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Famous Black Lawyers
Learn more about black history's most esteemed legal professionals, from African-American pioneers such as George Washington Williams and Constance Baker Motley, to legendary Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas and Thurgood Marshall, to high-profile Harvard grads Barack and Michelle Obama, and many more. Explore our list of famous black lawyers, including full biographies, photo galleries and videos, only on Biography.com.
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Featured Famous Black Lawyers
Browse full biographies—and view videos and photos—of some of the most notable black lawyers in history, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Ron Brown, Marian Wright Edelman, Johnnie Cochran and Charlotte E. Ray.
See all Famous Black Lawyers (23)
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Barack Obama
- In these groups:
- Famous Fathers
- Nobel Peace Prize Winners
- Famous Lefties
Barack Obama
Lawyer, U.S. President, U.S. Representative / 1961 -
Barack Obama is the 44th and current president of the United States, and the first African American to serve as U.S. president. First elected to the presidency in 2008, he won a second term in 2012.
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Marian Wright Edelman
- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Black Lawyers
- Famous Black Activists
Marian Wright Edelman
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer, Writer / 1939 -
Marian Wright Edelman is best known for her legal advocacy on behalf of African-Americans during and after the Civil Rights Movement.
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Michelle Obama
- In these groups:
- Famous Moms
- Influential Women of Washington
- U.S. First Ladies
Michelle Obama
Lawyer, U.S. First Lady / 1964 -
Michelle Obama is a lawyer, Chicago city administrator and community outreach worker, as well as the wife of U.S. President Barack Obama and the 44th first lady.
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Thurgood Marshall
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous Black Lawyers
Thurgood Marshall
Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer, Judge, Supreme Court Justice / 1908 - 1993
Thurgood Marshall was instrumental in ending legal segregation and became the first African-American justice of the Supreme Court.
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Johnnie Cochran
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Black Lawyers
- Famous Lawyers
Johnnie Cochran
Lawyer / 1937 - 2005
Attorney Johnnie Cochran took on highly publicized police brutality cases and famously defended such celebrity clients as Michael Jackson and O. J. Simpson. -
Charlotte E. Ray
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Black Lawyers
- Famous Black Activists
Charlotte E. Ray
Civil Rights Activist, Women's Rights Activist, Lawyer / 1850 - 1911
Charlotte E. Ray was the first female African-American lawyer in the United States.
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Black History Videos
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Black History Photos
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