JOHN VANDERSTAR
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Born September 17, 1933, Jersey City, New Jersey.
received full scholarship to Princeton, graduating in 1954 with BSE degree.
Served in U.S. Navy 1954 through 1958 as officer in airborne early warning squadron and
training unit.
Attended Harvard Law School, graduated cum laude 1961. Developments editor of Harvard
Law Review.
Educated in public schools and then
Married to M. Elizabeth Culbreth March 16, 1985. Four grown daughters by previous marriage.
Joined Covington & Burling law firm in 1961, became partner in 1970, retired September 30,
2000. Practice was in all phases of federal court and administrative agency litigation and
arbitration, including both commercial and civil rights law.
Active in District of Columbia Bar on various committees. Served three-year term as member of
Board of Governors in May 1985. Formerly chair, Judicial Evaluation Committee, and member
of committee on alternate dispute resolution, Litigation Division. Mediator, U.S. District Court.
Former adjunct professor (antitrust), Georgetown University Law Center.
Community activity: Member of the Board, ACLU, National Capital Area 1970-1980; chairman
1976-78; recipient of Alan Barth Service Award December 1984. Member of the Board, NOW
Legal Defense and Education Fund 1979-95. Former member of the Board, Legal Counsel for
the Elderly, Volunteer Lawyers Project. Member of the Board, Planned Parenthood of
Metropolitan Washington, 1998 to present; treasurer 2001 to present.
Active member of St. Columba’s Episcopal Church; formerly senior warden. Co-founder and
first president, Iona Senior Services. Chairman of Finance Committee, Episcopal Diocese of
Washington, 1987-90. Member and Secretary, Bishop Search Committee 1989-90. Delegate to
Diocesan Convention numerous times. Former Member, Soper Advisory Group. Member,
House of Deputies, Episcopal General Convention (National Church legislature), since 1994.
Member, Executive Council, 2003 to present.. Member and Secretary, Board of Directors,
Episcopal Women’s Caucus, 1995-2001.
Current address and telephone: 1300 Crystal Dr., S., #705 Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 414-0933; FAX (703) 414-0934.
Summer: 113 Goodson Spring Road, Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-9635; FAX (828) 456-9659
– c3 –