Barristers Gala 2023

Jahlee Hatchett, Esq.

President, The Barristers' Association

Nikia Clark, Esq. Event Co-Chair

Shahirah Brown, Esq. Event Co-Chair

ciation of Philadelphia, Inc. & Scholarship Gala

The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia welcomes you to the 2023 Annual Scholarship Awards Gala. This Gala dates back to 1976, born out of the need to honor the significant contributions of Black attorneys dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, justice, equal opportunity and positive change. Since then, the Barristers’ Association has held an annual dinner to celebrate law students, practicing attorneys and jurists who embody professionalism, dedication to the profession as well as a commitment to the Black Philadelphia legal community and public communities

This year, the Barristers’ Association celebrates the “Black Experience” by honoring our Past, acknowledging our Present, and embracing our Future

Tonight, we present the following awards: the J. Austin Norris Award (Charles M. Gibbs), the Cecil B. Moore Award (Shaka Johnson), the Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Award (Hon. C. Darnell Jones, II) and the JoAnne A. Epps Award (Hon. Petrese B. Tucker). Congratulations!

One of the most significant ways to ensure a more diverse legal profession is to increase diversity in law schools Quite naturally, law school student diversity has a direct correlation to diversity in the legal profession A large number of Black law students are first generation students, who have significant financial needs that inhibit their academic success.

The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. is proud to offer annual scholarships to those students to help relieve the financial strain of pursuing a legal education. Please join us in congratulating Ololade Bello (Drexel Law), Jazmine King (Delaware Law), Nia Coleman (Temple Law), Shelleah Jackson (Rutgers Law), Jalyn Johnson (Villanova Law), Chayla Sherrod (Penn Law), and Kandace Smith (Rutgers Law) on being selected as scholarship recipients

Last, the Barristers’ Association would like to sincerely thank our scholarship underwriters: the William Penn Foundation, Troutman Pepper, and Stradley Ronon. Thank you!

With sincere appreciation,

2022-2023 President

Jahlee Hatchett

2023 Gala Co-Chairs

Nikia Clark & Shahirah Brown

of Philadelphia

ciation of Philadelphia, Inc. & Scholarship Gala

OUR HISTORY

Established in 1950, The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc.’s purpose, then and now, has been to address the professional needs and development of Black lawyers in the City of Philadelphia through programs such as seminars, cultural events and publications The work of the organization continues years later with ongoing efforts to support its mission.

Since the early years of its establishment, the Barristers’ Association has also recognized the need, and its obligation, to be a pro-active advocate for the cause against injustice. In 1973, members of the Barristers’ Association served on the Liacouras Commission, which investigated ways to eliminate racial discrimination in bar admission procedures.

In 1978, the Barristers’ Association joined other concerned groups in filing an action against the Philadelphia Registration Commission which resulted in the addition of 50,000 Philadelphians to the voter registration pools. In 1983, the Barristers’ Association provided testimony before the Pennsylvania State Legislature on the issue of the merit selection of judges.

In more recent years, the Barristers’ Association has sponsored or participated in activities that promoted youth awareness and career opportunities in the legal profession, and increased citizens’ awareness of their rights under the law.

Scholarships to minority law students at local law schools are awarded annually to further encourage and support Black students in their pursuit of a degree in law. Continuing Legal Education seminars and political education forums have been offered to members of the Barristers’ Association to facilitate professional development and political awareness.

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OUR MISSION

Today, The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. continues to provide a very important and unique role for its members by providing a forum for discussion and dissemination of information of matters of particular interest to Black attorneys and the Philadelphia Black community at large.

Our membership now encompasses a network of approximately 1,000 lawyers and jurists who serve society at the highest positions in both the private and public sectors of the legal profession.

The Barristers’ Association is an active participant in a community of practicing Black lawyers, judges and law students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Barristers’ Association’s structure consists of an Executive Committee and an Advisory Board. The Executive Committee is responsible for the operation of the organization and is composed of elected officers and appointed members. The Advisory Board, which is made up of distinguished members of the legal profession, provides advice and counsel to the Executive Committee.

