List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Michigan explained

This is a list of the first minority male lawyer(s) and judge(s) in Michigan. It includes the year in which the men were admitted to practice law (in parentheses). Also included are men who achieved other distinctions such becoming the first in their state to graduate from law school or become a political figure.

Firsts in state history

Law degree

• First African American male law graduate: Gabriel F. Hargo in 1870^[1]

Lawyers

• First African American: John C. McLeod (1870)^{[2] [3]}
• First African American lawyer to appear before the Michigan Supreme Court: David "D." Augustus Straker during the 1880s^{[4] [5]}
• First Asian American male (Japanese descent): Arthur K. Ozawa (1910)^{[6] [7] [8]}
• First Arab American and Muslim-American male: Michael Berry (1950)^{[9] [10]}

State judges

• First Jewish American male: Charles C. Simons in 1923^[11]
• First Jewish American male (Third Judicial Circuit): Harry B. Keidan in 1927^[12]
• First Jewish American male (Michigan Supreme Court): Henry M. Butzel in 1929^[13]
• First Greek American male: Emmanuel N, Karay in 1946^[14]
• First African American male: Charles W. Jones in 1950^{[15] [16] [17]}
• First African-American male (Michigan Supreme Court): Otis M. Smith (1950) in 1961^[18]
• First Latino American male: George La Plata (1956) in 1973^[19]
• First Armenian-American male: Arpo Yemen in 1975^[20]
• First Muslim American male: Adam Shakoor in 1981^[21]
• First African American male (Chief Justice; Michigan Supreme Court): Conrad Mallett, Jr. (1979) around 1994^{[22] [23]}
• First openly gay male: Rudolph "Rudy" Serra in 2004^[24]
• First blind male (Michigan Supreme Court): Richard H. Bernstein (1999) in 2014^{[25] [26]}

Federal judge

• First Jewish American male: Charles C. Simons in 1932^[27]
• First African American male (bankruptcy referee): Harry G. Hackett in 1954^{[28] [29]}
• First Arab American male (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan): George Caram Steeh III in 1998^[30]

Assistant Attorney General

• First African American male: Harold E. Bledsoe^[31]

United States Attorney

• First African American male: Saul A. Green^[32]
• First African American male (Western District of Michigan): Patrick Miles Jr. in 2012^{[33] [34]}

Bar Association

• First Jewish American male president: William H. Ellmann in 1967^{[35] [36]}
• First African American male president: Dennis Archer (1970) from 1984-1985^[37]

Faculty

• First African-American male (University of Michigan Law School professor): Harry T. Edwards (1965) in 1970^[38]

Firsts in local history

• George Mendez:^[39] First Mexican American male lawyer in southeastern Michigan
• Bill Baillargeon:^[40] First openly gay male judge in Allegan County, Michigan (2010)
• Oscar W. Baker:^{[41] [42]} First African-American male lawyer in Bay City, Michigan [<nowiki/>[[Bay County, Michigan|Bay County]], Michigan]
• James Golden (1928):^[43] First African American male lawyer in Battle Creek, Michigan [<nowiki/>[[Calhoun County, Michigan]]]
• Shelton Penn:^[44] First African American male judge in Calhoun County, Michigan (1975)
• Ollie B. Bivins Jr.:^[45] First African American male to serve as a Judge of the Flint Municipal Court (1969) and Genesee County Circuit Court, Michigan (1972)
• Elisha Scott:^[46] First African American male to serve as an administrative judge in Flint, Michigan [Genesee County, Michigan]
• Claude W. Haywood: First African American male admitted to the Genesee County Bar Association, Michigan
• William Price III: First African American male to serve as President of the Genesee County Bar Association, Michigan (1970-1971)
• Stuart Dunnings Jr. (1950):^{[47] [48]} First African-American male lawyer in Lansing, Michigan [<nowiki/>[[Ingham County, Michigan|Ingham]], Clinton, and Eaton Counties, Michigan]
• Stuart Black:^[49] First African American judge in Isabella County, Michigan (2018)
• Charles A. Pratt:^{[50] [51]} First African American male judge in Kalamazoo County, Michigan (1968)
• Leroy Densmore Jr.:^[52] First African American male to serve as the Assistant District Attorney in Kalamazoo County, Michigan (c. 1973)
• Olivier M. Green:^[53] First African American male elected as a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association (1925) [<nowiki/>[[Kent County, Michigan]]]
• John T. Letts: First African American male elected as a judge in Kent County, Michigan (1959)
• Oliver Green:^[54] First African-American male lawyer in Pontiac, Michigan (1926) [<nowiki/>[[Oakland County, Michigan]]]
• Michael Martinez:^{[55] [56]} First Hispanic American male judge in Oakland County, Michigan (2004)
• Jake Cunningham:^[57] First openly LGBT male judge in Oakland County, Michigan (2019)
• Terry L. Clark:^[58] First African American male judge in Saginaw County, Michigan
• Harry B. Keidan: First Jewish American male appointed as a Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit in Michigan (1927) [<nowiki/>[[Wayne County, Michigan]]]
• Damon J. Keith

