William Lightfoot

Lightfoot served as the chair of Muriel Bowser's campaigns for mayor of the District of Columbia in 2014 and 2018. After his two terms on the Council ended, Lightfoot returned to full-time work, and he became a partner at the firm.

Washington Metropolitan Council AFL–CIO and Greater Washington chapter of Americans for Democratic Action endorsed Lightfoot's candidacy.

Lightfoot was a co-chair of Adrian Fenty's transition committee in 2006 and Fenty's inaugural committee in 2007. Lightfoot was also the chair of Fenty's reelection campaign in 2010.

·Selected in 2006 to be included in The Best Lawyers in America. ·

On January 30, 1996, Lightfoot told the Washington Informer, "I probably wouldn't run for re-election this year. I have two small children and I would very much like to teach them various things, being a good father and nurturing them. But I think the key word here is that I probably wouldn't run. But I haven't made up my mind as yet." The following month, Lightfoot decided not to run for reelection.

· Community Action Inc- Certificate of appreciation- For outstanding and dedicated service to our youth parents and November 30th 1996.

· Court Appointed Special Advocates (Casa) Program of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Special Recognition Award. With sincere appreciation for outstanding support of the DC Casa unit program of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on behalf of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in the District of Columbia. Presented by Inez G Wood, President & Anne Radd, Director. October 9, 1996.

· Kiwanis Club of Shepard Park- For Outstanding Service to Youth. June 11, 1995.

· Fletcher- Johnson Education Center- In appreciation for your outstanding dedication and commitment. Presented by George H. Rutherford, II, PH.D. Principal. June 1995.

· North Michigan Park Civic Association- Community Service Award. October 20, 1995.

Lightfoot filed paperwork to run for mayor as an independent in August 1994. He withdrew from the race a month later.

In 1993, Lightfoot proposed merging the Council of the District of Columbia with the District of Columbia Board of Education, creating a larger, united government entity.

· District of Columbia Consumers Utility Board- In Appreciation for distinguished leadership serving the interests of utility consumers. January 21, 1993

· SS& D Lecture Series- Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding and dedicated service. 1993.

· The Granville Academy, D.C. Chapter- “Keynote Speaker," 1993-1994

Lightfoot ran for reelection in 1992. Lightfoot was on the general election ballot along with incumbent Democrat John Ray, Republican Philip Baten, D.C. Statehood Sam Jordan, and Independent Brian Moore.

During the Government of the District of Columbia's financial troubles in 1991, Lightfoot proposed increasing the utility tax in order to honor the Council's promise to give $36 million in raises to government employees. The Council unanimously passed the utility tax three months later. Lightfoot turned down two salary increases that members of the Council were given. Lightfoot was one of twelve council members who voted to end the employment of 2,000 mid-level managers because the government did not have the cash to pay them. When an arbitration panel decided that police officers must be given four-percent raises each year for three years, Lightfoot protested, saying the District did not have the cash. Lightfoot was also concerned that it would set precedent to also give raises to other governmental employees, which would require increases to income tax rates.

In May 1991, a police officer shot a Salvadoran man, Daniel Enrique Gomez, and arrested him on a charge of disorderly conduct. The shooting led to the looting, burning, and vandalizing of more than three dozen businesses in Mount Pleasant, Adams Morgan, and Columbia Heights. Lightfoot and Frank Smith introduced a bill to give tax breaks to businesses that had sustained damages.

· Little League Baseball - In appreciation of valuable support and acknowledgement of your generosity to Little League Baseball. Presented by Senators Booster Club. 1991.

· Outstanding Community Service- Presented by Commissioner Joan M. Thomas 4D10. October 12, 1991

· Gap Community Child Care Center(GAP)- For consistent support of GAP's multi cultural program and efforts toward quality education for all children of the District of Columbia. 1990.

· Concerned Citizens on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CCADA INC.)- Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding and Dedicated Service. Samuel Foster, Executive Director. July 15, 1990

· N.W. Boundary Civic Association- Appreciation Award- For outstanding and dedicated service to the Washington, D.C. community. October 28, 1990.

Lightfoot was elected to the Council with 27 percent of the vote. He was inaugurated on January 2, 1989.

· D.C. Department of Public Works- Capital City -By John E. Touchstone, Director. March 1989

· Center City Community Corporation- Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding and dedicated service. August 26, 1989

· Organizations for youth and community- plaque of appreciation in recognition of participation in the first annual youth recognition and community service awards day. Donated by Ontario Lakers. September 23rd, 1989

In 1988, Lightfoot ran again for an at-large seat on the Council of the District of Columbia, this time running as an independent.

· The Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO- For contributions and untiring efforts in representing the interests of workers, consumers, the environment, senior citizens, and the unemployed. From the officers & members of the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO. 12 of March 1988.

In June 1986, Lightfoot announced he would run as a Democrat for at-large member of the Council of the District of Columbia, essentially challenging Betty Ann Kane's reelection. Lightfoot said that Kane had helped big businesses more than working residents.

· Bloomingdale Civic Association- In Appreciation. May 4, 1984.

The Council appointed Lightfoot to chair the District of Columbia Cable Design Commission, a commission to write a request for proposal that would determine how cable television should operate in the District, in 1982. The Council gave the Commission 90 days to write the request for proposal, but the Commission asked for another six months to complete it. Lightfoot was opposed to the additional time, saying it unnecessarily delayed the awarding of a cable franchise. The Commission released the request for proposal in July 1983. The Commission determined that there should be minimum offering of 60 channels for residents and 25 channels for businesses and governmental agencies. The winning franchiser should set aside several of the channels for municipal and community use, provide studios to the public to produce programming, provide grants to support public-benefit television programs, provide service to all eight wards, and complete all work within five years. The Washington Post named Lightfoot one of "Five to Watch in 1984", calling him the "cable czar".

In 1981, a voter referendum was proposed that would allow taxpayers a $1,200 income tax credit for each dependent child attending school. Lightfoot successfully challenged the petitions as being collected by someone who was not a District resident, which made those signatures invalid. Without sufficient valid signatures, the referendum was not on the November ballot.

Lightfoot was a partner at the personal injury law firm of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot in Washington, D.C. From 1981 to 2019. He has first began working for the law firm in 1981. During his tenure on the Council, Lightfoot worked part-time at the law firm. After his two terms on the Council ended, Lightfoot returned to full-time work, and he became a partner at the firm.

Lightfoot began his political career as a staff member for District of Columbia Council member Wilhelmina Rolark from 1979 to 1981.

Originally from Philadelphia, Lightfoot graduated from Howard University. He earned a juris doctor from Washington University School of Law in 1978.

William Parker Lightfoot (born January 3, 1950 is an attorney and politician in Washington, D.C.