Zoe Brennan-Krohn is a prominent civil rights attorney dedicated to advancing the rights and liberties of individuals with disabilities. As the Director of the ACLU’s Disability Rights Program, she leads efforts to combat discrimination and promote autonomy for disabled people across various facets of society, including education, employment, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Her work emphasizes the importance of supported decision-making and challenges systems that undermine the rights of people with disabilities.
Background and Education
Brennan-Krohn’s commitment to disability rights is deeply rooted in her personal and professional experiences. Before pursuing higher education, she spent two years at Camphill Ballytobin in Ireland, an inclusive community for individuals with and without disabilities. This formative experience shaped her understanding of community integration and the value of inclusive living. She later graduated from Brown University and earned her J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2015. Her legal education was further enriched by clerkships with the Honorable Judith Rogers of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and President Theodor Meron at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Leadership at the ACLU
In March 2024, Brennan-Krohn was appointed as the Director of the ACLU’s Disability Rights Program. In this role, she oversees the organization’s efforts to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities and to advance their rights in all aspects of life. Under her leadership, the program has taken on significant cases challenging systemic failures in the criminal justice system, advocating for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing to ensure effective communication. She has also been instrumental in raising public awareness about the need for alternatives to guardianship and conservatorship, systems that often strip individuals of their rights without due process.
Advocacy and Legal Initiatives
Brennan-Krohn has been at the forefront of several key initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of people with disabilities. One notable area of focus has been the reform of guardianship laws. She has led efforts to challenge laws that create more restrictive guardianships for individuals with disabilities, arguing that such laws violate civil liberties and deny individuals the right to make personal decisions. For instance, she played a pivotal role in a lawsuit filed in Utah to block the implementation of SB199, a law that would have subjected individuals with disabilities to ultra-guardianship,” granting guardians expansive, unchecked power over personal choices without adequate legal protections.
Public Engagement and Thought Leadership
Beyond her legal work, Brennan-Krohn actively engages in public discourse on disability rights issues. She has contributed to various publications and participated in discussions aimed at educating the public about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Her insights have been featured in media outlets, and she has spoken at events to raise awareness about the importance of supported decision-making and the dangers of restrictive guardianship systems. Through these efforts, she strives to shift societal perceptions and promote a more inclusive approach to disability rights.
Commitment to Disability Rights
At the core of Brennan-Krohn’s work is a steadfast commitment to the belief that individuals with disabilities should have the autonomy to make decisions about their own lives. She advocates for systems that support rather than supplant the decision-making abilities of disabled individuals, emphasizing the need for legal frameworks that prioritize empowerment and respect for personal agency. Her leadership at the ACLU continues to drive meaningful change in the fight for disability rights, ensuring that the voices and choices of individuals with disabilities are heard and respected.