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'''Oscar William Adams, Jr''' (born [[February 7]], [[1925]] in [[Birmingham]] - died [[February 15]], [[1997]] in Birmingham) was the first African-American Alabama Supreme Court justice. | '''Oscar William Adams, Jr''' (born [[February 7]], [[1925]] in [[Birmingham]] - died [[February 15]], [[1997]] in Birmingham) was the first African-American [[Alabama Supreme Court]] justice and the first African American elected to statewide office in Alabama. | ||
Adams was a [[1940]] graduate of [[Parker High School]]. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy at [[Talladega College]] in [[1944]] and a law degree at Howard University in Washington D. C. in [[1947]]. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar that year and launched his own private practice, specializing in civil rights cases. During [[1963]]'s [[Birmingham Campaign]] Adams was a member of the [[Central Committee 1963|Central Committee]] that met at the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]] to plan demonstrations. | Adams was a [[1940]] graduate of [[Parker High School]]. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy at [[Talladega College]] in [[1944]] and a law degree at Howard University in Washington D. C. in [[1947]]. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar that year and launched his own private practice, specializing in civil rights cases. During [[1963]]'s [[Birmingham Campaign]] Adams was a member of the [[Central Committee 1963|Central Committee]] that met at the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]] to plan demonstrations. | ||
In [[1967]] | Adams became the first African American to join the [[Birmingham Bar Association]] in [[1966]]. In [[1967]] he partnered with white attorney [[Harvey Burg]] to form the state's first integrated legal practice. The firm he later founded with [[James Baker]] and [[U. W. Clemon]] ([[Adams, Baker and Clemon]]) was one of the foremost law firms to litigate Civil Rights cases in the 1960s. | ||
Adams was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court on [[October 10]], [[1980]] by Governor [[Fob James]]. He won re-election in [[1982]] and [[1988]]. He taught classes in appellate and trial advocacy at [[Samford University]]'s [[Cumberland School of Law]]. He retired from the bench on [[October 31]], [[1993]] in order to spend time writing a memoir. Governor James appointed [[Ralph Cook]] to finish his term. | Adams was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court on [[October 10]], [[1980]] by Governor [[Fob James]]. He won re-election in [[1982]] and [[1988]]. He taught classes in appellate and trial advocacy at [[Samford University]]'s [[Cumberland School of Law]]. He retired from the bench on [[October 31]], [[1993]] in order to spend time writing a memoir. Governor James appointed [[Ralph Cook]] to finish his term. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://www.alacourt.gov/Court%20News/October-1993.pdf Justice Adams Announces Retirement; Circuit Judge Ralph Cook is Appointed]" (October 1993) ''Alabama Court News''. | * "[http://www.alacourt.gov/Court%20News/October-1993.pdf Justice Adams Announces Retirement; Circuit Judge Ralph Cook is Appointed]" (October 1993) ''Alabama Court News''. | ||
* Noble, Holcombe B. (February 18, 1997) "Oscar Adams, 72, a Pioneer As Alabama Top Court Justice | * Noble, Holcombe B. (February 18, 1997) "[http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/18/us/oscar-adams-72-a-pioneer-as-alabama-top-court-justice.html Oscar Adams, 72, a Pioneer As Alabama Top Court Justice]" ''New York Times'' | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 15:43, 22 November 2009
Oscar William Adams, Jr (born February 7, 1925 in Birmingham - died February 15, 1997 in Birmingham) was the first African-American Alabama Supreme Court justice and the first African American elected to statewide office in Alabama.
Adams was a 1940 graduate of Parker High School. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy at Talladega College in 1944 and a law degree at Howard University in Washington D. C. in 1947. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar that year and launched his own private practice, specializing in civil rights cases. During 1963's Birmingham Campaign Adams was a member of the Central Committee that met at the A. G. Gaston Motel to plan demonstrations.
Adams became the first African American to join the Birmingham Bar Association in 1966. In 1967 he partnered with white attorney Harvey Burg to form the state's first integrated legal practice. The firm he later founded with James Baker and U. W. Clemon (Adams, Baker and Clemon) was one of the foremost law firms to litigate Civil Rights cases in the 1960s.
Adams was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court on October 10, 1980 by Governor Fob James. He won re-election in 1982 and 1988. He taught classes in appellate and trial advocacy at Samford University's Cumberland School of Law. He retired from the bench on October 31, 1993 in order to spend time writing a memoir. Governor James appointed Ralph Cook to finish his term.
Adams married twice. He fathered three children (Gail, Oscar III and Frank) with his first wife, the former Willa Intersoll.
Adams died from an infection related to cancer at Baptist Medical Center-Montclair. He was survived by his children, 10 grandchildren, and his second wife Anne-Marie. Gadsden's Oscar W. Adams Elementary School was named in his honor in 1983. He was inducted into the Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2005 and to the Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens in 2008.
References
- "Justice Adams Announces Retirement; Circuit Judge Ralph Cook is Appointed" (October 1993) Alabama Court News.
- Noble, Holcombe B. (February 18, 1997) "Oscar Adams, 72, a Pioneer As Alabama Top Court Justice" New York Times
External links
- Oscar W. Adams, Jr profile at "Alabama Moments in American History". Alabama Department of Archives and History