Lambda Boosts Western Regional Office in Los Angeles

(LOS ANGELES, April 6, 2001) — Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund said Friday it is boosting its Western Regional Office in Los Angeles by adding Tracy Moore as regional director and expanding its legal and outreach work throughout the region.

Lambda Executive Director Kevin M. Cathcart said, “It is very exciting to strengthen Lambda’s power in the Western Region. I especially am pleased to welcome Tracy to our staff in this very vibrant and important part of the country, where so many people need to hear about Lambda’s goals for justice and equality.”

“Joining Lambda is a dream come true for me,” said Moore, adding, “This is an organization that I have long admired and supported, and it is thrilling to help such a talented, determined staff realize Lambda’s civil rights mission.”

Moore has a strong background in communications and fund raising from previous work at UCLA’s College of Letters and Science, where she was a major gifts officer. Prior to that, Moore served as director of Development and Business Affairs with the Galef Institute in Los Angeles and, earlier, was director of Alumni Affairs at New York University Law School.

Moore’s is a new position for the fast-paced WRO, where she will oversee administration and development, enhancing Lambda’s outreach and visibility in the region.

Jennifer C. Pizer, with Lambda’s enhancement to its WRO, now will shed many administrative and development duties to pursue legal advocacy full time as a senior staff attorney for Lambda. Since joining the office in 1996, Pizer has served as managing attorney, carrying a significant caseload as well as other responsibilities.

“Given my passion for advocacy, I welcome this development heartily,” said Pizer, adding, “This expansion is all the more wonderful because Tracy brings terrific experience as well as a longstanding commitment to social justice.”

At the same time that Pizer is increasing the WRO capacity for legal and public policy work, Lambda also is preparing for another welcome staff transition that builds on the outstanding outreach and educational work of Myron Dean Quon.

A Lambda staff attorney for the past four years, Quon will fill the newly created position of deputy regional director, working closely with Moore to expand Lambda’s public education and outreach efforts in the Western region. Lambda is beginning the search for a new staff attorney as Quon prepares to step into his new position next month.

Quon said, “A key part of my work at Lambda has included helping people stand up to discrimination. I look forward to using that experience to empower even more individuals and communities – to help make an even greater difference for lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV and AIDS.”

The WRO brings Lambda’s legal and education mission to Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.