OUR HISTORY
The Houston Lawyers Association (HLA), an affiliate chapter of the National Bar Association, was founded in 1955 to address the needs of Black lawyers and the legal needs of the Black community in general. During this time, African American lawyers in the Houston area were not permitted to join the Houston Bar Association. In response to this reality, one of our founders, Robert W. Hainsworth, W.M.C. Dickson and F.S.A. Whittaker challenged the Houston Bar Association’s rule of non-admission of African American lawyers, which resulted in the formation of the Houston Lawyers Association.
As part of its current program, HLA continues to provide its lawyers with a forum and an opportunity to address various issues that affect the black community. HLA currently conducts continuing legal education seminars, evaluates judicial candidates, and distributes information of interest to its membership to foster the network necessary for professional growth and development. HLA acknowledges the contributions of its founders and expresses sincere appreciation to the lawyers who were pioneers in the beginning states of the Association.
HLA FOUNDERS
PAST PRESIDENTS
PAST PRESIDENTS
Marcus Esther
Tiffany M. Hill
Ramel “R.J.” Blue
Nickolas Spencer
Robin L. Burgess
Modinat “Abby” Kotun
Alfred “Al” Benoit
Elverine “Rena” Felton
Danyahel “Danny” Norris
Jermecia A. Beachem
Deshonda Charles
Antoy Bell
Hon. Harrison Gregg Jr.
Andrew Gavins McGee
Bertran “Bert” Jennings
Hon. Linda Dunson
Hon. Latosha Lewis Payne
J. Goodwille Pierre
Damon Edwards
TX Representative Ronald Reynolds
Troy Wilson
Gita P. Bolt
DeMonica D. Gladney
E. Jean Johnson
Hon. Alfred H. Bennett
Antoinette M. Jackson
Carroll G. Robinson
Charles L. Drayden
T. Deon Warner
Renee Y. Smith
Ray L. Shackelford
U. Lawrence Boze
Benjamin Pigott
Algenita Scott Davis
Prince Cartwright
William Rice
Arthur Jackson
John Wiggins
Donald Dewberry
Elwyn Lee
James Plummer
Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee
Marty Wickliff
Justice Shelvin Hall
Hon. Harrison Gregg Jr.
Earl Bush
Craig Washington
Kenneth S. Tollett
Aloysius Wickliff
Robert Hainsworth
Henry Doyle
Matthew Plummer
Francis Williams
Weldon H. Berry