AFJ Mourns the Passing of Walter Dellinger

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 16, 2022 – Today Alliance for Justice mourns the passing of Walter E. Dellinger III, a stalwart champion of justice. Dellinger was a brilliant advocate whose work as an attorney, professor, mentor, and most notably acting Solicitor General of the United States will be remembered by many. 

Dellinger was long a crucial partner to AFJ’s work, including in helping to defeat the confirmation of Robert Bork and protect access to abortion. His commitment to a fair society crossed all issues, from encouraging the use of DNA evidence to exonerate people who had been wrongfully convicted to advocating against sodomy laws because gay men and lesbians “are partners and parents, neighbors and coworkers, occasional heroes.” 

Alliance for Justice President Rakim H.D. Brooks issued the following statement: 

“Today we have lost a true advocate for the American people. Walter Dellinger spent his 80 years not only fighting for justice, but also nurturing the legal profession so that others could do the same. AFJ was proud to call him a partner in our mission to improve the fairness of the justice system. Dellinger was a role model for how all of us can be true public servants serving the common good.”  

Alliance for Justice Founder Nan Aron issued the following statement: 

“I came to know Walter in the 1980s, and through the years always found him to be a fierce advocate for social justice and a great friend to the public interest community.”