MONUMENTAL HISTORY

The Monumental City Bar Association was founded in 1935 by several legal pioneers including Warner McQuinn, W. Ashbie Hawkins and the future Unites States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. MCBA was formed as a coalition of black lawyers promoting justice for all people.

In 1952, MCBA celebrated its first female officer, Lena K. Lee, as Vice President of the organization and Bernadine Miles became the first woman president of MCBA in 1983. Over the years, MCBA’s membership has grown to include the country’s most prominent attorneys: Harry A. Cole, John Hargrove, William H. Murphy, Sr., Soloman Baylor, George L. Russell, Sr., Robert Watts, Sr. and Robert M. Bell, the current Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals. Currently, a number of sitting judges and prominent attorneys throughout the state are active members and supporters of MCBA.

 THE MONUMENTAL MISSION

The Monumental City Bar Association is designed to provide timely forums on various topics of interest and concern in the legal community and the community at large. Projects include:

• Providing mentoring and counseling to law students and young   lawyers. 
• Providing training opportunities to advance the education and professional development of African-American attorneys throughout the state.
• Providing fellowship and support for African-American attorneys through networking opportunities.
• Providing vital legal services to the community.
• Upholding the dignity and honor of the legal profession.