Listings of web sites from African American lawyers and organizations
Johnny Cochran
One of the most popular and respected black lawyers of all time.
Jock Smith
This black lawyer co-founded the Cochran firm with Johnny Cochran.
Willie Gary
This black lawyer has won some of the largest U.S. court settlements in history.
Arizona
Black Bar
This Association has recently changed its name to
the Hayzel B Daniels Bar Association. Its mission
is to enhance the professional life of its members.
www.arizonablackbar.org
Arkansas
Black Lawyers
This website gives an informative background of black
lawyers who were known to have practiced between 1865
and 1950.
www.arkansasblacklawyers.com
Black
Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association
BESLA is an international organization of lawyers
and other entertainment and sports industry executives
in support of a more diversified, expert and informed
group of entertainment and sports industry professionals.
www.besla.org
Black
Lawyers Association of Cincinnati
This Association is committed to the mission of improving
the administration of criminal and civil justice,
addressing the needs of African American attorneys.
www.cincyblac.org
Black
Women Lawyers’ Association
Part of this Association’s mission is to identify
and address issues and concerns unique to African-American
women lawyers and judges
www.bwla.org
Black
Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
This Association is a non-profit corporation whose
mission is dedicated to charitable, educational and
community-based services.
www.blackwomenlawyersla.org
California
Association of Black Lawyers
CABL continues to be instrumental in increasing the
number of African American judges throughout California.
www.calblacklawyers.org
Charles
Houston Bar Association
This Association represents the interests of African
American lawyers, judges and law students throughout
Northern California.
www.charleshoustonbar.org
Cochran
Firm
This firm, founded by the late Johnny Cochran, is
one of the premier plaintiffs' litigation and criminal
defense law firms in the United States. Cochran, who
died in 2005, was one of the most well-known black
lawyers.
www.cochranfirm.com
Cook
County Bar Association
This Association is the oldest African American Bar
Association in America’s history, coming together
in 1869.
www.cookcountybar.org
D.
Augustus Straker Bar Association
This association was founded as a proactive organization
of diverse attorneys, with a mission of promoting
legal practice opportunities for minorities and women
www.michbar.org
Gate
City Bar Association
Established in 1948, the Gate City Bar Association
is the oldest African American Bar Association in
the State of Georgia.
www.gatecitybar.org
George
W. Crawford Black Bar Association
This Association is a volunteer, non-profit, state-wide
organization of attorneys, judges, and law students
in the State of Connecticut. Its purpose is to work
aggressively for the enhancement of the role of Black
people in the legal profession
www.georgecrawfordblackbar.org
Great
Washington Area Chapter Women Lawyers Division
GWAC was founded in 1974 by a group of African-American
women attorneys in D.C. who shared a vision of establishing
a professional networking organization that serves
the needs of the community and enhances opportunities
for professional development.
www.gwacbar.org
Houston
Black Lawyers Association
This Association seeks to address injustice and educate
members and the community by serving as a redress
conduit, improving legal services and providing a
voice for the community through advocacy, mentoring,
professionalism and coalition building.
www.houstonlawyersassociation.org
John
Mercer Langston Bar Association
This Association’s purpose is to be a facilitator
for excellence within the legal profession while also
encouraging community service for those in need.
www.jmlba.org
Massachusetts
Black Lawyers Association
Since 1973, the MBLA has provided a valuable network
and visible presence for attorneys of color within
the Massachusetts legal community.
www.massblacklawyers.org
Minnesota
Association of Black Lawyers
Minority bar association dedicated to supporting the
professional development of Black lawyers, judges,
and law students.
www.mabl.org
Monumental
City Bar Association
This Association provides mentoring and counseling
to law students and young lawyers, as well as training
opportunities to advance the education of minority
attorneys.
www.monumentalbar.org
National Black Law Students Association
NBLSA is a national organization formed to articulate
and promote the needs and goals of black law students
and effectuate change in the legal community.
www.nblsa.org
National
Conference of Black Lawyers
This is an an association of lawyers, scholars, judges,
legal workers, law students and legal activists whose
mission is to serve as the legal arm of the movement
for Black Liberation, among other important things.
www.ncbl.org
New
Mexico Black Lawyers Association
Throughout the nearly three-decade existence of the
organization, NMBLA has promoted social justice, encouraged
mutual support among the members, and has contributed
to worthy endeavors.
www.newmexicoblacklawyersassociation.org
Rochester
Black Bar Association
One of the purposes this Association assumes is To
serve as a voice for the concerns and opinions of
African American attorneys in Monroe County, and to
promote the professional development and networking
opportunities.
www.rochesterblackbar.org
W.
Harold Flowers Law Society
In 1938, the Wonder State Bar Association was formed
with W. Harold Flowers being one of the organizers.
The association formally changed its name to the W.
Harold Flowers Law Society in 1981 to recognize and
honor Harold Flowers for his many years of service
to the bar and on behalf of human rights.
www.flowerslawsociety.org
Wiley
W Manuel Bar Association
The Association maintains a supportive role with African
American law students and aids in representing the
legal interests of African Americans in the greater
Sacramento area.
www.wileymanuelbarassociation.com
Willie
Gary Law Firm
Willie Gary is a well-known Black lawyer who has handled
some of the largest jury awards and settlements in
U.S. history. Based in Florida, he has received several
honorary doctorate degrees.
www.garylawgroupfl.com
What
Is A Black Lawyer?
A
lawyer who specializes in areas that are relevant to other
African Americans. Most Black lawyers have a practice
in civil rights, child support, and marriage/divorces.
However, there are many who practice in business law,
real estate, and more.
Why
Is There A Need For Black Lawyers?
Black lawyers are needed to keep the arena diversified.
In the early 1900's, a black defendent had to depend on
a white lawyer to win his case. The problem was that most
whites at the time were racists. To this day though, many
Blacks prefer a Black lawyer to defend them in court.
Who
Are Some Celebrity Black Lawyers?
Johnny Cochran was probably the most well-known
African American lawyer. He died, however, in the early
2000's. Others include Jock Smith (who co-founded the
Cochran firm), and Willie Gary - who is best known for
winning a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Walt Disney
World for patent infringement.
Is
It True That Black Lawyers Are Rare?
According to a 2007 report by the Associated
Press, the number of Black lawyers has actually on the
rise. However, the article states that only "about
5 percent of law firm partners are black." The real
problem, though, is that Black lawyers are not regularly
appearing in Supreme Court. That, in itself, is rare.