National Bar Association Hit Record Numbers with More than 1,300 in Attendance at 87th Convention

July 26, 2012 - PRLog -- The National Bar Association (NBA), the largest group of African-American lawyers and judges, showed up in record numbers for their 87th Annual Convention and Exhibits at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, July 14th-19th.  More than 1,300 guests filled meeting rooms to listen to the best and brightest on various issues including voter empowerment, gaming law, corporate leadership, education and more.  “I am pleased at the display of dedication and commitment from our NBA members,” says Demetris Cheatham, executive director. “Their willingness to share information and work collectively as a body is encouraging and admirable.  With the leadership of our executive team, we will continue to grow and make an impact throughout the nation.”

The NBA recognized several leaders for their outstanding work in the legal field and within their communities.  Sixteen awards were presented to deserving members at the annual awards gala by past president Daryl Parks, Esq.  The recipients included Benjamin Crump, Esq; Linnes Finney, Jr., Esq.; D. Peter Herbert, Esq. (O.B.E.); John W. Boyd, Jr., Esq.; Greg Francis, Esq. and Toyota.  Other award recipients included The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), VAULT, Juliette Pryor, Esq. and Laurie N. Robinson, Esq., who were all presented with the 2012 Pinnacle Award.  In addition, the National Bar teamed with Impact to recognize the Nation’s Best Advocates: Top 40 Lawyers Under 40.  The recipients of the Nation's Best Advocate of the Year, Excellence in Leadership, Service, Activism, and Innovation Awards were also presented.

The event welcomed several special guests including panelists Barbara Arnwine (Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law), Donna Brazile (Democratic National Committee) and Gary Flowers (Black Leadership Forum). The three political advocates led the Presidential Showcase Forum on voter empowerment and election protection.  High-profile case attorneys Benjamin Crump, Esq. and President Daryl Parks, Esq. (attorneys for Trayvon Martin’s family) along with Chris Chestnut, Esq. (attorney for Robert Champion’s family in the FAMU hazing case) were featured speakers for the “Update from the Experts” panel and offered details on their respective cases.  The parents of Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, were in attendance and shared a few words of thanks to the NBA.  The Lawyers’ Committee also honored the parents for their strength and courageous spirit.

The convention members had a chance to go into the community for two of their events including the Young Lawyers Pro-Bono Clinic where they offered free legal advice and answered questions for Las Vegas community residents at First A.M.E. Church.  The 6th Annual Linnes Finney, Jr. NBA Youth Day welcomed teens ages 13-18 at the Boyd School of Law-UNLV.   The day-long program provided Las Vegas students with a chance to learn about careers in the legal profession.  In addition, 12 teens from around the country competed for national titles and $5,000 in the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Competition.  More than $25,000 was awarded at the national competition.  

John Page, Esq. was sworn in as the new NBA president, taking over the leadership position for Daryl Parks, Esq.  The 88th Annual Convention is scheduled for July 27-August 1, 2013 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida.  

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About the National Bar Association:
The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. For additional information about the National Bar Association, visit www.nationalbar.org.