Iván Espinoza-Madrigal Becomes CHLP's First Legal Director
The Center for HIV Law and Policy, a national leader on HIV policy development, today announced the appointment of Iván Espinoza-Madrigal as its first Legal Director. He will oversee the organization's legal and policy efforts across the country.
The Center for HIV Law and Policy is a national resource and strategy center for HIV advocacy. The organization hosts the only online resource bank focused on HIV law and policy in the United States, and supports the lawyers, legal services providers, and community advocates on whom most people who experience HIV discrimination rely.
Espinoza-Madrigal is a civil rights attorney specializing in legal issues affecting the LGBT community and those living with HIV, particularly in immigration law. His cases have been featured in the New York Times and New York Law Journal. He speaks nationally on civil rights issues, and provides legal commentary to CNN, Univision, Telemundo, and the Huffington Post.
"Iván has impressive experience and a deep-seated commitment to advancing the rights of people living with HIV. He is a sought-after advisor on immigration issues, a visionary advocate with real compassion for the communities we serve," said Catherine Hanssens, Executive Director of The Center for HIV Law and Policy. "We are lucky to have him to help lead our team."
"It is an honor to work with the distinguished team of this premier organization, and their many allies and partners. The Center for HIV Law and Policy's inspired use of the law, informed by a unique vision and a real passion for justice, is a powerful engine for social change and equality for everyone affected by HIV," said Espinoza-Madrigal.
Most recently, Espinoza-Madrigal worked at Lambda Legal, where he focused on marriage equality, immigration, and issues affecting LGBT and HIV-affected people of color. Previously, he handled MALDEF's immigrants' rights docket, including a challenge to Arizona's immigration law, and a landmark Supreme Court voting rights case. He also worked at Fried Frank, where he defended the municipal identification card of New Haven, Conn., against an attempt to dismantle the program – a case that had a direct impact on cities across the country.
Espinoza-Madrigal clerked for Judge Clay in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and Judge Ellis in the U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y. He received his law degree from NYU School of Law, where he was a Root Tilden-Kern Scholar, and a BA, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Pennsylvania. The National LGBT Bar Association has recognized him as one of the Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40.