Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers

Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers In this world of increasing complexity there will rise a new generation of leaders that make creativity the path forward for success enterprises.

WAAL is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to ensuring diversity in the legal profession and advocating for legal and judicial reform and accountability. WAAL also provides community service to people through the People's Law School, Street Law, and various trial competitions.

Membership Spotlight ✨We would like to congratulate Chief Judge Donald on his accomplishments! We are proud to have you ...
05/04/2026

Membership Spotlight ✨

We would like to congratulate Chief Judge Donald on his accomplishments! We are proud to have you as a member of WAAL!

WAAL invites you to join us this May for two timely CLE programs focused on critical issues impacting our communities an...
05/01/2026

WAAL invites you to join us this May for two timely CLE programs focused on critical issues impacting our communities and the legal profession.

Current Immigration Landscape CLE
Presented by Gabriela Parra, Managing Attorney, Layde & Parra S.C.
📅 May 14, 2026 | ⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

Register here: https://waalawyers.memberclicks.net/immigration-cle

Voting Rights CLE
Presented by Professor and Associate Dean Atiba Ellis
📅 May 27, 2026 | ⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

Register here: https://waalawyers.memberclicks.net/voting-rights-cle

Registration Fees:
• $35 – Non-WAAL Members
• $25 – Government/Nonprofit Non-WAAL Members
• Free – WAAL Members

These sessions offer an opportunity to deepen your understanding of evolving legal landscapes while connecting with fellow attorneys and professionals during WAAL’s Membership Month.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Yesterday, our Treasurer Mason Higgins received the Alumni of the Year award from UW’s BLSA Chapter. Congratulations, Ma...
04/17/2026

Yesterday, our Treasurer Mason Higgins received the Alumni of the Year award from UW’s BLSA Chapter. Congratulations, Mason, on this well-deserved recognition!

Thanks to UW BLSA for inviting WAAL members to this lovely event at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. We look forward to supporting and collaborating with you all in the future!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday for WAAL’s Judges & Commissioners Night at Northern Lights Venue. It w...
03/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday for WAAL’s Judges & Commissioners Night at Northern Lights Venue. It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and recognition as we celebrated members of the bench for their leadership, service, and impact on our legal community.

Congratulations again to our award recipients, and a special thank you to Judge Maxine Aldridge White, who was honored with a commemorative award recognizing her dedicated service to the bench and her contributions to WAAL.

Swipe to see some photos from the evening!

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES: Wisconsin’s Legal Trailblazers 4 of 10Today we honor Judge Clarence B. Parrish (1922-2005), ...
02/19/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES: Wisconsin’s Legal Trailblazers 4 of 10

Today we honor Judge Clarence B. Parrish (1922-2005), Milwaukee’s first elected Black judge and a man who brought both legal excellence and spiritual compassion to the bench.

His Legacy:
First African American to win a contested judicial seat in Milwaukee County (1981). First Black to serve on the Milwaukee Bar Association Board and the Wisconsin Supreme Court Board of Bar Examiners. Served as Magistrate and City/County Judicial Court Commissioner before winning his historic judgeship. Both an attorney and ordained minister who brought compassion, fairness, and dignity to every case. Two scholarships in his name are administered through the Milwaukee Foundation and UW Law School, continuing his legacy of opening doors for future generations.

Why This Matters:
Judge Parrish understood something profound: justice without compassion is just procedure. As both a lawyer and a minister, he saw the humanity in every person who stood before him. When he won that contested judicial seat in 1981, he didn’t just break a barrier. He showed Milwaukee what a judge could be when they combined legal rigor with genuine care for the people they served. His service on the Bar Association Board and Board of Bar Examiners meant he didn’t just open the door for himself. He held it open and helped pull others through.

The Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers proudly celebrates pioneers like Judge Clarence B. Parrish who proved that our excellence in the law is matched only by our commitment to justice with mercy, and who understood that breaking barriers means nothing if you don’t help others break through behind you.

From 1981 to 2026, his compassion guides us. This is our history. This is our legacy.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES: Wisconsin’s Legal Trailblazers 3 of 10Today we honor Lloyd A. Barbee (1925-2002), a civil ri...
02/18/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES: Wisconsin’s Legal Trailblazers 3 of 10

Today we honor Lloyd A. Barbee (1925-2002), a civil rights attorney and fearless advocate whose decade-long legal battle desegregated Milwaukee Public Schools and transformed education in Wisconsin.

