The Washington Bar Association (WBA) is a voluntary bar association located in the

Washington, District of Columbia ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morga ...

area, whose members are predominantly African-American attorneys. The Washington Bar Association was founded in 1925 by a group of prominent African-American attorneys, including

Charles Hamilton Houston Charles Hamilton Houston (September 3, 1895 – April 22, 1950) was a prominent African-American lawyer, Dean of Howard University Law School, and NAACP first special counsel, or Litigation Director. A graduate of Amherst College and Harvard La ...

George E.C. Hayes George Edward Chalmers Hayes (July 1, 1894 – December 20, 1968) was a Washington, D.C., lawyer who defended Annie Lee Moss on March 11, 1954. He was the lead attorney in '' Bolling v. Sharpe'' (1954). In 1955 he became the first African A ...

, and J. Franklin Wilson. The WBA was created simultaneously with the

National Bar Association The National Bar Association (NBA) was founded in 1925 and is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. It represents the interests of approximately 65,000 lawyers, judges, law profess ...

, and is an affiliate chapter of the NBA.History and Mission
. Washington Bar Association. Retrieved 2011-09-04. The WBA works to advance Houstonian jurisprudence, defined as "Social change through application of laws governing equal rights, due process, and other legal principles." The organization serves to protect and advance the interests of its members and of all African-Americans as they navigate a social and judicial system in which disparate treatment of minorities continues to occur. In 1975, the WBA established the tradition of awarding the Houston Medallion of Merit to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to

's ideals and jurisprudence. This award is presented at the WBA's annual Law Day Gala. The Charles Hamilton Houston Medallion of Merit
. Washington Bar Association. Retrieved 2011-09-04.

References

External links

Washington Bar Association
1925 establishments in Washington, D.C. African-American professional organizations American bar associations Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Organizations established in 1925 {{US-law-stub