Oral History Project

Interview: Attorney William Yeomans (Fall 2023)

By: Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse

April 5, 2024

An oral history interview with attorney William Yeomans, conducted by Michigan Law 2L Pilar Martinez on November 16, 2023. This interview with attorney William Yeomans focuses, in particular, on the work that attorney Yeomans did over the course of more than two decades with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, including cases involving school desegregation, housing discrimination, hate crimes, police misconduct, and voting rights.  

Headshot of William Yeomans.

Interview Summary

The interview with attorney William Yeomans focuses, in particular, on the work that attorney Yeomans did over the course of more than two decades with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, including cases involving school desegregation, housing discrimination, hate crimes, police misconduct, and voting rights.  

View the full interview with attorney Yeomans: 


Publications/Resources

By: Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse

April 4, 2024

Contents: Clearinghouse Oral History Project Interview with Attorney William Yeomans (Fall 2023)
[1:41-9:55] Early Life, Law School, and Career Beginnings
[9:56-15:31] Introduction to Work at the Civil Rights Division
[15:32-19:27] Civil Rights Division During the Reagan Administration; Bob Jones University Case
[19:28-29:43] Jones v. Caddo Parish School Board and School Desegregation Cases
[29:44-34:46] United States v. City of Birmingham and Housing Discrimination Cases
[34:47-44:44] United States v. Town of Cicero and Employment Cases
[44:45-1:02:42] Hate Crimes Prosecutions
[1:02:43-1:17:51] Police Misconduct Cases
[1:17:52-1:38:08] Legislative Reform Work
[1:38:09-1:41:21] Reflections on Post-Settlement Enforcement
[1:41:22-1:48:45] Work with Senate Judiciary Committee and Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act
[1:48:46-1:54:55] Concluding Reflections
Full Video