Mound City Bar Association is the oldest African-American bar association west of the Mississippi River. It was organized as the St. Louis Negro Bar Association on January 7, 1922, at a time when black lawyers were not allowed to join the all-white St. Louis Bar Association. Our objectives are to advance the professional interests of our members; to improve the administration of justice; to uphold the honor of the legal profession; to promote the professional development of our members; and to provide service to the community, including pro-bono representation.
Mound City Bar Association is a 501(c)(6) organization comprised of lawyers, judges, paralegals, and law students who advance the legal profession through active community participation, real mentoring, and offering professional development opportunities to our members. We are an affiliate, partner, and active participant of the National Bar Association. Mound City Bar Foundation is our separate 501(c)(3) organization and the charitable arm of Mound City Bar Association. Our Association and Foundation work hand-in-hand to raise funds and award scholarships to law students, among other charitable endeavors.
Our past presidents have been integral to the important advances Mound City Bar Association has made over the years. Working tirelessly behind the scenes, we are thankful for the time and resources our past presidents readily lent to Mound City Bar Association, in general, and its members, in particular. For a list of our past presidents click here.
The St. Louis legal community is filled with African Americans who have made tremendous contributions to the legal profession and individuals who have historically been avid supporters of African American attorneys. Many of the current pioneers/trailblazers have contributions that have gone unrecognized. As a result, Mound City Bar Association established the Legal Legend award to thank and pay homage to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the St. Louis legal profession and/or have been historical supporters of African American attorneys.
