Martinez, Vilma (1943–)

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Martinez, Vilma (1943–)

Mexican-American attorney and civil-rights activist. Born Vilma Socorro Martinez, Oct 17, 1943, in San Antonio, TX; University of Texas, BA, 1964; Columbia University, LLB, 1967; married; children: 2 sons.

Influential Chicana, was staff attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund; served on the Advisory Committee to US Commission on Civil Rights; was board member for Legal Defense Fund of National Organization of Women (NOW); co-founded and served as president and general counsel of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF, 1973–82); became a partner in law firm of Munger, Tolles and Olson in Los Angeles (1982), where she specializes in civil litigation.

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Martinez, Vilma (1943–)

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