NCJ Number
48071
Journal
ANNALS Volume: 407 Dated: (MAY 1973) Pages: 134-143
Date Published
1973
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF BLACK LAWYERS IN THE UNITED STATES IS TRACED FROM 1844 THROUGH 1973.
Abstract
THE FIRST BLACK LAWYER IN THE UNITED STATES WAS INTRODUCED TO THE STATE BAR OF MAINE IN 1844. SINCE THEN, THE NUMBERS OF BLACK LAWYERS HAVE FLUCTUATED. DURING THE PRE-CIVIL WAR PERIOD, THE HISTORY OF BLACK LAWYERS CONSISTS OF DESCRIPTIONS OF A FEW INDIVIDUALS. DURING RECONSTRUCTION (1867-1875), THE NUMBER AND INFLUENCE OF BLACK LAWYERS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. ALTHOUGH CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS STAND OUT, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SPEAK OF BLACK LAWYERS DURING THIS PERIOD IN TERMS OF AN INFLUENTIAL GROUP WITH A DEFINITE IMPACT ON THE TIMES. FROM 1875 TO 1914, THEIR NUMBER DWINDLED, AND BLACK LAWYERS AGAIN WERE EXCEPTIONS TO SOCIETAL AND LEGAL PROFESSION PATTERNS. BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS, THE NUMBER OF BLACK LAWYERS INCREASED AT A SLOW PACE. IN 1925, BLACKS ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION. THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, BEGINNING IN THE LATE 1950'S, BROUGHT DRAMATIC AND CONTINUING INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BLACK LAWYERS. IN 1973, THERE WERE MORE THAN 4,000 BLACK LAWYERS. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISOLATED INDIVIDUALS WHO MAINTAINED THE TRADITIONS OF THE BLACK LEGAL PROFESSION DURING PERIODS IN WHICH THERE WERE FEW BLACK LAWYERS IS POINTED OUT. THE NEED FOR RECRUITMENT OF BLACKS BY LAW FIRMS AS WELL AS LAW SCHOOLS IS NOTED. (LKM)