Purcellville, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purcellville, VA – James R. Mason has been named president of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) at the moment after the retirement of the group’s longtime chief and cofounder, Mike Smith. “I am humbled to be called to serve the homeschooling community and continue to advance the cause of homeschool freedom,” Jim Mason stated.
Mason’s promotion to president follows greater than 20 years as HSLDA’s lead litigation lawyer and 7 years as Vice President. He was accountable for key authorized victories, together with 4th Amendment instances that improved social companies investigation protocol in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. Mason additionally led the group’s victory in Wilson v. Russo, the place HSLDA received a $700,000 settlement for a single guardian whose kids had been wrongfully taken into foster care by a baby protecting companies investigator.
The new Director of Litigation is HSLDA lawyer Peter Kamakawiwoole, who earned his legislation diploma from Saint Louis University School of Law. During his 12 years as a workers lawyer on the HSLDA litigation staff, he has represented homeschooling households earlier than state and federal tribunals, together with the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals for the Second and Fourth Circuits, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Kamakawiwoole can also be an adjunct professor of authorities at Patrick Henry College.
“Jim is the right leader for HSLDA during this amazing time of growth in homeschooling and a champion for homeschooling,” stated Mike Smith, HSLDA president emeritus. “I have full confidence that he will continue to advocate to keep homeschooling free for every family who wants to homeschool.”
Mason was additionally instrumental in litigating the 2008 California case Jonathan L., through which a state appellate court docket reversed its earlier ruling that homeschooling was unlawful. This put an finish to years of controversy over the authorized standing of homeschooling in California.
He is a frequent contributor to the HSLDA’s Home School Court Report journal and interviews modern homeschool creators, thinkers, and authors on the group’s Homeschool Talks podcast.
“Jim Mason is the best pick to lead HSLDA as homeschooling continues to grow, and to make sure homeschooling remains legal in the US,” stated Michael Farris, HSLDA’s founder and Chairman of the Board.
Mason graduated with highest honors from Regent University School of Law in 1996, and he’s a veteran of the US Navy having served on energetic responsibility in Operation Desert Storm. Mason will even function president of HSLDA Action and Chairman of the Board for ParentalRights.org and ParentalRightsfoundation.org.
Jim and his spouse Debbie stay in Winchester, Virginia. They have seven kids and 4 grandchildren. The Masons homeschooled all their kids by highschool.
About HSLDA
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is America’s largest and oldest homeschool advocacy group. Founded in 1983 with the mission to make homeschooling potential for all households, the group has helped empower hundreds of thousands of homeschooling dad and mom and college students. As a membership group for households homeschooling their kids, HSLDA gives a myriad of sources from academic consultants to customized authorized recommendation by each step of their homeschool journey. Learn extra about HSLDA at https://hslda.org/
- James R. Mason Becomes President of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
