FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 9, 2022
CONTACT:
Edie Surtees, Communications Director
512-407-2739
esurtees@DRTx.org
Sean A. Jackson, J.D., named new Executive Director of Disability Rights Texas
AUSTIN ─ Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is pleased to announce the selection of Sean A. Jackson, J.D. as the new Executive Director for the agency. He is an accomplished public interest attorney with a 30-year record of zealous advocacy for clients in legal matters, including more than 20 years of legal management experience.
“I am sincerely honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead the amazing organization that is Disability Rights Texas,” said Jackson upon receiving his appointment. “I am more excited than ever about our organization’s future as we continue to do the important work of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities.”
Jackson is well-versed in a wide range of legal advocacy interventions including complex litigation such as the certified federal class action lawsuit Steward v. Perry. He is highly skilled in developing and maintaining stakeholder participation, including most recently his work to help establish Texas Partners for Inclusive Access (TPIA), a collaboration among Texans with disabilities, state leaders, and community organizations to ensure Texas communities meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
In the past several months, Jackson led outreach efforts to Texans with disabilities through the agency’s COVID -19 Vaccine Access Initiative. He has also been instrumental in DRTx collaboration with other Legal Aid organizations by overseeing our participation in the Community Redevelopment Project.
Jackson earned a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of New Orleans and a Juris Doctor at Louisiana State University Law Center. He started his career as an Assistant Public Defender in Baton Rouge at the 19th Judicial District Court and the City Court and went on to become an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana. He was also Managing Partner of his own law firm for nine years.
He also served in Workers Compensation and Medicaid Judgeships for the State of Louisiana for five years prior to joining Disability Rights Texas. While at DRTx, Jackson has held the roles of regional attorney, regional managing attorney, and for the past 12 years, supervising attorney for the Community Integration and Healthcare Team.
“The Board of Directors is pleased to have Sean Jackson as the new Executive Director because of the energy and vision he brings to the agency,” said Brook Roberts, Board Chair. “We believe his legal expertise and management experience, along with his sincere passion for disability rights, will continue the great work of the agency for years to come.”
Jackson will begin his new role on March 28, 2022. He enters the position upon the retirement of the current DRTx Executive Director of 20 years, Mary Faithfull, on April 30, 2022.
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Disability Rights Texas is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities in Texas established in 1977. Its mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society. Visit www.DRTx.org for more information.