Lawyerscommittee

In the summer of 1963, the Civil Rights Movement was reaching a fever pitch. Amidst this national crisis, President John F. Kennedy recognized a missing piece in the struggle for equality: the organized power of the legal profession. On June 21, 1963, he convened 244 of the nation's leading lawyers at the White House. His message was a direct call to action, urging them to apply their skills to move the fight for civil rights from the streets into the courts. This historic meeting was the catalyst for the creation of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Prominent attorneys Bernard G. Segal and Harrison Tweed stepped up to lead the new organization. Their mission was clear: to marshal the resources of the private bar to provide legal services to victims of racial discrimination and secure equal justice through the rule of law. The committee's initial focus was on Mississippi, a state known for its fierce resistance to desegregation. Since its inception, the organization has been instrumental in significant civil rights advancements, including amendments to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and continues to litigate cases involving voting rights, housing discrimination, and racial justice.