Abe Berkowitz

Abraham Berkowitz (born November 26, 1907; died December 1985) was an attorney, notable for his leadership in representing African American defendants, attacking the Ku Klux Klan and promoting the change from Birmingham's City Commission form of government.

Berkowitz earned his degree at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he roomed with Albert Boutwell. He began practicing in Birmingham in 1928. He partnered with Arnold Lefkovits in the firm of Berkowitz & Lefkovits in 1950. The firm soon began receiving attorneys, such as David Vann, who were forced out of other firms due to their Civil Rights advocacy. In 2003 the 60 member firm was acquired by Baker Donelson of Huntsville, Tennessee.

Berkowitz was also a notable supporter of the Zionist movement. He donated funds to arm Jewish settlers and convinced the Alabama legislature to pass a resolution in support of the creation of a Jewish state. He was also reportedly an advisor to David Ben-Gurion prior to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

References

• Kimerling, Solomon (July 18, 2012) "Unmasking the Klan: late 1940s coalition against racial violence." Weld for Birmingham