^[59] First African American male lawyer for the Wayne County Friend of the Court (1959)

• Wade McCree Jr.:^[60] First African American male appointed as a Judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court in Michigan
• Isidore Torres:^[61] First Latino American male judge in Wayne County, Michigan (1983)
• James Rashid:^[62] First Arab American male to serve as a Judge on the Third Circuit Court (1986)
• Sam Salamey:^[63] First Arab American male to serve as a Judge of the 19th District Court (2023) [<nowiki/>[[Dearborn, Michigan|Dearborn]], Wayne County, Michigan]
• Frank H. Wu

^[64] First Asian American male to serve as the Dean of Wayne State University Law School (2004)

• Elvin L. Davenport:^[65] First African American male elected as a Judge of the Common Pleas Court for the City of Detroit (1956) and later the Recorder’s Court for the City of Detroit (1957) [Wayne County, Michigan]
• M. John Shamo: First Arab American male elected as a Criminal Judge of the Detroit Recorder's Court (1981) [<nowiki/>[[Wayne County, Michigan]]]

See also

• List of first minority male lawyers and judges in the United States

Other topics of interest

• List of first women lawyers and judges in the United States
• List of first women lawyers and judges in Michigan

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gabriel Hargo, LLB'1870 . 2024-02-07 . Alumni Association of the University of Michigan . en-US.
2. Book: Smith, J. Clay Jr.. Emancipation: The Making of the Black Lawyer, 1844-1944. 1999-01-01. University of Pennsylvania Press. 0812216857. en.
3. Web site: Michigan Black Lawyers' "Firsts". Littlejohn. Edward J.. May 2015. Michigan Bar Journal.
4. Web site: In 1890 David Augustus Straker fought for everyone to be served in public. Thomas. Lee. 2020-02-03. FOX 2 Detroit. en-US. 2020-03-13.
5. Web site: Why the Supreme Court Lied in Plessy. Bogen. David S.. 2007. Villanova Law Review.
6. Book: Tamura, Eileen. Americanization, Acculturation, and Ethnic Identity: The Nisei Generation in Hawaii. registration. 241. first japanese american lawyer arthur ozawa.. 1994-01-01. University of Illinois Press. 9780252063589.
7. Book: Gall, Susan B.. The Asian-American Almanac: A Reference Work on Asians in the United States. 1995. Gale Research. 978-0-8103-9193-2. en.
8. Book: Wilkinson, Sook. Asian Americans in Michigan: Voices from the Midwest. 2015-04-01. Wayne State University Press. 978-0-8143-3974-9. en.
9. News: Michigan's first Muslim lawyer, Michael Berry of Dearborn, dies at 95. MLive.com. 2016-10-09.
10. Web site: Arab-American pioneer Michael Berry dies Times-Herald and Sunday Times Newspapers. downriversundaytimes.com. en-US. 2018-01-31.
11. Web site: Simons, The Historical Society . 2024-05-16 . The Historical Society . en-US.
12. Web site: Portrait unveiled of Third Circuit Court judge > Detroit Legal News . 2019-03-08 . legalnews.com.
13. Book: B'nai B'rith Magazine . 1928 . Independent Order of B'nai B'rith . en.
