Paul Carlos Southwick (he/him) joins the ACLU of Idaho team as legal director with 14 years of litigation experience. Paul has extensive experience in litigating civil rights cases on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community and youth in the child welfare system, as well as cases contesting religious exemptions from civil rights laws and First Amendment issues. Paul approaches his legal work as an anti-racist and with a growing understanding of the effects of colonialism and white supremacy. Paul has collaborated with organizations like Americans United for Separation of Church & State, Know Your IX, Campus Pride & Athlete Ally.
Paul graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and is an Oregonian who is excited to work and live in the beautiful city of Boise and to advance civil rights and civil liberties throughout Idaho. In his leisure time, Paul enjoys hiking, house projects, and spending time with his husband and dog.