History

Early organizing of Black attorneys in Wisconsin began in 1958 with Theodore “Ted” Coggs. He convened a small group in his home to begin addressing particular concerns and challenges facing Black attorneys in Milwaukee, WI. In 1973, Attorney Lloyd Barbee filed articles of incorporation establishing the Wisconsin Black Lawyers Association (WBLA). The group started brief banks, collaborated with Black law students and were actively engaged in the community. The WBLA officially changed its name in 1988 to the Wisconsin Association of Minority Attorneys (WAMA) with Attorney Larry Farris serving as the organization's first president. In 2001, WAMA became the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers (WAAL) to more accurately reflect the composition of the organization. The purpose of WAAL is to ensure the diversification of the legal community. To this end, WAAL hosts and sponsors continuing legal education seminars, networking events, and provides scholarships to African-American law students attending Marquette University Law School and the University of Wisconsin Law School. For more on the history of Wisconsin's Black Lawyers, click here.

Purpose of WAAL:

The purpose of WAAL is to ensure the diversification of the legal community. To this end, WAAL hosts and sponsors continuing legal education seminars, networking events, and provides scholarships to African-American law students attending Marquette University Law School and the University of Wisconsin Law School.

WAAL is affiliated with the National Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin.