CJLF ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF FORMER SACRAMENTO DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNE MARIE SCHUBERT AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER;
HONORS RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL RUSHFORD

The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation (CJLF) announced today that Anne Marie Schubert has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of longtime President and CEO Michael Rushford, who stepped down after years of distinguished service and leadership.

About the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation

Founded in 1982, the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation is a nonprofit, public interest law organization dedicated to restoring balance to the criminal justice system by advocating for victims’ rights and constitutional, effective criminal justice policies.

“Michael Rushford’s tenure as CEO was marked by steadfast leadership, principled advocacy, and a deep commitment to CJLF’s mission. Under his guidance, the Foundation became a nationally respected voice for victims’ rights and sound criminal justice policy. Although retiring from his formal role, Mr. Rushford will remain a valued advisor to the organization,” said Rick Richmond, Chairman of the Board for CJLF.

“I am honored and humbled to follow in Mike Rushford’s footsteps,” said Schubert. “His leadership shaped CJLF into the strong and impactful organization it is today. He will be deeply missed, but I am grateful for his continued guidance and support.”

Anne Marie Schubert brings more than three decades of experience as a career prosecutor and public servant to her new role. She is the former elected District Attorney for Sacramento County, serving from 2014 through 2022, where she led one of California’s largest prosecutorial offices. Her responsibilities included managing attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, support staff, and a state-of-the-art crime laboratory, as well as overseeing a multi-million-dollar budget and engaging extensively in public policy and legislative advocacy.

Prior to her election, Schubert was widely respected as a trial attorney who prosecuted some of California’s most violent crimes, including sexual assault and murder cases. She is a nationally recognized expert in forensic DNA and has advanced cutting-edge DNA technologies for over three decades. In 2002, she founded Sacramento County’s Cold Case Prosecution Unit and served as its first prosecutor.

In 2018, Schubert led the investigation and prosecution of Joseph DeAngelo, the “Golden State Killer,” using Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). Following that landmark case, her team used FIGG to identify additional violent offenders, resolve unidentified human remains cases, and, in partnership with the California Innocence Project, exonerate an individual wrongfully convicted for 15 years.

Schubert has been a leader in advancing victims’ rights and sound public safety policy statewide. In 2016, she served as the statewide co-chair of the successful “Yes on 66” ballot initiative to reform California’s death penalty law and the 2024 “Yes on 36” ballot initiative to address homelessness, drug addiction, and rampant theft plaguing California. Proposition 36 was overwhelmingly passed by every county in California.

Ms. Schubert’s work has earned her numerous honors, including Prosecutor of the Year and the Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) Instructor of the Year.

“I look forward to carrying on CJLF’s mission of supporting victims’ rights and effective public safety policy,” Schubert said. “There is important work ahead, and I am confident we will broaden our impact and continue shaping sound public policy.”