Denise Lieberman

Denise Lieberman is a nationally recognized voting rights lawyer and adjunct professor at Washington University in St. Louis, serving as faculty director of the Voter Access and Engagement Initiative. She concurrently directs the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, a nonpartisan statewide network of voter advocates, and has spearheaded voting rights campaigns across Missouri, North Carolina, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Florida, and other states for over 20 years. Her work includes testifying before Congress in support of the Voting Rights Act and leading litigation against restrictive voting laws.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Political Science from Northwestern University (1991)
• Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1995)

Lieberman's research and advocacy center on voting rights and civil liberties, with deep expertise in constitutional challenges to voter ID laws, early voting restrictions, and rights restoration policies. Her work intersects racial justice and gender equality, addressing systemic issues like racial profiling, religious liberty, freedom of speech, and criminal justice reform including the death penalty. She teaches Sexuality & the Law: Theory & Practice, reflecting her commitment to intersectional legal analysis of marginalized communities.

Professional Affiliations:

• Co-chair of the Individual Rights Committee, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
• Coordinator & Director of ACLU-EM St. Louis Voter Protection Legal Command Center
• Member of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri
• Former board member, University City Children’s Center (1997-2003)
• Member, National Women’s Political Caucus of Metro St. Louis
• Member, Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis

Scientific Awards:

• Washington University Law School Public Interest Employer of the Year Award
• OUTLaw Human Rights Award
• John Doe Society Award
• Woman Law Student of the Year

As a voting rights strategist, Lieberman coordinates statewide Election Protection efforts through the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition in partnership with the Mound City Bar Association. Her litigation portfolio includes landmark challenges to discriminatory voting practices, demonstrating sustained advocacy for democratic access. She remains actively engaged in congressional testimony and policy development to counter restrictive voting legislation nationwide.