ciation of Philadelphia, Inc. & Scholarship Gala

PROGRAM

WELCOME REMARKS & INTRODUCTION OF MASTERS OF CEREMONIES

AdaraL.Combs,Esq.,ImmediatePastPresident

INVOCATION

TheHonorableJoannaMcClinton

MASTERS OF CEREMONIES

JahleeHatchett,Esq.,President

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

RichardHarris,Esq.,PartneratHolland&Knight

SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS

PresentedbyScholarshipCommitteeCo-Chairs, SimeonS.Poles&AngellaMiddleton

DINNER

SeaBasswithroastedredpeppercoulis

Filetwithwildmushroom&redwinereduction

VegetarianWellington

YukonGoldMashedPotatoes GarlicBroccolini

AWARDS CEREMONY

Shaka M. Johnson, Esq. LawOfficesofShakaJohnson,LLC Cecil B. Moore Award

Hon. C. Darnell Jones, II

RetiredSeniorUnitedStatesDistrictJudgeoftheUnitedStatesDistrictCourt fortheEasternDistrictofPennsylvania

A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Award

Charles M. Gibbs, Esq. LawOfficesofMcMonagle,Perri,McHugh,MischakandDavis J. Austin Norris Award

Hon. Petrese B. Tucker

RetiredSeniorUnitedStatesDistrictJudgeoftheUnitedStatesDistrictCourt fortheEasternDistrictofPennsylvania

JoAnne A. Epps Award

PRESENTATION OF PRESIDENTS AWARD

JahleeHatchett,Esq.

CLOSING REMARKS BY CO-CHAIRS

NikiaClark,Esq&ShahirahBrown,Esq

& Scholarship Gala

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Richard Harris, Esq. Partner at Holland & Knight

Richard Harris attended University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D. after obtaining his B.A at the University of Maryland, B.A.

Richard Harris is the Leading Employment Partner in Holland & Knight's Philadelphia office. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Harris was a shareholder for a global law firm in its Philadelphia office. He also worked as partner for a leading labor and employment law firm based in South Carolina. Mr. Harris has built his reputation as a lawyer who does his utmost to secure optimum outcomes for his clients. A natural consensus builder of rare diplomacy and tenacity, he is a gifted advocate whose keen legal mind and narrative mastery make him a formidable opponent in a courtroom.

Proven Track Record. Originally trained as a trial attorney, Mr Harris has evolved into a crisis management professional with a highly tuned degree of insight into the executive decision-making process and associated potential conflicts. As he puts it, “I'm a trial lawyer and storyteller by training, who grew into a crisis manager to help my clients see opportunities in the midst of a storm." Clients seek out Mr. Harris for his record of accomplishments and effectiveness in a crisis, and they return to him as a trusted and determined confidant who will always sustain their best interests.

First-Chair Trial Experience. Mr. Harris represents Fortune 500 companies in multistate litigation, has served as a first-chair trial lawyer for more than 50 jury trials in state and federal court, and is recognized as a leading authority on trial advocacy. He is known for developing well-tested trial strategies that are grounded in his primary commitment to maximize value for his clients by considering and evaluating all possible outcomes with imagination, tact and discretion.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jahlee Hatchett President

Kristin Johnson PresidentElect

Salena Jones VicePresidentofAdministration

Courtney Richardson VicePresidentofFinance

Anwar Abdur-Rahman Treasurer

Shahirah Brown CorrespondingSecretary

Nikia Clark RecordingSecretary

ndy er,PC

way Outdoor Galloway* Administration

Gibbs*

MonaglePerri

kandDavis

ELECTEDMEMBERS

AdesolaAdegbesan

NajahJacobs

APPOINTEDMEMBERS

SamanthaWilliams

StephenBryson

HermionneCadet

IMMEDIATEPASTPRESIDENT

AdaraL.Combs

ADVISORY BOARD

Rhonda Hill Wilson

TheLawOfficeofRhondaHillWilson

Damien S. Jackson

ReillyMcDevittHenrich

Carlton L. Johnson ArcherLaw

Kevin Mincey*

MinceyFitzpatrickRoss,LLC

Riley H. Ross III

MinceyFitzpatrickRoss,LLC

The Honorable Karen Y. Simmons FirstJudicialDistrict,Philadelphia MunicipalCourt

Deborah Watson-Stokes

PhiladelphiaDistrict Attorney'sOffice

Nadege Tandoh

WomenAgainstAbuse,Inc.

V. Amanda Witts MitchellSandler

* Past Presidents

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FRONT ROW ( Jahlee Hatchett, Esq., Kristin Johnson, Esq., Adara L. Combs, Esq.)

BACK ROW (Anwar Abdur-Rahman, Esq., Nikia Clark, Esq., Shahirah Brown, Esq., Samantha Williams, Esq., Courtney Richardson, Esq., Hermionne Cadet, Esq., Adesola Adegbesan, Esq., Salena Jones, Esq., Najah Jacobs, Esq., Stephen Bryson, Esq.)

