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55 Syracuse L. Rev. 429 (2004-2005)
Honoring William H. Johnson, Class of 1903: The First African American Graduate of Syracuse University College of Law

handle is hein.journals/syrlr55 and id is 439 raw text is: HONORING WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, CLASS OF 1903: THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN GRADUATE OF SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW Paula C. Johnsont CONTENTS IN TRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 429 I. PORTRAIT OF A PIONEER: THE LIFE OF WILLIAM HERBERT JO H N SO N ....................................................................................... 43 1 A . E arly Years ............................................................................. 431 B. Entering the Legal Profession ................................................ 434 C. Comm unity Leadership .......................................................... 442 II. L EG A CY ........................................................................................ 446 C O N CLU SION .............................................................................................. 453 INTRODUCTION William Herbert Johnson was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1875. In 1903, he became the first African American to graduate from Syracuse University College of Law. May 2003 marked the centennial anniversary of William Johnson's graduation from the College of Law. Although Johnson graduated at the top of his class, he never practiced law in Syracuse. Johnson was denied the opportunity to fully utilize his legal abilities due to racism in the local legal community that refused to hire him as an attorney. However, Johnson was unbowed despite the injustice and t Bond, Schoeneck and King Distinguished Professor of Law, Syracuse University College of Law. B.A., University of Maryland, College Park; J.D., Temple University School of Law; LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center. Faculty Advisor, Syracuse University Black Law Students Association. For assistance in completing this Article, I thank my research assistants Tiffanie Spivey, Radia Turay, and Elizabeth Dawson. I also thank members of William Johnson's family, who generously shared memories of their grandfather and family history with me. I thank the Syracuse Law Review, particularly Kristen E. Smith, Editor-in-Chief, for their interest in publishing the story of William H. Johnson, and for their editorial assistance. Lastly, I thank Syracuse University College of Law for providing a summer research grant to complete this work.

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