5:09pm | The NAACP Long Beach Branch has announced that this year’s 10^th annual Law Day program will be held at the law offices of, and in conjunction with, Keesal, Young & Logan.

Aiming to motivate students of color to follow in the footsteps of famed NAACP lawyers and other unsung legal heroes who use their skill in law to promote equality and justice, the yearly program will be held this Wednesday, May 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.

According to the NAACP, lawyers have, since the birth of this nation, served as instruments of social change. When one looks into the halls of Congress, one will find many lawyers. Businesses cannot organize or function without legal contracts formulated by lawyers,” reads a media release announcing the event. “Finally, the nine men and woman Justices who sit on the United States Supreme Court protect our rights as Americans. All of them were practicing attorneys.” 

The 10th annual program will serve more than 100 students of color who attend elementary, middle and high schools as well as college. The participants will visit the law offices of one of the city’s largest, most prestigious private firms, receive mentoring from lawyers and sit in on panel discussions.

Additionally, a roundtable discussion will be held featuring the following judges and lawyers: Retired Judge Marcus Tucker, Los Angeles Superior Court; Judge Deborah Sanchez, Los Angeles Superior Court; Judge John C. Lawson, Los Angeles Superior Court; Judge Kelvin Filer, Los Angeles Superior Court, Compton Courthouse; Judge Dan Lowenthal, Los Angeles Superior Court; Robin D. Perry Esq., Law Offices of Robin D. Perry; Michele Dobson Wilson Esq., Law Offices of Michele A. Wilson; Jennifer Meeker Esq., Keesal, Young & Logan; Evelyn Kristensen Esq., Keesal, Young & Logan; Doug Haubert Esq., Long Beach City Prosecutor; Mario Cordero Esq., Harbor Commissioner; Montgomery Cole Esq., Madden, Jones, Cole and Johnson; Thomas Malizia J.D., director of Judicial Affairs, Cal State Long Beach; Todd Hicks Esq., L.A. County deputy district attorney, Major Crimes Division; Jack Fuller Esq., Law Office of Jack Fuller; and  Matthew Kinley Esq., Tredway, Lumsdaine & Doyle LLP.

“Lawyers influence our economic, political and social systems for the betterment of all,” said Naomi Rainey, president of the NAACP Long Beach Branch, in a statement. “When one feels that his or her rights have been ignored, one consults a lawyer. When laws are written, attorneys are consulted to ensure that they (the laws) are fair and precise. When someone is hurt by a person, company or faulty product, a lawyer will go to court to protect the rights of that individual. 

“To become an attorney is to become a social engineer,” Rainey continued. “Being a lawyer is a great and noble profession.”

The law offices of Keesal, Young & Logan are located at 400 Oceangate, Suite 1400.