Because all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Our Mission
Dignity Rights Advocates provides support to lawyers around the globe considering or bringing legal action to advance human dignity under law, typically as a constitutional right. DRA does so in three ways involving research, policy advocacy and litigation support:
Research. We offer an extensive collection of dignity rights research, including books, chapters, and law review articles.
Policy Advocacy. We assist local and global partners working to recognize dignity rights under law.
High-Impact Litigation Support. We provide consultative support for high impact pro bono litigation in support of dignity rights.
Meet the Team
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James R. May, Esq.
FOUNDER
Jimmy is the founder of Dignity Rights Advocates. He is Richard S. Righter Distinguished Professor of Law at Washburn University, where he teaches human dignity rights and other courses. He is co-founder of the Dignity Rights Program at Widener University Delaware Law School, where he serves as Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus. May led efforts for the American Bar Association’s official recognition of human dignity as “foundational to the just rule of law,” and is a founder and Presidential appointee of the ABA’s Dignity Rights Initiative. In 2023 he received the ABA’s Award for Distinguished Achievement in Environmental Law and Policy, in part for his work advancing human dignity under law.
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Roselyn O. Gabriel, Esq.
LEGAL FELLOW
Roselyn is a dedicated advocate for dignity rights. She brings a wealth of legal expertise to her work, holding a license to practice law in Nigeria, she is driven by a deep commitment to dignity rights and justice. Beyond her professional practice, Roselyn passionately advocates for the rights of indigent defendants in criminal cases. Recognizing the challenges faced by those without adequate legal representation, she generously offers her expertise pro bono, ensuring access to fair trials and equitable outcomes. Her work reflects a profound dedication to giving back to her society and upholding the principles of justice for all.
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Caleb Haselhuhn
LEGAL FELLOW
Caleb is a devoted advocate for dignity rights. He was born in Kansas, and has lived his entire life there. Caleb has always been fascinated by other cultures, societies, and legal systems from all over the world. Additionally, the protection of individual and human rights has always been a passion of his, so it is no surprise that he became acutely interested in constitutional rights and the right to human dignity while studying at Washburn University School of Law. Caleb is dedicated to helping advance a fundamental right that recognizes the equal worth of all people -- a right that is either enumerated or implicit in a majority of constitutions, globally, but curiously absent from our own, here in the United States.
“If we don’t safeguard our dignity, we will lose it.”
“Dignity is unique insofar as it is law as well as norm. Dignity as a normative concept recognizes that every member of the human family has worth that is equal, inviolable, universal and inherent. Dignity matters in real ways to real people because in addition to the normative and philosophical, dignity is also law, meaning that it exists both as a source of and influence on the rule of law. As norm and law, dignity is music and lyric.”
— James R. May, Esq.
Contact
Have an idea? A case to share or bring? Let us know in the form or by emailing us directly.
Email
dignityrightsadvocates@gmail.com
