During Black History Month, we pay tribute to African Americans who broke down barriers and contributed to the creation of laws that currently safeguard families. Brilliant Black judges and attorneys paved the way for a fair and equal courtroom, increasing justice in areas such as equal access to the courts, voting rights, child custody, and protection from domestic abuse.
The First Seats at the Table
In the early 1870s, barely a decade after the end of the Civil War, George Lawrence Mabson and James Edward O’Hara earned their law licenses in a state where such an achievement had been unthinkable just years before.
And for O’Hara, his impact extended even further. His legal acumen and advocacy eventually carried him all the way to the halls of Congress, where he fought for the rights of those who had so recently won their freedom.
Judge Elreta Melton Alexander
Judge Elreta Melton Alexander rose to prominence in North Carolina history as the first Black woman to practice law in our state in 1947. She was also elected as the nation’s first Black woman district court judge in 1968.
Judge Melton Alexander was well known for her “theatrical flair” and her strong desire to assist others. She even initiated a “Judgment Deferred” program to assist youth in avoiding permanent criminal records, showing a compassion that continues to motivate judges in family courts today.
Chief Justice Henry Frye
Another monumental figure in North Carolina legal history is Henry E. Frye, the first African American Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Frye grew up in a segregated North Carolina community and was inspired to become a lawyer after experiencing voter suppression firsthand. He became the first Black graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1959, and years later became the first Black justice, and eventually Chief Justice, of the state Supreme Court.
James R. Walker Jr.
The work of James R. Walker Jr influenced legal rights throughout the state. In the early 1950s, Walker was one of the first African American men admitted to UNC Law School. He went on to become well-known as a grassroots civil rights attorney who opposed the use of discriminatory literacy tests to deny Black people the right to vote.
Judge G.K. Butterfield
Before serving in Congress, G.K. Butterfield Jr. built an impressive career as both a civil rights attorney and North Carolina judge, focused on protecting constitutional rights and ensuring equal access to justice. Butterfield was elected as a Resident Superior Court Judge in 1988, serving across dozens of counties and later became an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Leading the Way for Families in Modern Courts
This article features just a small portion of the Black legal pioneers who revolutionized North Carolina’s justice system. The tenacious advocacy of these lawyers and advocates laid the groundwork for our current approach to family law.
Law becomes very personal in family courts. When a marriage ends, a parent worries about losing time with their child, or someone may need safety. Family courts are the places where people go during the most difficult times in their lives. And while the legal system will dish out rules and paperwork, the ultimate goal of law is to serve as a place where people can be heard, protected, and treated equally.
Woodruff Family Law Group can assist anyone dealing with a family law issue. Get the advice you deserve by contacting us today.