The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has announced the newly appointed chair and vice chair of its Miami Civil Rights Committee — David Edelstein of The Edelstein Firm and Brielle Mark of Weisberg Kainen Mark PL.
Founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all,” a century later ADL now is the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency, fighting anti- Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defending democratic ideals and protecting civil rights for all.
In Miami, Edelstein and Mark will oversee ADL’s prestigious Civil Rights Committee which is comprised of prominent Miamians who are ardent supporters of religious freedom, civil liberties and equality for all Floridians. The committee advocates for inclusive hate crimes legislation and comprehensive state and local anti-discrimination laws; supports fair and humane immigration policies — which is of particular importance given that Florida has the fourth largest immigrant population in the nation, and assists victims of anti-Semitism, religious and racial discrimination.
A longtime member of ADL’s Miami Civil Rights Committee, Edelstein also has participated in ADL’s Glass Leadership Institute and served on ADL’s Florida Executive Committee and Regional Board.
“I am very honored to be asked to chair the Civil Rights Committee for the next three year term, and look forward to the committee’s stimulating debates and discussions as we do our part to help ADL formulate it’s policy positions on the vital issues so central to the ADL’s mission,” Edelstein said.
Edelstein began his legal career in the state of Florida as an assistant public defender with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. Since establishing his law firm, he has expanded his practice to include the representation of clients charged in both state and federal courts throughout the entire state of Florida, including Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Mark is a partner at the law firm of Weisberg Kainen Mark PL, a boutique law firm that combines two distinct areas of legal practice — tax controversy and white collar criminal defense. Invited to join the League’s Miami Civil Rights Committee in 2007 by her law partner and former ADL Florida regional chair, Dennis Kainen, Mark has remained actively involved in ADL.
“I am honored to assume a leadership role on ADL’s Miami Civil Rights Committee,” Mark said. “I admire so many aspects of what ADL does on national and local levels, not just fighting against anti-Semitism, but in education, in legislation, in all areas of religion freedom, and in protecting the rights of all Americans from the virus of prejudice and ignorance.
“I have enjoyed learning about and debating with other professionals in my community the tough issues that oftentimes require nuanced responses, as opposed to cookiecutter answers, and sending our feedback from Miami to the national level of ADL,” she said.
Both Edelstein and Mark hope to focus the committee on the following timely issues of concern: anti-Semitism; anti-bullying and anti-hate crime advocacy; LGBT rights, including Marriage Equality, and immigration reform.
To learn more about ADL’s Miami Civil Rights Committee, call 1-561-988-2938 or send email to schalal@adl.org.
