James C. Duff Is Named Freedom Forum President and CEO

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Freedom Forum, which operates the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue and is one of the nation's leading foundations dedicated to the First Amendment and media issues, today named James C. Duff as its next president and chief executive officer.

Duff, 57, is the chief administrative officer of the U.S. court system. Since his appointment in 2006 by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., he has overseen the federal judiciary's 35,000 employees and its $7 billion annual budget. He has also served as secretary to the Judicial Conference of the United States, the courts' governing body.

Following a nationwide search, Duff's appointment was announced by Malcolm Kirschenbaum, chair of the Freedom Forum Executive and Finance Committee.

"Jim Duff has worked closely with three chief justices over a period of 35 years and has taught civil liberties and constitutional law at Georgetown University for 10 years," said Kirschenbaum, a longtime Florida lawyer, banker and civic leader. "He is a passionate defender of the five freedoms that the First Amendment protects. We are confident the Freedom Forum will reach new heights under his leadership."