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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lembhard G. Howell Receives 2009 President’s Award(SEATTLE) — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announces that Seattle attorney Lembhard G. Howell is a recipient of the 2009 President’s Award. The President’s Award is given annually by the current WSBA president in recognition of special accomplishment or service to the WSBA during the president’s term; J. Donald Curran, of Spokane, is also being honored with this year’s President’s Award. Howell’s award is presented “in recognition of a career devoted to the tenacious pursuit of civil justice for the injured and the passionate protection of civil rights for all.” WSBA President Mark Johnson will present the award at the President’s Dinner, to be held on September 23, 2009. Born in a village just outside Kingston, Jamaica, Howell moved with his family to New York’s Harlem neighborhood in 1946. He attended Lafayette College, one of only 19 black students on campus, but says he never felt out of place; he led the debate team and received a nomination for the George Wharton Pepper Prize, honoring the student who best exemplifies the Lafayette ideal. Howell served for four years in the United States Navy, and was the first black officer on the USS General Randall. He received his law degree from New York University in 1964, but the racism still prevalent in that era barred him from joining a large firm. With help from a fellowship program that placed law students in governors’ offices around the country, Howell joined Governor Albert Rosellini’s office in Olympia, then served as a Washington assistant attorney general. In 1969, Howell and former Congressman John Miller formed the law firm Miller & Howell, which later became Miller, Howell & Watson. While still a new lawyer, Howell faced a trial that would forever alter the lives of many African-Americans: Central Contractors Association v. Local 46 IBEW, et al. Howell argued in federal court on behalf of African-American workers that they had barred from the union, which had been “depriving blacks of their chance for employment.” He framed the litigation as a civil-rights issue and won the case for his clients; the ruling precipitated the federal government’s involvement against the same defendants. Howell was the first black governor on the WSBA Board of Governors, serving 1989–1992. He is a founding member of the Loren Miller Bar Association (the first minority bar organization in Washington), a life member of the American Trial Lawyers Association (a national association of trial lawyers dedicated to preserving the rights of injured people), a founding member of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, a member of the Washington State Association for Justice, and an advocate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He also served on the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary from 1992 until 1996. Previously, Howell was honored as Trial Lawyer of the Year for both the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (now known as Washington State Association for Justice) and the Washington chapter of ABOTA (1994). Howell is also annually listed in America's Best Lawyers and as a “Super Lawyer” in Washington Law & Politics. About the Washington State Bar Association # # # |