12 February 2021 • Nevada Lawyer 3 poor andminoritycommunities againstvotersuppression. clinics andprovidedfreelegal servicestoaddresstheneedsof disenfranchised andpolitically oppressed,establishedfreelegal segregation ineducation,advocated fortheneedsofthosewhoare existed. Throughout itshistory, theNBA has challengedracial businesses andbuildanetworkofsupportthathadnotpreviously Court. The NBA alsohelpedtostayexecutions,openBlack to Blackvotingrights,fromsecuringaseatontheU.S.Supreme 1930, NBA effortshelpedblockJohnJ.Parker, aknownadversary National Association forthe Advancement ofColored People.In and otherorganizations ofcolor, workingattimesalongsidethe legal action. the country. in AfricanAmericanlawyers than1,000 were fewer by attorneys 12 established renamed theNational BarAssociation(NBA).Itwas BarAssociation”was bornandwas“Negro later relationships withotherattorneys. anddevelop of theirnetwork receive mentorship enhancetheiradvocacyskills, to the opportunity thatwouldallowthem organization a professional own.” Association, they decided toorganizetheir totheAmericanBar been deniedmembership “At theheightofJimCrow era,having Strong Still Standing Las Vegas Bar Association: National BarAssociation National AND BRITTNIE T. WATKINS, ESQ. AUGUSTA MASSEY, ESQ., KEITH J.D. HIGHTOWER, BY ANGELA M. COOK, ESQ., KAREN CORMIER, The NBA became activeincivilrightsadvocacythrough 1

In theearly1900s, sought Blacklawyers 4 Members oftheNBA providedcounseltopeople 3

at atimewhenthere 2 In1925, the

5

or supportsystem forNevada’s Blackattorneys. to theNBA, LVNBA wascreated toprovideahome Jr. andJusticeofthePeaceEarle W. White Jr. Johnnie B.Rawlinson,Dan Winder, Arthur L. Williams T. Evans,Judge Addeliar D.GuyIII,JamesO.Porter, Davidson, Michael Allen Davis,DavidDean, Booker F. Barbero,B.JeanneBanks,MarcusCooper, James The LVNBA’s founderswereRobert Archie, Andras there werelessthan20BlackattorneysinNevada. Association (LVNBA) was foundedin1981when Association BackThen The LasVegas National Bar the NBA,manymoregoalsremain. progress intheseissueshasbeenmadesincethebirthof to issuesthataffecttheBlackcommunity. Although in advocatingforcivilrights,socialjusticeandsolutions Black legalprofessionals. The NBA isalsostillinvolved and supporttherecruitment,retentiongrowthof advancement andprofessionaldevelopmentofmembers around theworld. than 80affiliatechaptersthroughouttheU.S.and 23 lawsections,10divisions,12regions,andmore governors electedbythemembershipandconsistsof Nationally, theorganization isdirectedbyaboardof attorneys, judges,lawprofessorsandstudents. professionals. Itiscomposedofapproximately66,000 supporting andadvancingtheinterestsofBlacklegal national organization thatfocusesitseffortson The National BarAssociationToday The Las Vegas ChapteroftheNationalBar The NBA’s missionistoprovideresourcesforthe Today, theNBA isanonprofit,nonpartisan,

and

6

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Nevada presidential caucuses and also hosted a judicial candidate forum ahead of Nevada’s mostly mail-in primary election, both of which were designed to inform voters and make it easier for community members to exercise their civic duties. A fundraiser for Three Square also provided relief to food- LVNBA Board members at Annual insecure families in the community Scholarship and Awards Gala. during the early phases of the pandemic. The LVNBA also partnered with public officials to host community events, such as the Youth Justice Forum, where members engaged with students to deliver information about their rights during encounters with law enforcement. The LVNBA recognizes that building pipelines to the LVNBA members participate legal field begins early in Andale! 5k Run/Walk to and justice for all. and thus hosts an annual back-to-school assist in raising scholarship drive for elementary students. This year, funds for Latino students who • Advance the science of aspire to attend law school. jurisprudence through education, LVNBA members celebrated Juneteenth scholarly analysis and by contributing to the back-to-school commentary, and professional drive to supply children with the basic leadership and development. tools needed to succeed while ensuring The Las Vegas National that the fight for freedom and equality • Bar Association Now Improve the administration of continues well into the future. justice, preserve the independence Currently, it is estimated that there In the same spirit, the LVNBA of the judiciary, and uphold the works to support the success of diverse are approximately 157 Black attorneys in honor and integrity of the legal Nevada, comprising approximately 2.73 law students, often partnering with the profession. percent of the Nevada bar.7 Of those Black Black Law Student Association (BLSA) attorneys, approximately half are members • Promote social dialogue among at the William S. Boyd School of Law of the LVNBA. The current board of the members of the bar. at UNLV to accomplish this goal. An the LVNBA includes Augusta Massey, • Advance policy that improves LVNBA mentorship program pairs president; Brittnie Watkins, vice president; health care, economic and attorneys with students for networking Karen Williams-Cormier, treasurer; education opportunities, and use opportunities, advice and career guidance. Angela Cook, recording secretary; Keith Additionally, to provide financial support J.D. Hightower, corresponding secretary; of the franchise guaranteed by the Constitution of the U.S. to law students, the LVNBA offers book Christopher Guy, co-historian; Loline- scholarships, one of which was most Marie Djidade, co-historian; and Jonathan • Protect civil and political rights recently awarded to BLSA President Lee, parliamentarian. The LVNBA has of the citizens and residents of Sebastian Ross. The LVNBA’s signature 12 committees devoted to a range of

