I would like to be remembered as an Atlanta Bar President who stood for advancing our mission of the pursuit of the fair administration of justice , wherever that led us .
Black man and professional , the reality of my experience is that although I have achieved partnership at a preeminent global law firm , when I am not wearing a suit I am subject to the same implicit biases as those from very different stations in life . This also applies to my son , my brother , a brilliant actor and lawyer , my father , uncles , some of my closest friends ( from my undergraduate days at Emory ‒ many of whom are successful physicians , surgeons , lawyers , educators ) and others , all of whom share similar experiences .
I feel strongly that we must insist on the fair and just application of the Rule of Law and remain tough on crime , wherever we find it — whether committed by violent criminals , child predators , executives , and also in the rare instances in which the criminal is wearing a law enforcement badge . We must insist on accountability , transparency and restoring trust where it has been lost , and building it where it never existed .
Although there is seldom unanimous agreement as to how to address tough or controversial issues , I am proud of our bar association for being open to and choosing to embrace the EJLE Initiative , despite it not being a safe subject .
As constitutional rights , social justice , and civil liberties under our nation of laws transcend race and demographics , I would like to be remembered as an Atlanta Bar President who stood for advancing our mission of the pursuit of the fair administration of justice , wherever that led us . This bar year it led us to the crisis afflicting our nation and which has played out nationally in the media a great deal — The use of excessive or deadly force by some law enforcement officers against unarmed non-violent citizens . We are the greatest nation on earth and what more noble cause can there be than protecting the rights of all citizens . I have always been a strong supporter of our law enforcement community ( as many of my closest relatives have extensive military and law enforcement backgrounds ) and deeply appreciative of the tremendous courage and sacrifice they show each day in risking life and limb keeping us all safe from those engaged in lawlessness and crime . As lawyers , we must remain vigilant to ensure that non-violent citizens of every race have confidence in law enforcement and that their constitutional rights will be protected .
I would like to be remembered as an Atlanta Bar President who stood for advancing our mission of the pursuit of the fair administration of justice , wherever that led us .
Our EJLE efforts have been comprehensive and have included :
• Our EJLE Symposium in January with national leaders from across the country for panel discussions from law enforcement leaders , prosecutors and defense counsel , state and federal judges , community leaders and others ;
• providing a platform for the first presentation of Georgia Appleseed ’ s comprehensive “ Race , Law Enforcement and the Law ” report and recommendations for proposed changes in the law ;
• Atlanta Bar volunteers met with thousands of students across metro Atlanta and talked to them about their constitutional rights and about strategies for avoiding the escalation of conflict in encounters with law enforcement ;
• Convening meetings with leaders from law enforcement , prosecutorial bar , the citizen review board , and community leaders to discuss proposed changes in the law to bring about increased accountability and transparency ; and
• Engaged with state legislators on proposed changes to Georgia law to help restore or build trust between those sworn to protect and serve and those being protected .
In founding our Equal Justice in Law Enforcement ( EJLE ) Initiative , I really wanted and believed we could all come together to search for solutions and to be a resource to both the community and law enforcement . My confidence in the strength of the bonds of our bar association has grown even stronger as I watched us all rise to the challenge and produce a meaningful dialogue which I know will enhance the search for solutions to the problems we face in this area .
Our work continues and I could not be more proud of what we have done together as The Atlanta Bar Association and I am profoundly grateful that the EJLE initiative , which began as a hope and idea last year , is now a permanent committee of the bar which will continue beyond the end of my term .
We took on these new efforts this year not in lieu of , but in addition to our traditional programs for our members and the community . I am confident that in taking on these tough issues this year in addition to expanding our core programming made us even stronger .
6 May 2016