A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Award Recipient The Honorable C. Darnell Jones, II

C. Darnell Jones, II was sworn in as a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania after nomination by President George W. Bush. He previously served as President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming a judge, he practiced law at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, where among other responsibilities, he served as chief of the Family Court Division. Judge Jones obtained his B.A. in French from Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas and his J.D. degree from American University, Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C.

He has previously served as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University’s Graduate School, The National Judicial College, Temple University Beasley School of Law and The University of Pennsylvania Law School. At the request of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, he oversaw the development of, and taught a curriculum for trial judges presiding over capital cases within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was a contributing author of Presiding Over a Capital Case, A Benchbook for Judges (William J Brunson, Esq., et al. eds., 2009).

Judge Jones was named one of the 500 leading judges in America by Law Dragon Magazine in 2005. He previously served as a Business Court Representative to the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section, and served as a liaison to the Judicial Division of the ABA.

Judge Jones is a member of the University of Pennsylvania American Inn of Court. He served on the Advisory Boards of New Directions for Women; the Salvation Army, and the Thomas R. Kline Law School of Drexel University, the George Mason School of Law - Law & Economics Center Judicial Education Program, and previously served as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of Federal Trial Judges. He was a member of the Model Civil Jury Instructions Committee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In 2012, Judge Jones was appointed to the Committee on Criminal Law of the Judicial Conference of the United States by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.

As of November 21, 2022, Judge Jones retired after serving 35 years on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and United States of America trial courts.

Cecil B. Moore Award Recipient

Shaka M. Johnson, Esq.

Mr. Johnson is a criminal defense attorney who has experienced every aspect of the system and brings this knowledge to bear with every case and matter he handles. To begin with his educational background, he received his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Camden School of Law and his Master of Science in Forensic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Before turning his focus to criminal defense work, Mr. Johnson served over ten years as a law enforcement officer, seven years as a uniformed police officer, and four years as a narcotics detective specializing in surveillance and undercover operations. As a result of his extensive education and training, Mr. Johnson would become an experienced Death Investigator, Certified Crime Scene Investigator, and Narcotics Expert.

Ready to hang up his uniform for a change in pace, Mr. Johnson put his background to a different use and became the founder of one of Philadelphia’s premier criminal defense firms, The Law Office of Shaka Johnson, LLC. This practice serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey in state and federal cases. Aside from this, Mr. Johnson also taught criminal justice at Cheney University and continues to bring his vast wealth of knowledge to the students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Moreover, Mr. Johnson uses his skills by taking steps to empower his community through his philanthropic efforts. He has received several awards and recognitions thus far; examples of his work include his pro bono expungement projects, his participation in local “Stop the Violence” rallies and speaking at a laundry list of social justice forums. In 2021, following the tragic death of Walter Wallace Jr , Mr Johnson, along with his partner firm Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Law, settled with the City of Philadelphia for the purchase of tasers for all uniformed officers. This agreement requires all uniformed police officers to wear tasers on their duty belt, and all officers must be trained (not just those who are certified) in the use of tasers. Mr. Johnson hopes that this new policy change will help when police encounter individuals like Walter Wallace, Jr., who are in the midst of a mental health crisis, these police have the ability to use something other than a firearm to make an arrest and keep both the public and the individual safe. Johnson also enjoys serving as a legal pundit, appearing numerous times on Power99 FM Philly, Fox 29 News Philadelphia, and WDAS 103 5 FM with Frankie Darcell

Charles M. Gibbs, Esq.

LawOfficesofMcMonagle,Perri, McHugh,MischakandDavis

J. Austin Norris Award

J. Austin Norris Award Recipient

Charles M. Gibbs, Esq.

Charles Gibbs focuses his practice on criminal defense, family law, and election and municipal law matters. A prominent trial attorney with a devotion to public service, Charles has served as the President of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, the largest association of African American attorneys in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Charles is the CoChair of the City Policy Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Mr. Gibbs is well known for his zealous and aggressive representation of individuals facing misdemeanor and felony charges at the state and federal levels. Charles also represents individuals in child custody, support and divorce litigation. Governmental entities, political campaigns, elected officials and nonprofit organizations are also among his clients. He currently serves as solicitor for Darby Borough, in Delaware County.

Before practicing law, Mr. Gibbs, a West Philadelphia native, worked on and managed political campaigns and served in local government.

The Philadelphia Board of Judge elected Charles to a lifetime appointment on the Board of Directors of City Trusts in 2021. Charles serves proudly on the Sundry Trust and Girard College Committees.