14. News: Finkelstein . Jim . 1991-11-26 . Wayne County judge's post inspired Greek Americans . 10 . Detroit Free Press . 2023-12-18.
15. Book: The Detroit Almanac: 300 Years of Life in the Motor City. Gavrilovich. Peter. McGraw. Bill. 2006. Detroit Free Press. 9780937247488.
16. Book: National Bar Association Magazine. 1989. The Association. en.
17. Book: Black Lawyers, Law Practice, and Bar Associations--1844 to 1970: A Michigan History. Littlejohn. Edward J.. Hobson. Donald L.. 1987. Wolverine Bar Association. en.
18. News: Levin . Doron P. . 1994-06-30 . Otis Smith, 72, G.M. Executive And Ex-Justice . en-US . The New York Times . 2018-01-29 . 0362-4331.
19. Book: Annual Report. 1973. Civil Rights Commission. en.
20. News: August 29, 1976 . Judge Yemen Wins Impressive Primary Victory, Looks Ahead to November . The Armenian Weekly.
21. Web site: Hightower . Brendel . Adam Shakoor, first Muslim judge and attorney who represented Rosa Parks, dies . 2022-04-26 . Detroit Free Press . en-US.
22. Web site: Conrad Mallett, Jr. . 2019-07-22 . www.micourthistory.org.
23. Web site: Hon. Conrad Mallett, Jr. portrait presented > Ingham County Legal News . 2019-07-22 . www.legalnews.com.
24. Web site: SADO - Article - Rudolph "Rudy" Serra. 2022-02-16. www.sado.org.
25. Web site: Justice Richard Bernstein. courts.mi.gov. en-us. 2018-01-16.
26. News: Blind Judge Makes History, Joins Michigan's Supreme Court. 2014-12-28. Huffington Post. 2018-01-16. en-US.
27. Book: Chardavoyne, David Gardner . United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan: People, Law, and Politics . 2012-03-15 . Wayne State University Press . 978-0-8143-3720-2 . en.
28. Web site: Retired Bankruptcy Judge . 2022-07-19 . AP NEWS . en.
29. News: Ap . 1987-04-01 . HARRY G. HACKETT . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-07-19 . 0362-4331.
30. Web site: Gardey . Rosemary Wummel . April 2001 . Judicial Profile: Hon. George Caram Steeh III, U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Michigan . Federal Bar Association.
31. Web site: Harold Bledsoe dies in Detroit. April 13, 1974. The Pittsburgh Courier. en. 2020-03-10.
32. Web site: ATTRIBUTING SUCCESS TO RACE POLICY. Writer. ROBERT A. FRAHM; Courant Staff. courant.com. 30 March 2003 . en-US. 2019-01-06.
33. Web site: Ex-US attorney Miles running for Michigan attorney general. Eggert. David. 2017-09-28. AP NEWS. 2019-01-06.
34. Web site: Ex-US attorney Miles running for Michigan attorney general. TheOaklandPress.com. en. 2019-01-06.
35. Web site: In Memorium - William H. Ellmann. March 2002. ALRA Advisor.
36. Web site: January 25, 2002 - Image 97 . 2024-05-17 . The Detroit Jewish News Digital Archives . en.
37. Book: Upward Moves on the Legal Front. October 1985. Johnson Publishing Company. en.
38. Web site: Hon. Harry T. Edwards UCI Law. WeedyGarden.net. Erik Runyon . www.law.uci.edu. 2018-01-18.
39. Book: Alvarado, Rudolph V. . Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Michigan . Alvarado . Sonya Yvette . 2003-08-31 . MSU Press . 978-0-87013-885-0 . en.
