The Most Famous Black Lawyer, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the black lawyer you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 3, 2024 07:03
In the pursuit of justice, representation and diversity hold paramount importance. The stories of black lawyers, who have shattered glass ceilings and navigated the complex judicial landscape, offer both inspiration and a measure of the progress within the legal field. Recognizing these influential figures not only honors their contributions but also educates the public about the pivotal roles they play in societal transformation.
By ranking these esteemed individuals, we provide a snapshot of excellence and perseverance in the legal sector. This encourages a deeper engagement and understanding among those interested in the intersection of law, civil rights, and historical impact. Your votes help to highlight those whose work continues to influence and reshape our legal systems, making a profound difference in communities worldwide.
Who Is the Most Famous Black Lawyer?
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154votesHe was the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States and was a prominent civil rights lawyer during the mid-20th century.Thurgood Marshall in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous alumnus of Howard University
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person from Maryland
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous attorney
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244votes
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza · Public domainBarack Obama
Barack ObamaAlthough he is known primarily as a politician and former President of the United States, Obama also graduated from Harvard Law School and worked as a civil rights lawyer before entering politics.Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States serving from 2009 to 2017. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved Presidents in recent history. Obama's presidency was marked by his charismatic leadership style, focus on social and economic reforms, and efforts to promote international cooperation.- Presidency Number: 44
- Term: 2009-2017
- Leadership Style: Charismatic
- Domestic Focus: Social and Economic Reforms
- International Focus: Promoting International Cooperation
Barack Obama in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous alumnus from Columbia University
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous African American
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person to have been kissed
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular Mii
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous leader
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Scout
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314votesCochran was a high-profile defense attorney who gained national attention for his role in the OJ Simpson trial. He also represented numerous other high-profile clients throughout his career.Johnnie Cochran in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous attorney
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419votes
James Duncan Davidson · CC BY-SA 3.0Stevenson is a public interest lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, which works to end mass incarceration and racial injustice in the criminal justice system. He is also the author of the best-selling book, "Just Mercy."Bryan Stevenson in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous human rights lawyer
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516votes
Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer · Public domainJordan is a civil rights lawyer and activist who worked with the NAACP and other organizations during the 1960s to advance the cause of racial justice. He went on to have a successful career in business and politics. -
66votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainHouston was a prominent civil rights lawyer who played a key role in dismantling segregation in the United States. He was also a mentor to Thurgood Marshall. -
76votes
Lawrence Jackson · Public domainHarris is the current Vice President of the United States and previously served as Attorney General of California. She is the first woman, first African American woman, and first South Asian American woman to hold the office of Vice President.Kamala Harris in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous alumnus of Howard University
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person in California
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous person from the Bay Area
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous liberal
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85votes
Joyce N. Boghosian, White House photographer · Public domainLike her husband, Michelle Obama is primarily known as a political figure, but she is also a lawyer who worked in public service and private practice before becoming First Lady.Michelle Obama in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous mother
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Capricorn
- Position 6 of 10 in Most beloved public figures
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous ladies
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Capricorn celebrity
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beloved famous person
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911votes
United States Department of Justice · Public domainLynch is a former Attorney General of the United States who worked on civil rights cases as a U.S. Attorney in New York. She was also the first African American woman to serve as Attorney General. -
1010votes
Tim Pierce · CC BY-SA 4.0Ogletree is a legal scholar who has written extensively on civil rights and criminal justice issues. He has also represented high-profile clients, including Anita Hill and Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Missing your favorite black lawyer?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for famous black lawyer
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There is no direct and objective way to rank the "most famous" black lawyers as it is subjective and based on personal opinions. However, some key factors that could be considered are
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Achievements and ContributionsLawyers who have made significant contributions to the legal profession, such as landmark cases, authoring influential legal documents, or advocating for progressive legal reform.
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Public RecognitionLawyers who have gained widespread public recognition, such as those who have received prestigious awards or have appeared in the media for high-profile cases.
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Professional DistinctionLawyers who have achieved notable distinctions in their profession, such as serving as a judge or holding a senior position in a legal organization.
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Community EngagementLawyers who have been actively engaged in community service, particularly in promoting social justice and equality issues.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous black lawyer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or black lawyer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1805 views
- 183 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each black lawyer once every 24 hours. The rank of each black lawyer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous black lawyer
In recent years, the legal profession has become increasingly diverse, with more and more lawyers of color making their mark in the field. Black lawyers, in particular, have played a crucial role in advocating for social justice and equality, both inside and outside the courtroom. From trailblazing civil rights attorneys like Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley to modern-day legal luminaries like Bryan Stevenson and Sherrilyn Ifill, black lawyers have made significant contributions to the law and society at large. In this poll, we aim to determine who among them is the most famous and influential.
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