Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., is an American civil rights leader and lawyer. He is a partner in the Washington, D.C./Dallas, Texas, law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. In 1972, he became president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League. He was one of the most visible and influential leaders of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Jordan is on the board of directors of several major corporations including R.J. Reynolds Industries, American Express Company and Celanese Corporation.