In this interview, attorney James Montgomery provides frank and candid recollections of race relations in the practice of law. Despite, or perhaps because of, the pain of being excluded by fellow law students from study groups and being the victim of expressed and implicit bias, Mr. Montgomery rose to be one of the most respected Chicago trial lawyers ever. He explained that it has been his life goal to elevate the perception of Black lawyers in the community and expressed optimism about some of the changes in the practice of law.
You may also want to watch James Montgomery Inspiring Lawyers To Serve.
This interview was originally published in August 2017.
James Montgomery Bio
James Montgomery was born in Louise, Mississippi on February 17, 1932, and received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois in 1953. A 1956 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, Mr. Montgomery has extensive litigation experience in both state and federal court and has appeared in trials in various states throughout the country. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and has also appeared before various United States Courts of Appeal and the Illinois Supreme Court to argue cases. His reputation as a skilled litigator is widely known, with respect to both criminal and civil-rights cases. Read More…