The St. Louis legal community is filled with African Americans who have made tremendous contributions to the legal profession and individuals who have historically been avid supporters of African Americans attorneys. Although the Mound City Bar Association ("MCBA") and other organizations have done an outstanding job of recognizing some of these individuals, there are many pioneers/trailblazers whose contributions have gone unrecognized. To that end, in July 2006 MCBA established the Legal Legends award. The purpose of this award is to pay homage to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the St. Louis legal profession or who have been historical supporters of African-American attorneys. However, said contributions have often been discounted and overlooked.

After diligent consideration, the MCBA Legal Legends Committee awarded the 2006-2007 Legal Legends Award to the following phenomenal individuals: 1) The Honorable Evelyn Baker; 2) The Honorable Michael Calvin; 3) Rita Montgomery-Hollie; 4) Harold Whitfield; and 5) Ira Young.

The Honorable Evelyn M. Baker

The Honorable Evelyn M. Baker is a true St. Louis Legal Pioneer whose contributions have been overlooked. She was the First African American woman to be appointed to the Circuit Court in the State of Missouri. She was appointed on May 5^th, 1983.

During her time on the bench, she has been a strong advocate and preserver of justice. To that end, in the mist of controversy she defied conventional wisdom and ruled to hold the voting poles open so that no voter would be disenfranchised. In addition, she has often leveled the playing field for parties who have appeared before her.

Bio: Educated at St. Louis University, A.B., philosophy; J.D.; Served on the National Relations Board, Region 14, 1973 and 1974; St. Louis City Circuit Attorney's Office, 1974-1977; St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney's Office, 1977 and 1978; U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri, 1978-1983. She is a member of The Missouri Bar, Mound City Bar Association, American Bar Association, Women Lawyers Association, Phi Delta Phi, and St. Louis Cathedral.

The Honorable Michael B. Calvin

The Honorable Michael B. Calvin is an outstanding leader in the African American legal community. He is the first African American to serve as presiding Judge for the City of St. Louis Circuit Court, Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit. Currently, he is the only sitting African American judge who was elected to a judgeship. During his time on the bench, he has earned the respect of lawyers and his fellow Judges as a man of sound reason and good judgment.

Bio: Educated at Monmouth College, Illinois, B.A.; St. Louis University, J.D.; Practicing attorney, 1976-1978; Elected magistrate judge of City of St. Louis, 1978; became associate circuit judge by operation of law, 1979; Appointed circuit judge November 17^th, 1988.

Rita M. Montgomery-Hollie

Rita Montgomery-Hollie is regarded among her peers as one of the premiere African American lawyers specializing in adoption. Throughout her career, she has always been an advocate for social change. Prior to going to law school, she decided to become a social worker because she was concerned about promoting positive change for disenfranchised individuals who were not in the position to advocate for themselves. Thereafter, she pursued a law degree because she believed that a law degree would provide her with a better platform to effectuate change.

Over the course of her career, she has worked in the Missouri Attorney GeneralÕs Office, where she successfully applied consumer protection legislation to the problem of lead-based paint in older rental properties. In 1992, she helped form an adoption agency, Friends of African-American Families and Children Service Center.

In addition, she has taught business law at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and served as a St. Louis municipal judge, all while building her own law practice, where her primary focus is adoptions, guardianships, and child advocacy. Finally, she has served as a guardian ad litem for St. Louis County.

Bio: Educated at Washington University, A.B.; J.D./M.S.W.

Harold L. Whitfield

Harold L. Whitfield is perceived by many as one of the best trial lawyers in the State of Missouri bar none. To that end, he is one of only a few hundred U.S. members of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, as well as a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Whitfield is Of Counsel to the law firm of Donald L. Schlapprizzi, P.C. Mr. Whitfield is a past president of Mound City Bar Association from 1976-1978, and reigns as an outstanding leader and role model for aspiring and practicing trial attorneys.

Bio: Educated at Washington University, B.S.B.A, J.D.; Served as Director of Conciliation for the State of Missouri's Commission on Human Rights from 1966-1970; Administrative Assistant to the Regional Director of the U.S. Civil Service Commission from 1970-1974; Adjunct Professor of Law at Washington University Law School. He is a member of The Missouri Bar, Mound City Bar Association, American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a Lifetime member of the NAACP. He is also very active in his church and has served as secretary of the Judicial Council of the A.M.E. Church.

Ira M. Young

Ira M. Young is a principal with the firm of Young & Thompson in St. Louis City. The firm is engaged in the general practice of law. Mr. Young's practice has included personal injury claims for plaintiffs and defendants, business and banking law, labor-management affairs and bankruptcy.

In 1979, Mr. Young was appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to serve a five year term as a member of the Board of Law Examiners. The Board had the responsibility of preparing, administering and grading the semi-annual State Bar Examination. The Board was also required to determine the qualifications of all applicants seeking admission to The Missouri Bar.

Mr. Young is a past president of the Mound City Bar Association serving from 1970-1972. He is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. He has served as vice-president of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society of Greater St. Louis, and on the Boards of Family and Children's Service of Greater St. Louis, and the Girl Scout Council of St. Louis.

As exemplified by their accomplishments, all of these recipients exemplify the high moral and ethical standards of the legal profession as well as the tenets of MCBA. Moreover, throughout their careers each one has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the legal profession through sustained excellence in the quality of their work, integrity and dedication. Finally, all of them have demonstrated a strong commitment to the issues impacting the African-American community as well as the advancement of civil rights and justice for all.

An award ceremony and reception honoring each recipient will be held after the October, December, January and March General Body meetings.

The awardees will be honored according to the following schedule:

Rescheduled - Judge Evelyn Baker

Wednesday, December 27 2006 - Rita Montgomery-Hollie and Ira Young

Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - Harold Whitfield

Wednesday, March 28th, 2007 - Judge Michael Calvin.

Please join us in congratulating these individuals.