The Latino Legal Voice for Civil Rights In America MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) opened its doors in 1968, founded by Mexican American activists from throughout the southwestern United States to pursue civil rights for the Latino community through the legal system. MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access. Consciously modeled on the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, MALDEF has earned, through its history, a reputation as the “law firm of the Latino community.” Today, nearly half a century after its founding, MALDEF continues to vigorously pursue a mission of protecting and promoting the civil rights of all Latinos living in the United States.