the U.S. objectives from hosting an advocacy event, its Annual Scholarship Gala, is competition for high school students to centered on raising scholarship funds for voter initiatives, career advancement and In the Community law students for books, bar exams and networking, mentorship and its annual The LVNBA is dedicated to not other law school-related expenses. At the scholarship gala. only uplifting the legal community, but gala, the LVNBA also honors nonprofit Nevada Lawyer Nevada the entire community. This past year, the organizations that share its vision of The LVNBA’s standing mission LVNBA encouraged the community to equality, law firms that support its work, • is to achieve the following: exercise its power at the ballot box by attorneys who demonstrate a commitment serving as a source for voter information to justice and legal pioneers. • Promote education, and education. For instance, the LVNBA The organization held its first professionalism, and the hosted a caucus training ahead of the scholarship gala in 1989 in support of pursuit of equal opportunity 2021 February CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 13 14 February 2021 • Nevada Lawyer 3 org/join-renew LVNBA. Visit interested insupportingthegoals ofthe Membership now asitwasatitsinception. unrest, theLVNBA’s roleis asimportant law forpeopleofcolor. Giventhesocial advancement ofequaltreatmentunderthe to ensuremeasurablechangeinthe partnerships, thecommitteeisworking From policyinitiativestocommunity justice thathasledtorecentsocialunrest. address theraciallydisparatedeliveryof to concentrateeffortsandresources Racial JusticeCommitteewascreated its pursuitofjusticeforall. The LVNBA’s Justice and racialequality. its ongoingeffortstobringaboutsocial community leaderstoremainvigilantin local barassociations,organizations and to formvaluablepartnershipswithother to nameafew. The LVNBA continues community lawenforcementinitiatives, Bar ofNevada,charterschoolboardsand volunteer activities,includingtheState are activeinotherorganizations and LVNBA-sponsored events,members diversity andinclusion.Inadditionto materials topromoteeducationon profession, providingattendeeswith racial biasandprejudiceinthelegal Bar Association toofferaCLEon American InnofCourtandtheLatino partnered withtheHowardD.McKibben CLEs. InNovember2020,theLVNBA and panels,networkingevents community includehostingspeakers anticipated in2021. event, whichwaspostponedandisgreatly LVNBA’s plansforits2020signature the globalhealthcrisisdampened its 30 of celebrities.In2019,theLVNBA hosted even beenknowntodrawtheattendance community andotherdignitaries,has for wide-rangingmembersofthelegal and accesstojustice. increasing diversityinthelegalcommunity Strong Still Standing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Membership isopentoanyone Central totheLVNBA’s missionis Other LVNBA eventsinthelegal th Annual ScholarshipGala.However,

https://www.lasvegasnba. to becomeamember. The galaisa draw draw 2. 1. org/ Bar Association, National moines-iowa kerry-james-marshall-monument-des- theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/jul/17/ The Guardian,July17,2018, unveiling hispivotalblackhistorymonument Janelle Zara, Bar Association. Las Vegas ChapteroftheNational Committee andispresidentofthe State BarofNevada’s FeeDispute planning. Shealsoservesonthe litigation, bankruptcyandestate dispute resolution,commercial law, alternative the areasofbusiness PLLC, practicingin Associates LawFirm, attorney atMassey& is the AUGUSTA MASSEY National Bar Association. National of theLasVegas Chapterofthe and servesasrecordingsecretary University ofNevada,LasVegas an adjunctfacultylecturerat welfare. Sheisalso in theareaofchild Nevada, practicing Center ofSouthern Project atLegal Aid Children’s Attorneys is anattorneyinthe ANGELA M.COOK Highest Honors. graduating in2017withProBono University ofNevada,LasVegas, S. BoydSchoolofLawatthe his JurisDoctorfromtheWilliam University ofHawai`iin2013,and of Educationinteachingfromthe University in2009,hisMaster’s Bachelor of Arts fromColumbia in politicalscienceandearnedhis Vegas. Hemajored Las For America at Teachrelationships affairs andcorporate the government HIGHTOWER KEITH J.D. (lastvisitedNovember21,2020). managing . Kerry JamesMarshall:

directs

https://nationalbar. https://www.

, 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2020 State BarofNevada, Anderson, Bar Association, National Zara, 2011) American LegalHistoryinNevada(1861- J. Anderson, Rachel litigation. Sheis complex commercial PLLC, practicing Pisanelli Bice, is anattorney BRITTNIE T. WATKINS past threeyearsfortheLVNBA. She hasbeenthetreasurerfor while finalizinganursingdegree. worked inpersonalinjuryareas an insurancelicense.Shehas California. Additionally, she holds estate licenseinNevadaand Superior Court.Shehasherreal for theSanDiego Honors afterclerking Law, withProBono Jefferson Schoolof from Thomas J.D. CORMIER KAREN WILLIAMS- magazine. Association’s editor oftheClarkCountyBar Association andanassociate Chapter oftheNationalBar vice presidentoftheLasVegas for theStateBarofNevada, also agovernor

4(2012), supra supra note 1. earnedher

http://ht.ly/eROwP Communiqué at note 3. Timeline of African Timeline Demographics Report supra

note 2.

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