William
Roberts

Senior Vice President, Rights and Justice

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William Roberts

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William J. Roberts is the senior vice president for Rights and Justice at American Progress, where he leads the organization’s crosscutting work on bold, large-scale policy solutions that advance rights, justice, and equity and seize the current opportunity to build a better America where all people have an equal opportunity to thrive. Roberts has had a long career in and out of government, focused on civil rights and the removal of structural barriers that reduce access to opportunity for all Americans. In his role at American Progress, Roberts leads the development, communication, and execution of policy that cuts across the issues of criminal justice, disability justice, gun violence prevention, immigration, LGBTQI+ rights, and racial equity and justice.

He is the former managing director for Structural Reform and Governance at American Progress, previously leading the organization’s democracy work and playing a strategic role in its courts and legal policy work. Roberts has broad expertise in civil rights, racial justice, and pro-democracy work, in addition to a diverse set of domestic policy issues and deep experience in government and advocacy. He has appeared in U.S. and international television, print, and radio news outlets to discuss those issues.

Prior to joining American Progress, Roberts was the legislative director and chief counsel for Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). As the leader of Rep. Raskin’s legislative team, he developed policy and legislative strategy and oversaw Rep. Raskin’s work on the House Judiciary, Oversight, Administration, and Rules committees.

He is a proud alumnus of Howard University, where he obtained his law degree and bachelor’s degree cum laude in political science. He serves on the boards of various community-serving nonprofits in Montgomery County, Maryland, and he recently served as the co-chair of the Housing Policy Transition Committee for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D).

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Film Screening: ‘The 50’ Past Event

Film Screening: ‘The 50’

A documentary film about a groundbreaking mental health program in a California prison, told by the program’s first 50 participants. The film will be followed by a discussion with the film's director and subjects.

Film Screening: ‘The 50’ (Online) Past Event

Film Screening: ‘The 50’ (Online)

A documentary film about a groundbreaking mental health program in a California prison, told by the program’s first 50 participants. The film will be followed by a discussion with the film's director and subjects.

Revelations About Justice Clarence Thomas Reinforce the Need for Justices to Be Bound by an Ethics Code Article
The Supreme Court of the United States.

Revelations About Justice Clarence Thomas Reinforce the Need for Justices to Be Bound by an Ethics Code

Media reports that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted lavish yacht trips and private jet rides without publicly disclosing them underscore the urgent need for Supreme Court justices to be bound by a binding code of ethics just like other federal judges and members of Congress.

Ben Olinsky, Maggie Jo Buchanan, William Roberts

What To Expect When the January 6 Hearings Resume Article
Photo shows the U.S. Capitol building against a dark, stormy sky

What To Expect When the January 6 Hearings Resume

Here’s everything you need to know before the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol resumes its hearings September 28.

William Roberts, Genna Cifelli

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