Viewing page 267 of 356

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

54TH ANNUAL MEETING

National Bar Association
Bonaventura Hotel
Los Angeles, California
July 27, 1979

JUNIUS W. WILLIAMS IS PRESIDENT-ELECT
OF THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION

Junius W. Williams of Newark, New Jersey ran unopposed to became President-elect of the National Bar Association at its 52nd Annual Meeting held July 31-August 6, 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Williams will be sworn into office during the 53rd Annual Meeting to be help July 30-August 5, 1978 at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Fla.

President-elect Junius W. Williams was born on December 23, 1943, the son of Maurice L. and Bernyce W. Williams in Suffolk, Virginia. He grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Armstrong High School as valedictorian in 1961. Williams received his B.A. Degree from Amherst College in 1965. He then completed his course requirements for an L.L.B. Degree at Yale University Law School in 1968.

Though spending his early years in the educational institutions aforementioned, Williams' major commitment, beginning in 1962, was the civil rights movement. He participated in demonstrations in Richmond, Virginia; Springfield, Massachusetts; New York City; Montgomery, Alabama; Washington, D.C., as well as other places. In 1967, while a student at Yale, Williams founded the Newark Area Planning Association (NAPA), a community planning organization designed to serve as a vehicle for community input vis a vis certain land planning decisions in Newark as a community advocate against the then proposed New Jersey College of Medicine & Dentistry. NAPA advocated a medical school on much smaller acreage than the proposed 200 acre site, citing the dislocation program created for 20,000 Blacks in a steadily deteriorating housing market. The community prevailed through the leadership of NAPA, bringing about the famous 1968 Newark Medical School Agreements which called for, among other things, 55 acres for the school complex and 66 acres of urban renewal land set aside for community developed projects.

In late 1968, NAPA was successful in spearheading a similar effort to defeat Route 75, a state highway, proposed to cut through Newark's black districts.

In 1969, in an effort to convert the resources gained from the medical school controversy into positive gains for the community, Williams became the executive director of the Newark Housing Council (NHC). The NHC was established to develop the 66 acres of land set aside by the Newark Housing Authority pursuant to the '68 Agreement. He assembled a staff and set about the task of forging a coalition among community groups for the development of the land into housing, educational and commercial resources.

Williams became a member of the New Jersey Bar in 1969. He was asked by Mayor Kenneth Gibson to serve as his first campaign coordinator in October of that year, and hence postponed his advent into the active ranks of the legal professions. Gibson was elected Mayor of the City of Newark in June of 1970, after a hard fought campaign, thus becoming the first Black man to ever hold that post in a major northeastern city.

Mayor Gibson asked Williams to serve as director of community development in the Model Cities Program in July of 1970. As CDA Director, Williams was responsible for fund raising and planning of federal, state and local revenues. Under his department were such areas of specialty as housing and economic development, health planning, SLEPA and LEAA projects. All total, over fifty million dollars was earmarked for Newark as a result of CDA planning activiities.

Williams opened his own law office in 1973. He has served in various capacities within the NBA, since his initial membership in 1971: Assistant regional director; member of the Board of Directors; 4th, 3rd and 2nd vice-president and now, president-elect.

He is married to the former Ollie Ruth Malveaux of Opelousas, Louisiana. They have one daughter, Camille Junea.

MARK T. McDONALD IS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION FOR 1977-78

Mark T. McDonald was sworn in as President of the National Bar Association Friday, August 5 at the Annual Awards Banquet during the 52nd Annual Meeting in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, New Orleans.

Mr. McDonald, senior partner in the law firm of McDonald and McDonald, has been active in the Association for over 10 years, having held various appointed and elected positions. He brings great experience to the presidency, having been a regional director and fourth, third, second and first vice president. Mr. McDonald became president-elect during last year's meeting in his hometown of Houston, Texas.

During his tenure, President McDonald is expected to stress reorganization of the National Bar Association as well as increased membership and a strong development program. He will also concern himself with the crucial issues of Black and other minority admissions to law school and the performance by Blacks on bar examinations.

Mr. McDonald is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Board of Law Examiners, State of Texas. He is a board member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Houston Lawyers Association and the Houston Trial Lawyers Association. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, the American Association of Trial Lawyers and the American Judicature Society.

[[image]]
[[caption]] Atty. Junius W. Williams, President-elect, Newark, New Jersey [[/caption]]

[[image]]
[[caption]] Atty. Mark T. McDonald, President, Houston, Texas [[/caption]]

265