LEGAL FORIM
A Special Report
Alpha's Legal Eagle Takes a Well-Deserved Bow Outgoing General Counsel Milton Carver Davis is a shining star on the American legal scene. From a cursory reading of "The History of Alpha Phi Alpha," it's not clear exactly how many Brothers have served in the office of General Counsel. The listing of General Officers by administration in the index only shows this office from the 27th Administration (1940). This was the last term of the Wesley presidency and Brother Belford V. Lawson was the counsel of record. However, the summary of the 1929 General Convention in Atlanta (Chapter XI, Page 182, 12th Edition) contains the following citation: "A report was made by the General Counsel, Perry B. Jackson, concerning cases of discrimination against black students at Ohio University . . .". Future historians will undoubtedly solve this dilemma, but it is clear from our partial listing of fourteen confirmed counsels that they were a special breed. Jackson's finding led to the creation of the historic "Go To High School — Go To College" campaign. Lawson and Ernest Morial (later Mayor of New Orleans) became General Presidents, in addition to forging distinguished careers in the legal field. Jawn Sandifer was a pioneer in civil rights; James McGee was Mayor of Dayton, Ohio; William H. Brown, III was Chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the list goes on. Those who know him are confident that the immediate past General Counsel, Brother Milton C. Davis, will reach similar lofty heights on the American scene. While we wait for their visions to be realized, we can assuredly take a moment to thank this youthful attorney for stellar service during his four-year tenure as General Counsel of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In this period, 1985 through 1988, Brother Davis focused on girding his beloved Fraternity to protect itself from the many pitfalls which threaten national membership organizations in this litigous society. In so doing, his work has made a dramatic and positive impact on the manner in which we conduct our affairs. Indeed, much of the planning for the next decade will Continued on Page 12
The Sphinx/Spring 1989
While serving as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama, Brother Davis was largely responsiblef or securing a pardon for Clarence Norris — the last survivor of the Scottsboro boys. His stellar performance as Alpha Phi Alpha's General Counsel over the past four years has ushered in a new era of consciousness about the heavy responsibility we assume in managing an international membership organization. He'll now serve as Chairman of the newly created Commission on Racial Justice. Page 9