It’s a wrap!

2024 Dare To Be Different  Westchester Highlight
Meet Our Keynote Speaker: William Wagstaff III Esq

William Wagstaff is a respected attorney, proven civil rights advocate, steadfast social justice champion, and lifelong Democrat running to be the next Westchester County District Attorney. Born and raised in Westchester County, William has dedicated his life to standing up for those in need, uplifting his community, and ensuring our police are both supported to do their job and held accountable to those they strive to serve. Westchester needs a District Attorney who will prioritize protecting our communities and standing up for victims, while at the same time recognizing that our system does not always lead to just outcomes. William brings a unique background and fresh perspective and will implement data-driven solutions to addressing gun violence, hate crimes, domestic violence and property crime.

SAFETY
ACCOUNTABILITY
EQUITY

Why William is Running
To increase safety, equity, and accountability through the implementation of data-driven solutions for addressing gun violence, hate crimes, domestic violence, and property crime with integrity to make Westchester County safer.

Policy Initiatives
• Utilizing Data to Reduce Crime & Improve Quality of Life
• Eradicating Hate Crimes & Protecting Targeted Communities
• Encouraging Treatment of Mental Health Issues & Substance Use Disorder
• Combating Elder Fraud and Abuse
• Providing Support & Resources to Law Enforcement
• Accounting for Consequences to Immigrants
• Making Diversion the Rule
• Addressing Racial Disparities
• Charging with Restraint & Plea Bargaining Fairly
• Promoting Restorative Justice
Commitment to Community + Justice
• Represented families in high-profile civil rights cases
• Successfully represented Hudson Valley Chapter of Black Lives Matter and its members in an illegal surveillance case
• Special Prosecutor for the City of Mount Vernon
• Board Member for the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County
• Chairman of Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson- Howard’s Judicial Appointment Committee
• Chair, African American Men of Westchester Mentoring Committee
PAID FOR BY WAGSTAFF FOR DA
 
Meet William
William O. Wagstaff III’s steadfast commitment to social justice is the consistent driving force behind his work in the community and as an attorney and principal of The Wagstaff Firm, P.C.

William was born and raised in Westchester County, a Pace Law School graduate, and has called Mount Vernon home for his entire life. He is raising two great kids with his wife Christina, and he’s asking for your support and your vote to make him the first black District Attorney in Westchester County history.

William has developed and executed trial strategies from jury selection through post-trial activities. He also holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from Fordham University Business School, where he graduated #2 in his class, which has proven to be an invaluable tool he employs during negotiations.
William became a lawyer because he wanted to be impactful. Just like many of you, he’s become frustrated with the lip service given to criminal justice reform and how the system doesn’t work to keep our communities safe, families intact, and rehabilitation an option.

William’s practice concentrates on Civil Rights Litigation, Criminal Defense, and Municipal Law. He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, and several Federal Districts. His cases have been covered in the New York Law Journal and The New York Times and on CNN, MSNBC, and ABC, among other media outlets.

His service to his hometown and community includes Special Prosecutor for Police Disciplinary Hearings, Special Counsel to the Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and the City’s Law Department, Member of the Police Reform Commission, and Chair of Mayor Patterson-Howard’s Judicial Appointment Committee. He is also former Special Counsel to the Village of Spring Valley Board of Trustees.

William is committed to driving police reform and accountability for bad actors. He created a training module and trained the Mount Vernon Police Department on the laws regarding police encounters with civilians, use of force, litigation prep and report writing, and handling civilians with disabilities or mental health concerns. He successfully represented the Hudson Valley Chapter of Black Lives Matter and its members in an illegal surveillance case against the Town of Clarkstown.

His active involvement in the legal community includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Legal Aid Society of Westchester, being a member of the New York State Bar Association, Westchester County Bar Association, and the Westchester Black Bar Association.

William’s commitment to his community matches his commitment to justice. He co-sponsors an annual coat drive with Collective for a Cause, which collects thousands of coats and donates to families in need. William is a member of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge State of New York, Joppa Lodge No. 55. He is a member of the African American Men of Westchester and Chair of the Mentoring Committee. William is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and has participated in the New Rochelle-White Plains Alumni Chapter’s Kappa League mentoring program.

Westchester needs a District Attorney with a unique background and fresh perspective; the status quo fails to meet the moment.
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