Director
Ira F. Coats, Jr. is an attorney who has always had a passion for giving a voice to the voiceless. Having many years of experience in criminal defense and eviction defense law, Ira has established his career by representing both children and adults at the appeals and trial levels.
Raised in Savannah, Georgia, Ira moved to Washington, D.C. in 2021 after a successful career as a Criminal Defense Attorney with the Defenders Association of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ira currently works as a Staff Attorney with AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) initiative in Washington, D.C., where he provides housing and eviction defense representation for individuals who are 60 and older. LCE is committed to bridging the justice gap for vulnerable D.C. elders and helping them live with dignity and assurance that they are not alone. Ira also works as a Youth Engagement Specialist with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. Presently, Sasha Bruce Youthwork is one of the largest and most experienced providers of services to youth in Washington, D.C. Sasha Bruce helps young people find safe homes, achieve, and maintain good physical and mental health, create, and strengthen supportive and stable families, and explore opportunities in education and careers.
Although Ira truly enjoys the law, he too has always had a passion for the theater as well, lending his talents to concerts, plays, and productions all over the East Coast and overseas. Ira has had numerous leading male roles in D.C. as well, where he was nominated for a WATCH Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Harpo in The Color Purple. Ira is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.