Senior DOJ Appellate Attorney Elizabeth Hecker Joins Crowell & Moring, Bolstering Education Practice

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elizabeth Hecker, former acting deputy chief and special litigation counsel in the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division's Appellate Section, has joined Crowell & Moring as senior counsel in the Litigation Group. Hecker brings more than two decades of experience leading litigation in the federal court of appeals, with a focus on cases involving education and matters related to Title IV, Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

For nearly a decade in the Appellate Section, Hecker oversaw high-profile, complex cases and filed more than 50 briefs in the federal courts of appeals. As special litigation counsel, Hecker briefed and argued prominent appeals of civil rights cases, supervised the work of 15 staff attorneys, and provided counsel to the division's trial-level litigating attorneys and other DOJ components. She presented oral argument in over a dozen matters across state and federal courts of appeals and worked closely with the Office of the Solicitor General in matters at the U.S. Supreme Court. Hecker also acted as the Appellate Section's policy counsel, consulting on proposed legislation, draft regulations, guidance documents, and government policy statements.

In addition to her robust appellate experience, Hecker has litigated matters in dozens of federal district courts nationwide and negotiated multiple settlement agreements and consent decrees on behalf of both private clients and the government. Much of Hecker's government portfolio focused on issues including equal educational opportunities under Title VI, Title IX and other federal and state anti-discrimination laws, employment discrimination, fair housing, voting rights, and police and prison reform. Hecker was the lead drafter for the government's amicus briefs in the Supreme Court in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College, Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, and Torres v. Texas Department of Public Safety.

"Beth is a perfect fit for our higher education clients. She has been living in this space for decades, knows the statutes and their requirements, and is uniquely qualified to assist clients, particularly at this time," said Kent Goss, co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Litigation Group. "She will also bring her diverse and impressive experience as an appellate writer and advocate to advise and work on appeals across the firm."

At Crowell, Hecker's practice will focus on education litigation, including defending against enforcement actions and investigations into university clients and providing regulatory advice on diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender-related programs. Additionally, as an experienced constitutional law practitioner, Hecker will be able to offer companies advice on the First Amendment, federalism, and other constitutional issues.

"I am thrilled to join Crowell & Moring, which has a premier litigation bench and is known for its excellent work and collaborative culture," Hecker said. "I am also looking forward to working with Crowell's education clients. The federal government is increasingly taking a closer look at institutions of higher education and their implementation of the federal anti-discrimination laws, and it is critical for clients to understand the federal statutes and how to create strategies that help them navigate the changing terrain."

While in the federal government, Hecker received three Distinguished Service Awards, two Special Commendation Awards, and multiple Special Achievement and Meritorious Awards.

Hecker received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her bachelor's degree from Emory University.

About Crowell & Moring LLP
Crowell & Moring is an international law firm with operations in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. Drawing on significant government, business, industry, and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex regulatory and policy, litigation, transactional, and intellectual property issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service, as well as its comprehensive programs and initiatives to advance the professional and personal development of all members of the Crowell community.

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