40. Web site: Hunt . Sarah Bricker . 2022-08-09 . For the First Time Ever, This Tiny Town in Michigan Will Have a Pride Festival . 2023-04-12 . Pride Source . en-US.
41. Web site: Heritage: Oscar W. Baker. Bay Journal. Kusmierz. Marvin. 2018-02-13.
42. Book: First Negro Heads State Trial Lawyers Group. 1968-07-18. Johnson Publishing Company. en.
43. Web site: Remembering Battle Creek's black trailblazers. Battle Creek Enquirer. en. 2019-03-06.
44. News: . Christenson . Trace . Foundation honors county's first black judge . Battle Creek Enquirer . 20 February 2010 . A.8 .
45. Web site: Ollie B. Bivins Jr.: Georgia native ruled with passion in two Genesee County courts. Mullen. Roneisha D.. MLive.com. 31 January 2008 . en-US. 2019-01-15.
46. Web site: History. www.gcbalaw.org. 2019-01-06.
47. News: Stuart Dunnings III loses law license . en . Lansing State Journal . 2018-02-13.
48. Web site: Stuart J. Dunnings Jr.'s Obituary . 2018-02-13 . Lansing State Journal.
49. Web site: Black elected Isabella County probate judge. Norton. Mindy. TheMorningSun.com. 7 November 2018 . en. 2018-12-08.
50. Web site: James Liggins moves to Warner, will remain in Kalamazoo as it hosts national mock trial tourney > Grand Rapids Legal News. legalnews.com. 2020-03-12.
51. Web site: The Judge Charles A. Pratt Bar Association Bar Association Lawyer. Scribd. en. 2020-03-12.
52. Web site: Leroy Densmore Jr. : December 15, 2016 Kalamazoo, MI. www.lifestorynet.com. en. 2020-03-11.
53. Book: Jelks, Randal Maurice. African Americans in the Furniture City: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Grand Rapids. 2006. University of Illinois Press. 9780252073472. en.
54. Web site: Other facts, Pontiac Black History 1820 1969click here for Pontiac Black History 1969 to Today 1820 Federal Census of Oakland County listed family of Mr. www.pontiac.mi.us. 2018-02-13.
55. Web site: Hispanic attorney appointed to bench. The Oakland Press. en. 2019-01-16.
56. Book: Latino election handbook. 1998. NALEO Educational Fund. en.
57. Web site: Howard. Drew. 2019-02-06. Oakland County Swears in its First Openly-Gay Circuit Court Judge. 2022-02-20. Pride Source. en-US.
58. Web site: Community servants, high school seniors honored at Great Lakes Bay Regional MLK Celebration. 2014-01-17. mlive. en. 2020-03-16.
59. Web site: Legal Legend: Judge Damon J. Keith > Detroit Legal News. legalnews.com. 2020-03-04.
60. Web site: McCree Blazed Legal Trail. October 17, 1990. Detroit Free Press. en. 2019-03-28.
61. Web site: Former Circuit Court Judge Isidore Torres dies at 73 > Detroit Legal News. 2021-08-11. legalnews.com.
62. Web site: Recognizing diversity and inclusion at Third Circuit Court: Arab American Heritage Month > Detroit Legal News . 2023-12-19 . legalnews.com.
63. Web site: Interview with Judge Sam Salamey First Arab American and Muslim Chief Judge of the 19th District Court Mirror News . 2023-12-19 . mirrornews.hfcc.edu.
64. Web site: Frank H. Wu . 2022-03-16 . UC Hastings Law San Francisco . en-US.
65. Web site: Elvin Davenport Papers . Walter P. Reuther Library.