Joseph J. Levin Jr.

Joseph J. Levin, Jr., a native of Montgomery, Alabama, is co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center. From 1971, he served the SPLC in various capacities, including legal director, chair of the board, president and CEO, and general counsel, retiring in 2016. He continues to serve the SPLC as an emeritus member of the board.

In 1976, as a member of the Carter Presidential Transition Team, Levin supervised the Department of Justice transition and oversaw the preparation of briefing books identifying critical issues for the incoming attorney general. He had special responsibility for analysis of Department of Justice national security oversight of the CIA, FBI, NSA, and military intelligence functions. As special assistant to the attorney general, he oversaw the final wrap-up of Department of Justice transition affairs and advised the associate attorney general on the Department of Justice reorganization efforts.