In Focus Resource Center > Insights

Black History Month Trailblazers

They Paved the Way in Law

 


 

Throughout history, there have been those driven to make a difference in the world, and others who simply acted with courage and dignity at some point during their lives. In either case, the result was the same – they left a legacy – they paved the way for another to succeed because they did something first. For Black History Month, we are celebrating trailblazers, both past and present, who are paving the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Trailblazers: They Paved the Way in Law

 

Thurgood Marshall

Dennis Archer


Thurgood Marshall was nominated to be a Supreme Court justice in 1967. At that time, very few lawyers in history had argued — and won — more cases before the nation’s highest court. He racked up 29 wins, including his most famous victory, Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 landmark decision that forced public schools to desegregate.

Marshall is arguably the most pivotal figure in the destruction of Jim Crow, and the most consequential lawyer of the 20th century. While other civil rights leaders organized strategically vital sit-ins, marches, and boycotts, Marshall attacked inequality and racism within America's legal system. 

In 2003, Archer became the first Black president of the American Bar Association (ABA), 60 years after the ABA started allowing black lawyers to join the association. In 2016, he was the recipient of the ABA Medal, the association’s highest award. 

Throughout his career, Archer had leadership positions with several bar associations, specifically those for lawyers of color. He was on the board of directors for the Detroit Bar Association. He was president of the Wolverine Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the State Bar of Michigan. Archer stayed involved with the ABA, dedicating his presidency to encouraging greater diversity within the legal profession.

 

 

Trailblazers In Accounting

Trailblazers In Space

Trailblazers in Government

Related Insights

All Insights

Our specialists are here to help.

Get in touch with a specialist in your industry today.

* Required

* I understand and agree to Citrin Cooperman’s Privacy Notice, which governs how Citrin Cooperman collects, uses, and shares my personal information. This includes my right to unsubscribe from marketing emails and further manage my Privacy Choices at any time. If you are a California Resident, please refer to our California Notice at Collection. If you have questions regarding our use of your personal data/information, please send an e-mail to privacy@citrincooperman.com.