History

The history of Black men and women working to mold and shape the law in order to improve the quality of their respective lives in this state began in 1869 with Lloyd G. Wheeler’s admission to practice law in Illinois.  His admission began a tradition of dedicated and distinguished service by Black lawyers to the community.  Lawyers serving as advocates, judges, legal educators, elected and appointed representatives participated in every level of government to protect, defend lives, rights, and the well- being of all citizens, but particularly Black citizens.

The seeds of the Cook County Bar Association were planted after 1896, when 32 Black lawyers began to meet informally to plan protests against discrimination in hotels, theaters, and restaurants, and to address judicial elections and school desegregation.  Among the group of Black lawyers was Ida Platt, the first Black woman admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, and the 3rd Black Woman Lawyer in the nation.  This informal collaboration lasted until 1914, when the younger generation of lawyers decided to form the Cook County Bar Association.  Edward H. Wright was elected the first CCBA president.  On March 5, 1920, the CCBA was formally incorporated by the State of Illinois.

In 1925, CCBA members C. Francis Stradford, Wendell E. Green, and Jesse N. Baker were among the founders of the National Bar Association (NBA).  As one of the NBA’s oldest and largest affiliates, the CCBA has hosted the NBA annual meetings on many occasions.  The 71st Annual Meeting in Chicago in 1996 is still recognized as the most successful Annual Meeting in the history of the NBA.

Historically, the CCBA has engaged in a variety of legal programs to advance the legal profession and its members.  One of its most important contributions was the development of an organized system for the fair and impartial evaluations of judicial candidates which led to the joint alliance with other minority bar associations.

The CCBA has been standing up for its lawyers and judges (Illinois Judicial Council) and, most importantly, the Black community, for over 99 years and it will continue to be a dominant force in the Chicago legal community for years to come.