Michelle T. Leighton

Director of the Human Rights Programs

Telephone: (415) 422.6304
Facsimile: (415) 422.6433
Email: mleighton@usfca.edu

Publications

Education:
LLM, London School of Economics and Political Science
JD, Golden Gate University
BA, University of California, Davis

Prior Employment:
Acting Dean, John F. Kennedy University School of Law
Golden Gate University School of Law
University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall)

Biographical Note:

Leighton is a specialist in international human rights law and environmental issues and counsels nonprofit organizations, government and intergovernmental agencies.  Leighton served as special advisor to the United Nations Environment Programme, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Organization for Migration, and the Congressional Commission on Immigration Reform. She collaborated with UNICEF and WHO in pursuing justice in children’s health issues at the World Summit on Children in 2001-2002. She represents non-governmental organizations at United Nations sessions and conferences.

In 1989, Ms. Leighton co-founded the nonprofit organization, the Natural Heritage Institute, www.n-h-i.org, and served as its Senior Attorney for 15 years.