Mission

The Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association was founded in 1966 to address the unique needs of African American lawyers and to enhance their performance and professionalism at a time when they were largely excluded by the majority bar. The Ben F. Jones Chapter was so named in honor of one of its founding fathers, Ben F. Jones, who practiced law in Shelby County from 1949 until his untimely death in 1966 – the same year of the Chapter’s founding.

Pursuant to our By-Laws, the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association serves the following purposes:

1. To foster and promote professionalism, collegiality, and legal education among members of the bar;

2. To proactively and visibly advocate causes that protect and advance the rights and privileges of members, their families, and their communities;

3. To promote diversity within the bar;

4. To enhance the performance and increase the professional opportunities of member attorneys;

5. To promote responsible relationships between the legal profession and public;

6. To engage in community outreach in order to enhance public understanding of the law;

7. To promote understanding of and adherence to legal ethics;

8. To promote the rule of law;

9. To protect the independence of the judiciary; and

10. To support and uphold the express constitutional objectives of the National Bar Association.