People

The Massachusetts Black Lawyers Conference was founded in 1973 to represent the interests of African American attorneys in Massachusetts. It sponsors educational programs for its members, supports African American nominees for judicial appointment, and advocates on behalf of the African American bar in public forums.

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Attorney Macon B. Allen

Attorney Macon B. Allen

Attorney Robert Morris

Attorney Robert Morris

Attorney Butler Wilson

Attorney Butler Wilson

Attorney James H. Wolff

Attorney James H. Wolff

Attorney Edward E. Brown

Attorney Edward E. Brown

Attorney William H. Lewis

Attorney William H. Lewis

Attorney Inez C. Fields

Attorney Inez C. Fields

Attorney Robert Morris Stevens

Attorney Robert Morris Stevens

Attorney Harry T. Daniels

Attorney Harry T. Daniels

Attorney Rudolph F. Pierce

Attorney Rudolph F. Pierce

Attorney Wayne A. Budd

Attorney Wayne A. Budd

Attorney Ralph C. Martin, III

Attorney Ralph C. Martin, III

Attorney Thomas I. Atkins

Attorney Thomas I. Atkins

Attorney Edward W. Brooke

Attorney Edward W. Brooke

Attorney Geraldine S. Hines

Attorney Geraldine S. Hines

Attorney Ruth Ellen Fitch

Attorney Ruth Ellen Fitch

Attorney Marie P. St. Fleur

Attorney Marie P. St. Fleur

Probation Officer Harry F. Lofton

Probation Officer Harry F. Lofton

Firsts

  • George Lewis Ruffin was the first black law student to graduate from Harvard Law School in 1869.
  • In 1901, Clement G. Morgan was the first African American lawyer in Massachusetts to argue before the Supreme Judicial Court.
  • William H. Lewis was appointed the first black assistant attorney general of the United States in 1910 by President William H. Taft.
  • Leanna Johnson, a Portia Law School graduate, became the first woman of color to pass the Massachusetts bar in 1922.