Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association
About Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association
Established in 1966, the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association honors the legacy of its namesake, Ben F. Jones, a pioneering attorney who practiced law in Shelby County from 1949 until his death in that founding year. The Chapter was created to address the unique needs of African American lawyers during a time when they were largely excluded from the majority bar, and it has evolved into a vital community institution serving Memphis, Tennessee. For more than five decades, the organization has been linking Black lawyers to each other and to the broader legal community, celebrating the culture, influence, and progress of African American attorneys in the Memphis area. The Chapter operates as part of the National Bar Association, the world's oldest and largest association of attorneys of color, providing members with access to a national network of professional support and resources. Beyond professional networking, the Ben F. Jones Chapter remains deeply committed to community engagement, working to advance the rights and privileges of members, their families, and their communities. The organization champions diversity within the legal profession, promotes legal ethics and understanding of the law among the public, and upholds constitutional objectives that strengthen the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. Through decades of dedicated service, the Chapter has become an essential resource for Memphis's legal community and a beacon of progress for attorneys of color.