The Black Law Students Association of the University of Chicago Law School would like to invite you to join us for our Second Annual Judge James B. Parsons Legacy Dinner.

            The Judge James B. Parsons Legacy Dinner is a celebration of the integration of the federal judiciary.  Judge Parsons graduated with his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1949, and on August 30, 1961, he became the first African American to serve as a United States federal judge in the continental United States. His appointment to the Northern District of Illinois was also the first time a Black district court judge would receive a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary. After centuries of government-sanctioned oppression, Judge Parsons’s ascension to the federal judiciary represents a tiny but powerful step forward in the fight for equality and justice.

            Starting in February 2018, each year we celebrate his legacy by honoring a distinguished federal jurist of African American descent. Last year as our first recipient of this award, we honored Judge Ann. C. Williams (Ret.) for her remarkable career on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals including becoming its first African American Judge. This year, we hope to continue this legacy and with Judge Donald's impressive reputation as one of the first African American female federal judges to serve in Tennessee and her commitment to public service through her work for the ABA and the ABF among others, we are honored to have her as our 2019 Distinguished Jurist.

            Beginning with a reception, followed by dinner and a keynote address, the event will take place at the Law School (1111 E. 60th St.) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday, February 28th, 2019.