His Legacy:
Filed the landmark federal lawsuit Amos v. Board of School Directors in 1965 that desegregated Milwaukee Public Schools. Worked largely alone for over a decade against a battery of school board lawyers and won in 1976. Only Black member of Wisconsin State Assembly (1965-1977), where he championed the Fair Housing Act and civil rights legislation. UW Law School graduate (1956) who persevered despite facing racism from peers and professors. By the mid-1980s, 85% of Milwaukee students were in integrated schools, one of the most far-reaching and peaceful school integrations in the country.

Why This Matters:
Lloyd Barbee didn’t just practice law. He wielded it as a weapon for justice. While representing families who were tired of “separate but equal” lies, he stood against an entire system determined to maintain segregation. For more than ten years, often working alone and under-resourced, he refused to back down. His victory didn’t just integrate schools. It proved that one determined lawyer with righteousness on their side could move mountains and change the course of history for thousands of children.

The Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers proudly celebrates pioneers like Lloyd Barbee who fought the long fight, who understood that civil rights work requires both brilliance and endurance, and who showed us that justice delayed is not justice denied when we refuse to give up.

From 1965 to 2026, his fight continues in us. This is our history. This is our legacy.

“If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against the odds.”Today, we honor the life ...
02/17/2026

“If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against the odds.”

Today, we honor the life and enduring legacy of Jesse Jackson — a steadfast champion for civil rights, economic justice, and equal opportunity. His leadership challenged institutions, expanded access, and inspired generations to pursue justice without compromise.

Through his advocacy, organizing, and unwavering faith in the power of collective action, Reverend Jackson reminded us that progress requires both courage and persistence. His work helped open doors in politics, education, and the legal profession, reinforcing the responsibility we carry to continue the fight for equity under the law.

As members of the legal community, we are especially mindful of the path he helped forge — one that calls us to serve, to advocate boldly, and to stand firm in the pursuit of justice for all.

The Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers extends our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his extraordinary life. May we honor his legacy not only in remembrance, but in action.

02/13/2026

Join us for Judges & Commissioners Night 2026, an evening honoring Wisconsin’s Black Judges and Commissioners.

Hosted by the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers, this elegant night brings together members of the bench, bar, and community for recognition, reflection, and connection.

📍 Northern Lights Event Venue | Milwaukee
📅 Thursday, March 5th, 2026 | 6:00–9:00 PM
👔 Business or cocktail attire
🎟 Tickets: Can be purchased using the eventbrite link in bio!

🔔 Reminder: WAAL members can also pay annual dues through Eventbrite.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual WAAL Breakfast as we commemorated Black History Month in community.It...
02/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual WAAL Breakfast as we commemorated Black History Month in community.

It was a meaningful morning of connection, reflection, and celebration — honoring the legacy of Black excellence within the legal profession while continuing to build pathways forward.

We are grateful to our members, law students, colleagues, and allies who showed up, engaged in thoughtful conversation, and strengthened the bonds that make our legal community so impactful. Your presence and partnership matter.🖤⚖️

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES: Wisconsin’s Legal Trailblazers 2 of 10Today we honor Mabel Watson Raimey (c. 1900-1986), Wis...
02/11/2026

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERIES: Wisconsin’s Legal Trailblazers 2 of 10

Today we honor Mabel Watson Raimey (c. 1900-1986), Wisconsin’s first Black woman attorney and a trailblazer who refused to let discrimination define her destiny.

Her Legacy:
First Black woman to graduate from UW-Madison (1918). First Black woman admitted to the Wisconsin Bar (1927). Practiced law in Milwaukee during the 1930s when there were only 3 other Black lawyers in the entire city. Long-time board member of Milwaukee Urban League and co-founder of Milwaukee’s Northside YWCA. Fired from Milwaukee Public Schools teaching position after just 3 days when officials discovered she was Black, leading her to pursue law instead.

Why This Matters:
Mabel Raimey turned rejection into revolution. When racism closed the door on her teaching career, she walked through the doors of UW Law School and made history. In an era when being Black AND a woman meant facing double discrimination, she built a legal practice, served her community, and created space for those who would follow. Her courage in the face of systemic barriers showed that excellence cannot be denied.

The Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers proudly celebrates pioneers like Mabel Watson Raimey who transformed obstacles into opportunities and proved that our presence in the legal profession is not just necessary but unstoppable. The National Association of Black Women Attorneys honored her legacy by naming its Wisconsin Chapter the “Mabel Raimey Chapter” in 1984.
From 1918 to 2026, her legacy lives on. This is our history. This is our legacy.

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310 E Chicago St.
Milwaukee, WI
53202

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