KERYL FOR HLA PRESIDENT-ELECT ***For more information on HLA and to join, visit www.HoustonLawyersAssociation.org
Newly Appointed United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Texas Al Bennett is a Member Association’s rule of non-admission of Black lawyers and, along with W. M. C. Dickson and F. S. A. Whittaker, formed the Houston Lawyers Association. Today, HLA continues to fulfill the mission of its founders, by providing its lawyers a forum and an opportunity to address various issues that affect the Black community. HLA currently conducts continuing legal education seminars, evaluates judicial candidates, promotes community service activities and distributes information in an effort to foster the network necessary for professional growth and development. Houston Lawyers Association Founders
Weldon H. Berry Weldon H. Berry, was an alumnus of Texas Southern University School of Law where he received his Jusris Doctorate in 1952. As a Cooperating Attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, he tried many federal cases involving civil rights violations. He was also a plaintiff in the highly publicized State of Texas case LULAC v. Attorney General of Texas. He was a former member of the judiciary and was a judge for the 80th Civil District Court of Harris County. In addition to being a founding member of the Houston Lawyers Association he was also a member of the Texas College Alumni Association, the Bronze Eagles Flying Club, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the New Mount Carmel Baptist Church. His Awards include: Houston Men’s Club “Man of the Year” – 1983, Thurgood Marshall School of Law “Distinguished Service Award” – 1984, and Texas College “Alumnus of the Year” – 1984.
Robert Hainsworth Robert Hainsworth, graduated from Howard University in 1930. After graduation, he returned to Houston where he obtained employment as a principal of a Houston night school. He was also commissioned as an Officer in the Army and later served as an Office in the Air Force Reserves. He later attended Howard University School of Law and upon graduation in 1949, he once again returned to Houston to practice Law. After witnessing the discrimination the Houston attorneys faced, he became instrumental in founding the Houston lawyers Association. He was the plaintiff in a suit against the City of Houston, which challenged segregating seating in the city’s law library. He practiced law until his death in 1981. He was also involved in local and state politics and ran for a seat in the state legislature. He was a trustee of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
Robeson L. King Robeson L. King, a native of Wichita Falls, Texas, graduated from University of Chicago Law School in 1948, Upon graduation, King came to Houston and became the first law librarian and a faculty member at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he remained until his retirement in 1986. He simultaneously maintained a law practice with his partner. Aloysius M. Wickliff, Sr. He was a founding member of the Houston Lawyers Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. His honors and awards include: Charles A. George Dental Society “Award for Merito-
rious Service” – 1965, Texas Southern University “Service Recognition Award” for twenty years of service – 1968. “Booker T. Washington High School “Teacher of the Year Award” – 1969, and the Wichita Falls “Outstanding Alumni Award” – 1969.
Matthew W. Plummer Matthew W. Plummer, is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and was a graduate of the first class of Texas Southern University Law School for Negroes in 1949. While practicing law in Houston, he filed suit to desegregate the cafeteria of the Harris County Courthouse – Plummer v. Derrington. He is a former Judge of the 133rd Civil District Court. His civic affiliations include: Past President of the Houston Lawyers Association, founder of the Texas Land Owners Association (a minority organization dedicated to the problems of land loss by Black Americans), President of the Tuskegee Civic Association, and founding member of the Tuskegee Branch of the NAACP. His awards include the Wiley A. Branton Award – 1992. As an expert in the areas of probate and land law, several of his cases are cited in a seminal work on land law in Texas, authored by Harold F. Thurow.
Aloysius M. Wickliff Sr. Aloysius M. Wickliff, Sr., a native of Liberty, Texas, graduated from Catholic University with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1951. He returned to Texas in 1952 and joined Robeson L. King in the practice of Law. He is a member of several organizations including the Houston Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Council #72 of the Knights of St. Peter Claver. Mr. Wickliff’s civic affiliations included: President of the Harris Council of Organizations. He was also very active and involved in the political life of this community. His honors and awards include: Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Community Service – 1989, Attorney General Salute for Outstanding Service and Leadership – 1989, Democratic National Committee Certificate of Appreciation – 1982, and many others.
Francis Williams Williams Francis Williams, is a native of Austin who graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1950. After graduation, he came to Houston and joined Henry E. Doyle in the practice of law. He was a founding member of the Houston Lawyers Association, among other organizations. One of his best know lawsuits was the HISD integration case. While maintining his practice, Williams also served as President of the NAACP – Houston Branch, President of the Harris County Council of Organizations, Executive Director of the Harris County Community Action Organization, and Chairman of the HISD Board of Education Legislative Committee.
Judge Alfred Homer Bennett (born 1965) is now the United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas.
B
ennett received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988 from the University of Houston. He received a Juris Doctor in 1991 from the University of Texas School of Law. He served as an attorney at the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski from 1991 to 1994 and at the law firm of Solar & Fernandes LLP from 1994 to 1998. From 1998 to 2008, he was a solo practitioner, representing individuals and companies in litigation before both Federal and State courts. From 2009 to 2015, he served as the Presiding Judge for the 61st Civil District Court of Texas. From 2010 to 2011, he served as the Administrative Judge for the Harris County Civil District Courts. On September 18, 2014, President Obama nominated Bennett to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, to the seat vacated by Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt, who took senior status on March 2, 2013. On December 16, 2014 his nomination was returned to the President due to the sine die adjournment of the 113th Congress. On January 7, 2015, President Obama renominated him to the same position.[3] He received a hearing before the Judiciary Committee on January 21, 2015.[4] On February 26, 2015 his nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote.[5] On April 13, 2015 the United States Senate voted 95-0 in favor of confirmation.[6] He received his judicial commission on April 15, 2015. SOURCE: Wikipedia (The Free Encyclopedia)
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