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Leslie Gilbert-Lurie
Human Rights Watch International Board Member, Lawyer, Author, Social Justice & Children's Rights Advocate, Philanthropist & Former Television Executive
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie is a prominent American lawyer, author, philanthropist, and community leader with extensive experience in human rights advocacy and education reform. She serves on the International Board of Directors at Human Rights Watch (HRW), where she is also the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Additionally, she has previously co-chaired HRW's Los Angeles Committee.16
Career Overview
Gilbert-Lurie has a diverse professional background:
- Television Executive: She began her career at NBC, where she oversaw NBC Productions and the comedy division, co-writing episodes for shows like Alf and Saved by the Bell. She also co-founded Lurie-Horwits Productions.13
- Legal Profession: After her time in television, she worked as a lawyer at Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg and Tunney and served as a law clerk for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.17
- Advocacy: As a founding board member of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, she has played a crucial role in advocating for abused and at-risk youth. Her efforts contributed to significant policy changes in child welfare in Los Angeles County.258
Education and Honors
Gilbert-Lurie is an alumna of UCLA, where she was also the Student Regent on the Board of Regents. She has received numerous accolades for her commitment to civil rights and education, including the American Jewish Congress's Tzedek Award and Facing History and Ourselves' Upstander of the Year Award.357
Publications
She authored Bending Toward the Sun, a memoir that explores her mother's Holocaust experiences and the intergenerational transmission of trauma. This work reflects her deep engagement with issues of human rights and social justice.14
Personal Life
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Cliff Gilbert-Lurie, and their two children. She remains actively involved in various educational and philanthropic initiatives across California.23
Highlights

