Why
You Need A Black Lawyer or Attorney:
Black
lawyers and attorneys often defend
civil rights and discrimination cases.
Black judges decide on various matters.
However, both can speak proficiently
on current cases, current injustices,
and even urban issues. Having a black
lawyer or lawmaker speak to your audience
will give them a firsthand experience
of today's legal system.
Many
black lawyers haved served urban communities
for 10+ years, and are active as civil
rights activists. Some write weekly
columns for the black press, and even
offer pro-bono services to black-owned
companies and families.
Related
Web Sites/Organizations:
Black
Women Lawyers' Association
- an organization that identifies
and addresses issues and concerns
that are unique to Black female lawyers
and paralegals. Their goal is to improve
the administration of justice by increasing
the participation of African American
women throughout the legal system.
California
Association of Black Lawyers
- Representing over 5,000 Black lawyers,
this organization aims to promote
reforms in the law and the administration
of justice. Their mission is to denounce
injustice, introduce relevant legislation
in our best interests, and promote
the appointment and election of more
African-Americans.
CNN
Report - In October 2007,
CNN and the Associated press revealed
that Black lawyers are a rare commodity
in the U.S. Supreme Court. The article
reports that, "Although the Supreme
Court does not keep racial breakdowns
of lawyers who argue before the justices,
records indicate that the first black
to appear before the justices was
J. Alexander Chiles in 1910."
Lawyers'
Committee For Civil Rights Under Law
- This nonpartisan, nonprofit organization,
was formed in 1963 at the request
of President John F. Kennedy to involve
the private bar in providing legal
services to address racial discrimination.
The principal mission of the Lawyers'
Committee is to secure, through the
rule of law, equal justice under law.
National
Bar Association - a 75
year old organization of Black lawyers
designed to improve the administration
of justice, preserve the independence
of the judiciary, and to uphold the
honor and integrity of the legal profession.
National
Black Law Students Association
- This organization articulates and
promotes the professional needs and
goals of thousands of active Black
law students. Their board of advisors
and directors is made up of students
and professors from various law schools
across the country.
National
Conference of Black Lawyers
- an association of lawyers, scholars,
judges, legal workers, law students
and legal activists. Their mission
is to serve as the legal arm of the
movement for Black Liberation, to
protect human rights, to achieve self-determination
of Africa and African Communities
and to work in coalition to assist
in ending oppression of all peoples.
