Daniel McNeel ‘Neel’ Lane, Jr., Appointed Chair of Episcopal Relief & Development Board of Directors
November 4, 2015
Daniel McNeel ‘Neel’ Lane, Jr., has been appointed the new chair of Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board of Directors, effective November 1. The appointment was made by The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, newly installed Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, who transitions to the position of honorary chair. Lane has served on Episcopal Relief & Development’s board since 2011, and has chaired the Governance committee since 2012.
“I am inspired by Neel’s commitment to strengthening Episcopal Relief & Development and equipping the organization’s staff and partners for deeper ministry,” said The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. “I look forward to continuing our service on the Board together in our new capacities, as we strive to envision how the organization is called to faithfully partner with communities around the world to leverage their unique gifts to fight poverty and disease.”
Lane is a partner at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Partner in Charge of the San Antonio office. His pro bono work focuses on social issues, notably including the federal lawsuit that resulted in marriage equality for all Texans, as well as cases challenging death sentences on constitutional grounds. He has also advocated and testified before the Texas Legislature in support of legislation limiting predatory payday lending practices and establishing needle exchange programs. Lane has been named as one of three finalists for “Lawyer of the Year” by Texas Lawyer, has been named an Outstanding Lawyer for 2015 by the San Antonio Business Journal, and has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America for each of the past seven years in a row.
In addition to his involvement with Episcopal Relief & Development, Lane has also chaired the board of Good Samaritan Community Services, an agency of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, and served on the board of Texas Appleseed, an agency that promotes social and economic justice for all Texans.
“In his work and through his involvement with Episcopal Church and local organizations, Neel has distinguished himself in service to those who are marginalized, whose rights are ignored or whose dignity is not upheld and respected,” said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. “His passion for justice and compassion for others make him an invaluable member of our Board of Directors, and his leadership and expertise will make him an outstanding Chair.”
Based in San Antonio, Lane earned his BA in 1984 from Columbia University and his JD in 1988 from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the Texas Law Review and served as Research and Notes Editor for Volume 66. He is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas.
“I am humbled and honored to be asked to serve in this role, for an organization that truly goes beyond the end of the road to empower people all over the world to improve their own lives,” Lane said. “Episcopal Relief & Development is already a wonderful organization, staffed by top-level professionals, and supported by generous and faithful donors. I will use whatever gifts I have been blessed with to help Episcopal Relief & Development become an even more powerful instrument of God’s love.”
Episcopal Relief & Development works with more than 3 million people in nearly 40 countries worldwide to overcome poverty, hunger and disease through multi-sector programs that utilize local resources and expertise. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with Anglican Communion and ecumenical partners to help communities rebuild after disasters and develop long-term strategies to create a thriving future. In 2015, the organization joins Episcopalians and friends in celebrating 75 Years of Healing a Hurting World.