Mr. Gibbs is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey state bars. He is admitted to practice before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Additionally, Charles is a Member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

After graduating from Temple University, Mr. Gibbs earned a J.D., cum laude, from Widener University School of Law, where he served as Vice President of the Moot Court Honor Society and President of the Black Law Students Association.

Among Mr. Gibbs’ honors are being one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and being included in LEADERSHIP Philadelphia’s Keepers Program. The Legal Intelligencer recognized him among Lawyers on the Fast Track, and he has been on the Rising Stars list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2012. In 2023, Charles was named a Super Lawyer by . Charles was inducted into the West Catholic High School Hall of med him an Outstanding Young Lawyer in 2014.

JoAnne A. Epps Award Recipient The Honorable Petrese B. Tucker

Retired Judge Petrese B. Tucker has blazed many trails in her thirty-five years on the federal and state benches. In 2000, President Bill Clinton nominated Judge Tucker to join the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania bench where, upon her confirmation by the U.S. Senate, she served as the first Black woman judge and first woman chief judge of that court.

Before joining the federal bench, Judge Tucker served her home community for thirteen years as a state court judge for Pennsylvania’s First Judicial District in Philadelphia. During her tenure as a state court judge, Judge Tucker served in the Family Court Division, and the Criminal and Civil sections of the Trial Division. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court also appointed her to serve as the Administrative Judge of the Orphans’ Court Division. Her community service extended beyond her time on the bench. Before joining the judiciary, Judge Tucker served as the Assistant Chief of the Rape Unit and Assistant Chief of the Child Abuse Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. She also previously worked as a Senior Trial Attorney for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and taught university and law students as an adjunct professor for the Great Lakes College Association and Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.

Beyond her legal service, Judge Tucker has served as the president of Big Sisters of Philadelphia and a member of the Forum of Executive Women. She has also served in various capacities, including as a board member, committee member, and/or chair of many civic organizations including: the Philadelphia Chapter of The Links, Inc., the Barristers Association of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Philadelphia Bar Association, and the National Bar Association.

In recognition of her work for the public and the legal profession, Judge Tucker has had the honor and privilege of receiving various awards and distinctions, but has particularly reveled in the honor and privilege that has come with her time as wife to her husband the Hon. Leon Tucker (ret.), as mother to daughters Leah and Lindsay, and as grandmother to two grandsons.

Judge Tucker’s pride has been and continues to be her law clerks who continue to make her eavors.

ciation of Philadelphia, Inc. &

Scholarship Gala

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Ololade Bello

Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline

School of Law (2L)

2023 Amber Racine Memorial Scholarship

Nia Coleman

Temple Beasley School of Law (3L)

Sponsored By Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young Law Firm

Jazmine King

Widener University Delaware Law School (2L)

Sponsored by Troutman Pepper

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of

Philadelphia,

Inc. & Scholarship Gala

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Shelleah Jackson

Rutgers Law School (2L)

William Penn Trust Foundation Scholarship

Jalyn Johnson

Villanova University Charles Widger

Law School (1L)

William Penn Trust Foundation Scholarship

Chayla Sherrod

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (3L)

William Penn Trust Foundation Scholarship

Kandace Smith

Rutgers Law School (2L)

William Penn Trust Foundation Scholarship

& Scholarship Gala

AMBER RACINE FELLOWS

Our top scholarship prize this year is awarded in memory of the late Amber Racine, former partner with Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer, former Barristers’ president, advisory board member, chair of the Barristers’ annual Turkey Drive, mentor, friend, and supporter to many. Amber tragically departed this life and our Barristers’ family on November 11, 2020. Following Amber’s passing, scores of Barristers’ members and supporters donated towards a scholarship in honor of Amber’s legacy.

For the third year in a row, donations in Amber's memory have allowed us to award a $3,000 scholarship in her name. This year, the scholarship committee voted to award the Amber Racine Fellow Scholarship Award to Ololade Bello, a second year student at Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law.

Ololade Bello is a 2L at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. He is the outgoing vice president of Drexel’s Black Law Students Association. As a Dive-In (or DE&I) representative for Drexel Law, Ololade has collaborated with faculty, staff and students to implement diversity initiatives and resolve diversity-related issues on campus. Through DiveIn, Ololade helped bring to the law school’s attention a racially insensitive exam question involving the death of Trayvon Martin which led to faculty-wide policy and procedural changes that remain in place today. He has worked with the Senior Law Helpline which connects citizens over 60 years old in Pennsylvania to free legal services. Ololade is also a fellow with the Drexel Law School Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and a member of the Center for Inclusive Education and Scholarship Diversity Board.