Alvin Chambliss Received the Civil Rights Equilibrium Award at the National Black Pre-Law Conference

HOUSTON - Dec. 24, 2014 - PRLog -- Attorney Alvin O. Chambliss, “The Last Original Civil Rights Lawyer,” was recently honored with the Civil Rights Equilibrium Award at the 10^th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair’s 10 for 10 Awards Banquet & Aspiring Lawyers Pinning Ceremony at the Houston Marriott Westchase in Houston, Texas.  This conference is well-known as the nation’s premier information-sharing and networking event for aspiring Black lawyers and has helped empower thousands of African Americans from all over the country who are interested in following the challenging path of becoming a lawyer.

This year, Attorney Chambliss was one of ten outstanding lawyers selected from throughout the United States to be honored in recognition of the ten years of the conference’s existence.   Attorney Chambliss was chosen for this honor because he fought for and won a multi-million dollar settlement in a class action lawsuit, Ayers v. Fordice, to end the State of Mississippi’s nearly three decade long battle over college desegregation and unequal funding.  He is a former law professor, and is considered the leading expert on higher education desegregation and Black public colleges in America.   He has devoted his entire professional life to working to provide excellent legal representation to the poor and powerless in American society.  His legal advocacy work has been lauded by civil rights activists, community leaders and educators alike across the nation.

Nearly 200 people attended this important awards banquet with the majority being future lawyers.  What made this event particularly special was that each honoree was given their own table, including Attorney Chambliss, so that those aspiring to become lawyers would have the opportunity to meet and sit with a legal luminary and not just among themselves.

After receiving his honor, not only did he captivate the audience with his riveting acceptance speech, but he also participated in the highlight of the entire conference, the Aspiring Lawyers Pinning Ceremony.  During this occasion, all of the aspiring lawyers recited a powerful, affirming success pledge.  Shortly thereafter, they were all pinned with a bronze eagle pendant by current lawyers, who helped plant seeds of confidence, encouragement and high expectations.  Through their actions, they let them know that if they achieved their goals despite the obstacles, it can be done.  Attorney Chambliss pinned numerous aspiring Black lawyers and committed to continuing his support and relationship with the event and its work to empower future lawyers.

Other distinguished honorees included:  The Honorable Vicki Miles-LaGrange, Chief U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, Algernon A.J. Cooper, Esq., Founder of the National Conference of Black Mayors and the National Black Law Students Association, Harry E. Johnson, Sr., Esq., President & CEO of the Friends of the Memorial Foundation, Inc., Christopher Chestnut, Esq., Principal & CEO of The Chestnut Firm, Sylvia James, Esq., Diversity Counsel for Baker Botts LLP, Dr. Clarence B. Jones, Esq., Former Personal Counsel and Draft Speech Writer to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Irene O. Joe, Esq., Clinical Teaching Fellow at the UCLA School of Law, Dr. Walter L. Sutton, Associate General Counsel for Legal Administration and External Affairs, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq., President and Executive Director at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

This particular awards ceremony is one that will only take place once-in-the-life  of the organization.  It was truly a memorable and life-changing event for many of the attendees who otherwise would not have access to the information, resources and opportunities to network and find potential mentors that this event provided.  According to attendee Saphra Cleveland, "The conference was amazing, and unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life...it was so positive, and definitely added more eagerness to begin my journey to becoming a lawyer."