Announcing Our New Executive Director, Julie Justicz

Legal Council for Health Justice is pleased to announce that Julie Justicz (she/her) has been selected by our Board of Directors to serve as the next Executive Director following Tom Yates’ retirement. This will be a homecoming for Julie as she served as the former Executive Director of AIDS Legal Council (1995-1997) and has 30 years of experience and leadership as a health, disability, and civil rights advocate.  Julie most recently served as the Chief External Relations and Strategy Officer at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. Julie will officially begin her new role on October 9, and Tom will remain Executive Director until then.

As Tom noted, “I am delighted that Julie is rejoining Legal Council as Executive Director. Julie brings a wealth of experience and is the perfect leader to keep Legal Council strong in the fight to secure dignity, opportunity, and well-being for our clients facing barriers due to illness or disability.  I am so proud of all that Legal Council has accomplished over the last 35 years and look forward to seeing what Legal Council achieves under Julie’s leadership!”

Bryce Cooper, Chair of the Council’s Board of Directors shared this about the transition: “The Board wants to express our deep gratitude for Tom’s extraordinary commitment to and leadership of Legal Council during his tenure.  And we are excited for everyone to meet and get to know Julie.  We are confident that her passion for our mission, strategic vision, and commitment to Diversity and Equity principles will assure a strong start to the next chapter of Legal Council’s important legacy.”