal papers for the Supreme Court of the United States. These papers were about fairness in education and other laws.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Pittsburgh

Lia Epperson grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has a sister named Sharon Epperson. Her father, Dr. David E. Epperson, was a dean at the University of Pittsburgh. He was the first African-American dean at the school. He worked there for almost 30 years. Lia's mother was a first-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Pittsburgh.

College and Law School

Epperson went to Harvard University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. She graduated with high honors. At Harvard, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha. This was the first sorority for African-American women. Her sister, Sharon, was also a member.

Later, Epperson attended Stanford University School of Law. She earned her law degree in 1998. While at Stanford, she helped edit the Stanford Law Review. Before graduating, she worked at the Children's Defense Fund. She became a lawyer in California in 1999.

Career as a Lawyer and Professor

Early Legal Work

After law school, Epperson worked for a judge named Timothy K. Lewis. He was part of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Later, Epperson and Lewis worked together on a group called The Constitution Project.

In 1991, Epperson started working at a law firm called Morrison & Foerster. She handled cases about business and civil rights. She also helped Big Brothers Big Sisters in San Francisco. From 2001 to 2005, she led education cases for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Teaching Law

Epperson began teaching law in 2005. She became a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law. She taught about constitutional law until 2010. While there, she helped with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California.

From 2008 to 2010, Epperson was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. She researched how federal civil rights laws were used in education. She also taught at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2009 and 2010.

In 2010, Epperson joined American University Washington College of Law. She has held important roles there. She was the director of a special law program. She also served as a senior leader for the faculty and academic programs. In 2022, she received an award for excellent teaching.

Public Appearances

Epperson has appeared on C-SPAN many times. She has talked about important Supreme Court cases. She also discussed how public schools can become more integrated. As of January 2025, she is a member of the national board for the American Civil Liberties Union.

Personal Life

Lia Epperson, Benjamin Jealous, and their child in 2008

Lia Epperson married Benjamin Jealous in July 2002. He used to be the head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). They met in 1993 when Epperson took over his internship at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Epperson and Jealous have two children together. They divorced in 2015. However, they remain friends and work together to raise their children. Lia Epperson's sister is Sharon Epperson, a reporter for CNBC.

Honors and Awards

In 2013, Lia Epperson was the Honorary Chair for the Women in NAACP program. This was at the NAACP National Convention.

See also

• NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund