Kathleen Unger Explained

Kathleen Unger
Caption:Unger
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California
Nationality:American
Spouse:Stephen A. Unger
Occupation:Philanthropist, community leader
Education:
    Website:voteriders.org

    Kathleen Unger is an American attorney who serves as the founder, president and chair of VoteRiders,[1] [2] a nonprofit organization specializing in voter education and assistance in obtaining voter identification.[3] [4] Ms. magazine described her as "one of the leading experts and legal minds when it comes to election protection".[5]

    From 2010 to 2023, Unger was of counsel to the law firm of Freeman Freeman & Smiley LLP.[6] She was selected for inclusion in the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

    Unger served as president (for two years) and board member (for ten years) of the Scott Newman Foundation and Center alongside its chairman, Paul Newman.[14] [15] She was also CEO of the Starbright Foundation, chaired by Steven Spielberg.[16] [17]

    Background

    Unger was born in Los Angeles and graduated from Beverly Hills High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University and her JD[18] from the San Fernando Valley College of Law[19] where she was named to Law Review and graduated second in her class. Unger received her MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.[20] She is also certified as a Mediator by the Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative at Harvard Law School.

    Unger is part of a family with deep ties in the entertainment industry. She is married to entertainment industry executive recruiter Stephen A. Unger, is the daughter-in-law of film producer Oliver A. Unger, is the sister-in-law of film producer Anthony B. Unger and is the aunt of talent manager and producer David A. Unger.

    Professional career

    Unger began her career as in-house counsel at MCA/Universal Studios (now NBCUniversal) and remained there for 15 years, rising to vice president, MCA Services Corporation. Unger then became CEO of the Starbright Foundation, working with Steven Spielberg, chairman, to improve the quality of life for children with serious medical conditions by providing entertainment, education and family activities.

    After Starbright, Unger was the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Talking Heads, the quarterly publication of the Worldwide Entertainment and Communications practice of Spencer Stuart, one of the three largest executive search firms in the world.[21] Subsequently, Unger was the Senior Strategist for Independent World Television. She also provided editorial services to endocrinologist and menopause expert Diana Schwarzbein for both The Schwarzbein Principle II[22] and her subsequent book.

    Election integrity

    From October 2002 to the present, Unger has devoted herself to matters of election integrity.[23] In the latter part of 2007 she developed and ran the website Election Preparedness,[24] of which she was co-founder and editor, as well as the producer on several related videos and radio spots.[25]

    In April 2012, Unger founded and currently is the President and Chairman of the Board of VoteRiders.[26] [27] [28] Dedicated to ensuring that eligible Americans can vote, VoteRiders educates voters and assists citizens to secure their voter ID, including by supporting organizations, volunteers, and communities to sustain such voter ID education and assistance efforts.[29] [30] [31] [32] On September 21, 2013, VoteRiders hosted its first Voter ID Clinic in Houston.[33] VoteRiders was also active in the 2017 Senate special election in Alabama.[34]

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, Unger highlighted disruptions to the 2020 US presidential election and the issue of acquiring Real IDs in the face of travel restrictions.[35]

    In August 2020, Unger expressed concern about voter participation in the upcoming election, noting that multiple lawsuits aimed at restricting voting options and baseless claims of widespread fraud via mail-in ballots can confuse voters and depress turnout: "Whether that's anybody's intention or not, that is absolutely an unequivocal result."[36]

    Unger has been quoted in the media on non-profit organizations and in connection with voter rights issues.[37] [38] [39] [40] She has spoken at Stanford University,[41] [42] Pepperdine University[43] [44] and Occidental College.[45] She has also participated as an expert/panelist at such events as the Carter Center Baker Institute webinar on Voter Registration and Voter ID[46] and Voter Mobilization Working Group at Columbia World Projects, Columbia University.[47]

    An extensive interview in the January 6, 2021 issue of Ms. magazine highlighted Unger's efforts in ensuring that voters eligible to participate in the 2020 presidential election, as well as the subsequent crucial Georgia Senate runoffs in January 2021, would not be denied their right to vote.

    Political and non-profit

    Unger co-chaired Rep. Edward Markey's successful 1984 Congressional campaign; served as Director, Business for California's 1988 Presidential Campaign; and was appointed a National Finance Vice Chair and a Trustee for John Kerry's 2004 Presidential campaign. In 2013, Unger served as California Co-chair for Massachusetts Congressman Markey's successful campaign for the United States Senate.

    Unger has served on the boards of the Santa Monica-based KCRW[48] and the Valley Community Clinic of North Hollywood, CA,[49] including as Vice Chairman. Since 1994, she has served on the Board of Directors (and is now emeritus) of the Eagles Charitable Foundation, formerly known as Eagles Youth Partnership,[50] the foundation of the Philadelphia Eagles football franchise.[51]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. News: Zimmermann. Alex. Voter ID laws applied unequally, study shows. The Daily Pennsylvanian. 2 April 2013. 27 March 2013.
    2. News: Rainey. James. Ohio has early voting, but other vote access issues remain. LA Times. 11 February 2013. 20 October 2012.
    3. News: From Voting Rights to Voting Wrongs. subscription. Jacques . Leslie . Jacques Leslie . 8 October 2016 . . 10 October 2016.
    4. News: Ringe . Don . Don Ringe . Voter ID Laws Live On. 12 February 2013. Huffington Post. 10 October 2012.
    5. News: The Ms Q&A: VoteRiders' Kathleen Unger Talks Voter ID Laws and the Georgia Elections. . Szal, Roxy . Fleischer, Katie . January 6, 2021. January 12, 2021.
    6. Web site: Kathleen Unger, Of Counsel . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216065530/https://ffslaw.com/professionals/kathleen-unger/ . February 16, 2020 . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley LLP.
    7. Web site: Four of Freeman Freeman & Smiley Lawyers Selected to 2016 Best Lawyers in America . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210116065219/https://ffslaw.com/news/four-of-freeman-freeman-smiley-lawyers-selected-to-2016-best-lawyers-in-america/ . January 16, 2021 . January 14, 2021.
    8. Web site: Best Lawyers® 2017 Recognizes Four Freeman Freeman & Smiley Partners . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117100521/https://ffslaw.com/news/best-lawyers-2017-recognizes-four-freeman-freeman-smiley-partners/ . January 17, 2021 . January 14, 2021.
    9. Web site: Eight Freeman Freeman Smiley Attorneys Named to 2018 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115101642/https://ffslaw.com/news/eight-freeman-freeman-smiley-attorneys-named-to-2018-edition-of-the-best-lawyers-in-america/ . January 15, 2021 . January 14, 2021.
    10. Web site: Eleven Freeman Freeman Smiley Attorneys Named to 2019 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117192206/https://ffslaw.com/news/eleven-freeman-freeman-smiley-attorneys-named-to-2019-edition-of-the-best-lawyers-in-america/ . January 17, 2021 . January 14, 2021.
    11. Web site: Eleven Freeman Freeman Smiley Attorneys Named to 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20201202024045/https://ffslaw.com/news/eleven-freeman-freeman-smiley-attorneys-named-to-2020-edition-of-the-best-lawyers-in-america/ . December 2, 2020 . January 14, 2021.
    12. Web site: Twelve Freeman Freeman Smiley Attorneys Named to 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210820101303/https://ffslaw.com/news/twelve-freeman-freeman-smiley-attorneys-named-to-2022-edition-of-the-best-lawyers-in-america/ . August 20, 2021 . August 20, 2021.
    13. Web site: Fifteen Freeman Freeman & Smiley Attorneys Named to 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® . Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, LLP . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20221001055336/https://ffslaw.com/news/fifteen-freeman-freeman-smiley-attorneys-named-to-2023-edition-of-the-best-lawyers-in-america/ . October 1, 2022 . 2022-08-18 . en-US.
    14. Web site: Congressional Record - House V155, Pt. 4. H. Res 18. 17 November 2013. 24 February 2009.
    15. News: Unger Named Prexy Newman Foundation. Daily Variety. 19 February 1988. Kathleen Unger, v.p. MCA Services, has been elected president of Scott Newman Foundation by the board, which at the same time named Paul Newman vice president, and Dr. Joseph Van Der Meulen, v.p. of the University of California, secretary..
    16. Web site: Audio Special: Celebrity Readings From 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. New York Times. 14 November 2013.
    17. Web site: Kathleen Unger. Source Watch.
    18. Web site: State Bar of California. 2013-02-11.
    19. Web site: 2019-11-21. University of West Los Angeles [Ranking + Acceptance Rate]]. 2021-12-13. EduRank.org - Discover university rankings by location. en.
    20. Web site: January 30, 2003 . Executive Search Executive Stephen Unger Profiles the Entertainment Industry for Students at The Anderson School at UCLA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130719004131/http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/media-relations/2003/stephen-unger-speaks-at-anderson . July 19, 2013 . 2013-02-11 . UCLA Anderson School of Management.
    21. Web site: Top Executive Search Firms. Executive Trumpet.
    22. Book: Schwarzbein, Diana. The Schwarzbein principle II : The Transition: a Regeneration Process to Prevent and Reverse Accelerated Aging. 2002. Health Communications. Deerfield Beach, Fla.. 1558749640. registration.
    23. News: Sloan. Ellen. Women of All Political Stripes May Be Disenfranchised at November Polls. 12 February 2013. Huffington Post. 23 August 2012.
    24. News: Magruder. Melonie. Taking Aim at ID Laws. 12 February 2013. The Malibu Times. 26 September 2012. 30 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210530220745/http://www.malibutimes.com/news/article_f8125386-99bc-5b71-bc33-84c3aa21078c.html. dead.
    25. Web site: Namm . Diane . Unger . Kathleen . We Will Not Throw Away Our Votes - Florida . myhero.com . . en . video . 2018.
    26. News: Voter beware: Thanks to ID laws, being registered isn't enough to vote in many states . 20 July 2016 . . 19 July 2016.
    27. Web site: VoteRiders Featured on ABC News Radio . 12 February 2013 . 18 June 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131002044856/http://voteriders.com/news/voteriders-featured-abc-news-radio. October 2, 2013 . VoteRiders .
    28. News: Ringe . Don . Don Ringe . Time Sensitive Democracy. 12 February 2013. Huffington Post. 30 September 2012.
    29. News: Gawronsky. Nathan. Voter ID laws to prevent fraud. 11 February 2013. The Corsair, Santa Monica College. 2 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927030828/http://www.thecorsaironline.com/opinion/2012/10/02/voter-id-laws-to-prevent-fraud/. 27 September 2013. dead.
    30. News: Coghlan. Ed. California group poised to work on voter ID this week, but not in California. 12 February 2013. CAFwd.org. 5 November 2012. 23 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141223171433/http://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/california-group-posed-to-work-on-voters-ids-this-week-but-not-in-california. dead.
    31. News: Texas sees surge of disenfranchised voters. Roth. Zachary . 2014-11-04 . MSNBC. 2014-12-20.
    32. News: Élections de mi-mandat: ces Américains privés de leur droit de vote. Brunet. Romain . 2014-11-02 . France 24. 2014-12-20.
    33. Web site: Florsheim. Lane. VoteRiders President Kathleen Unger, Who Aims to Help Disenfranchised Voters in States with Stringent Voter ID Laws. 16 September 2013 . Bustle. 23 September 2013.
    34. Web site: Levine. Sam. December 11, 2017 . There Are Huge Obstacles To Casting A Ballot In Alabama's Special Election. HuffPost. 12 December 2017.
    35. News: Unger . Kathleen . Coronavirus, 2020 Election and the New ID Laws Are Brewing a Perfect Storm. Are We Prepared? . 17 March 2020 . Newsweek.
    36. News: Beckwith . Ryan . Democrats Tiptoe Around How Loudly to Sound Alarm on Voting Risk . Bloomberg . 21 August 2020 . 13 September 2020.
    37. News: Pereda. Christina. Las elecciones de EE UU también se disputan en los tribunales. 12 February 2013. El Pais. 10 September 2012.
    38. Web site: VoteRiders Campaign. . en . video . youtube.com . July 29, 2012 . 12 February 2013.
    39. News: Ringe . Don . Don Ringe . GOP Suppression Smacks Down Ohio Turnout. 11 February 2013. Huffington Post. 4 November 2012.
    40. News: Republicans champion voter ID laws absent credible evidence of fraud. Amadou. Diallo. Al Jazeera America. 10 February 2016. 25 April 2016.
    41. Web site: Calendar of Events . dead . 9 January 2020 . Stanford Votes . Stanford University . 11 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191211170326/https://haas.stanford.edu/events/upcoming-events?page=2 .
    42. Web site: Stanford Votes . 2020 Voter Registration and GOTV Strategy . March 7, 2024 . The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge . 5.
    43. News: LaZebnik . Ken . Ken LaZebnik . 8 October 2012 . VoteRiders Org Addresses Voter ID Laws at Payson Library . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121119115444/https://library.pepperdine.edu/news/index.php/2012/10/voteriders-org-addresses-voter-id-laws-at-payson-library/ . November 19, 2012 . February 12, 2013 . Pepperdine University.
    44. News: Irick. Whitney. Media strategist speaks on voter ID laws. 12 February 2013. Pepperdine University Graphic. 17 October 2012.
    45. Web site: 18 October 2012 . Election Speaker Series - Kathleen Unger - 'Voter ID Laws: How You Can Help' . dead . 12 February 2013 . Occidental College . 27 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927014844/http://www.oxy.edu/events/election-speaker-series-kathleen-unger-voter-id-laws-how-you-can-help .
    46. Web site: 2021-05-05. Event - The Carter-Baker Commission, 16 years later: Voter Registration and Voter ID. 2021-06-11. www.bakerinstitute.org. en-US.
    47. Web site: Democratic Renewal Columbia World Projects . 2024-03-07 . worldprojects.columbia.edu.
    48. Web site: KCRW Foundation - Board of Directors. One Source. 15 February 2013.
    49. Web site: Valley Community Clinic. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130317111645/http://www.valleycommunityclinic.org/. 2013-03-17.
    50. Web site: Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130120030923/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/community/eagles-youth-partnership/about.html . January 20, 2013 . February 11, 2013 . Philadelphia Eagles .
    51. News: Merlo . Debbie . 2013-05-20 . Eagles Youth Partnership . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232221/http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/05/20/entertainment/doc519a5b46bfe6b172666699.txt. March 3, 2016 . 17 November 2013 . Montgomery Media.

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