AILA Names Crystal L. Williams as its New Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, September 28, 2009
CONTACT:
George Tzamaras
202-507-7649
gtzamaras@aila.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) announced that Crystal L. Williams has been named as its new Executive Director. AILA is the national association of more than 11,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. Over the past four years, Williams has been serving AILA in the position of Deputy Director for Programs. Williams will be the third Executive Director of AILA since the formation of its national office in 1982.

Williams has been involved in immigration for more than 25 years: as a practicing immigration attorney, as a law publisher, as a pro bono program director, as a government official, and, for most of the past decade, as a program leader within the AILA national office. In the course of her years of practice, she served as chair of the Atlanta chapter, and on a variety of liaison, policy and program committees for the national association. She is a cum laude graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and a magna cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Oneonta.

“As president of AILA, I am thrilled to announce this decision,” said Bernie Wolfsdorf. “Crystal Williams brings to AILA extensive expertise in immigration law and policy, and in directing membership associations. She is ideally qualified to lead AILA in our efforts to fix our immigration laws to benefit our nation by providing economic stimulus and promoting due process,” Wolfsdorf added.

Founded in 1946, AILA is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that provides continuing legal education, information, professional services, and expertise through its 36 chapters and over 50 national committees. AILA Member attorneys represent U.S. families seeking permanent residence for close family members, as well as U.S. businesses seeking talent from the global marketplace. AILA Members also represent foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers, often on a pro bono basis.

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 09092810.