The Maine Human Rights Commission today announced the selection of Amy Sneirson, Esq., as the Commission’s next Executive Director

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Contact: John P. Gause (207) 624-8730

The Maine Human Rights Commission today announced the selection of Amy Sneirson, Esq., as the Commission’s next Executive Director.

The Human Rights Commission is the independent state agency that enforces Maine’s anti-discrimination law, the Maine Human Rights Act.

A lawyer for 16 years, Ms. Sneirson is the Managing Attorney of the Civil Rights Program at the Maine Center on Deafness, where she has been since 2006. Previously, she was a litigation associate with the private law firm of Murray, Plumb & Murray in Portland, Maine. In addition to private practice, Ms. Sneirson has worked for the Maine and Missouri Attorney Generals’ Offices.

“We are very pleased to have found such a charismatic and highly qualified person to fill the role of Executive Director,” said Paul K. Vestal, Jr., the Commission’s Chair. “Amy possesses a thorough understanding of the Maine Human Rights Act, and she brings the perspective of having represented individual, state, and corporate interests. She is deeply committed to the core principles of equal opportunity.”

Ms. Sneirson has an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester in New York and earned her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1995.

She replaces Patricia Ryan who retired in June after serving 32 years as the Executive Director.

The appointment will take place during a Commission meeting on December 12, 2011, in Augusta. Ms. Sneirson will start employment on January 3, 2012.