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Contact president@benfjones.org with any questions or to Join the Waitlist!
Picture it. Memphis circa 1936. Prominent black professionals, including doctors, entrepreneurs, teachers, ministers, businessmen, and lawyers create a uniquely Memphis celebration that rivals Carnival! W.C. Handy welts out soulful blues as the Jubilee King and Queen are crowned. The Coronation parade, led by Grand Marshall W.C. Handy, starts down the street with bands playing "Memphis Blues" and "Beale Street Blues" marking an event bigger than Mardi Gras!
The Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association aims to continue supporting diversity in our profession and investing in the next generation of legal minds. To support these aims, we are requesting your presence at the Ben F. Jones Chapter’s 2023 Barristers’ Ball, our annual Chapter fundraiser and awards banquet where we honor legal professionals committed to serving the Memphis metropolitan area as well as awarding scholarships to outstanding legal scholars attending Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. This year's Barristers' Ball will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the FedEx Event Center.
Interested individuals and businesses may purchase an ad for our Digital Program Booklet or sponsor a souvenir item by visiting our EVENT OFFERS page.
***If a sponsor desires to pay by Check, please email both president@benfjones.org and treasurer@htlockardfoundation.com and mail your check to the HT Lockard Foundation, P.O. Box 3493, Memphis, Tennessee 38173. All checks should be made payable to the “HT Lockard Foundation.” Please let us know when your check has been mailed. Please make all individual purchases online for better record-keeping and access to event updates.
VENUE: The FedEx Event Center
Located in Shelby Farms, the FedEx Event Center features picturesque views of Hyde Lake and serves as our backdrop for a celebratory evening. The scenic patio (weather permitting) is the perfect canvas where the Royal Court Cocktail Hour will commence.
THEME:
The theme for this year’s Barristers' Ball is "The Memphis Lawyers' Jubilee: Celebrating 57 Years of Legal Excellence" a tribute to the historic Memphis Cotton Makers' Jubilee. The event will include an opportunity for attendees to connect, celebrate the scholarship recipients, and reflect on the organization’s goals—to be engaged, respected, and relevant.
ATTIRE:
Formal Attire. Black Tie Royalty.
SPONSOR TABLES & VIP TICKETS:
We are so thankful to all of our sponsors and supporters. In order to have the smoothest process for our event coordinators. Sponsors will be seated in preferred order of (1) SPONSOR LEVEL (Platinum > Gold > Silver > Bronze) and (2) Order of Purchase. There is no guarantee that NON-VIP tickets and tables will be available! All sponsor tables are tables for 10 guests. Individual ticket holders will also be sat in order of purchase! In order to confirm a sponsor table, please purchase your table online, contact us to arrange pick-up, or mail your check.
- EARLY BIRD VIP DISCOUNTED tickets will go on sale October 10, 2023 - October 20, 2023.
- REGULAR tickets, if available, will go on sale October 21, 2023 - November 8, 2023.
- Limited Seating is Available for this Event! Please DO NOT wait until the last minute to make your purchase as you will want to be in the room where it happens!
- All changes to ticket names can be made by the purchaser or table representative via your confirmation page or electronic receipt at any time.
PURPOSE: FUNDRAISER
The Barristers' Ball is the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association's annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the Ball help support diversity scholarships at The University of Memphis - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, as well as, other Ben F. Jones Chapter initiatives. At checkout, ticket purchasers may add an additional donation to support the Judge D'Army Bailey Scholarship Fund.
AWARDS & HONOREES:
The 2023 recipients of the Judge D’Army Bailey Scholarship will be announced after they are selected. All students who receive the scholarship are diverse students attending the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
The Chapter will also present our most prestigious awards, the A.A. Latting Award for Community Service, the A.A. Latting Award for Legal Excellence, and the President’s Award(s). The Chapter named its annually awarded honors after Mr. Arvis “A.A.” Latting, Sr., who was one of the few practicing black lawyers in Memphis in the early 1940s. Latting was also a professor at LeMoyne Owen College where he mentored the “Founding Five” members of the Memphis Chapter of the National Bar Association including Ben F. Jones. It is a testament to Latting’s memory that our Chapter honors members who have exhibited the same scholarship and generosity of his spirit. The President's Award recipients are chosen by the Chapter's President and given to a member of our local legal community who has shown dedication to the Chapter, made a positive impact in the community, has helped further the mission of the Chapter, excelled in legal work/field or has volunteered with the Chapter. The President's Award recipient is an attorney/judge who inspires and sets an example for all members of the organization.
HONOREES:
A.A. Latting Award for Legal Excellence | Bruce McMullen, Esq.
A.A. Latting Award for Community Service | Damon Griffin, Esq.
A.A. Latting Award for Community Service | Laquita Stokes, Esq.
The President's Award | Hon. Shayla Purifoy
The Distinguished Service Award | Gregory Duckett, Esq.
The Distinguished Service Award | Monica Wharton, Esq.
Judge D'Army Bailey Scholarship Recipients
Raven A. Adair | Benjamyn C. Elliott | Kyla A. Greer
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & DONATIONS:
We invite you to join us as a sponsor for this signature event. We anticipate having hundreds of attendees, including Chapter members, state and local government leaders, other professional associations, and members of the community. All proceeds are tax-deductible through the Chapter’s nonprofit entity - the HT Lockard Foundation.
SPONSORSHIPS & DONATIONS:
(1) To support this event and fundraiser please submit your donation online (preferred method). You may also secure a table for the event online.
NOTE: You can uncheck the service fee box and change the transaction fee in that area.
(2) Submit your payment via CashApp to $HTLockardFoundation
(3) You may also send a check to us and it should be made payable to the HT Lockard Foundation and mailed to:
The HT Lockard Foundation
Attn: Laquita Stokes, Esq. (Treasurer)
PO Box 3493, Memphis, Tennessee 38173
For an Invoice, please email:
treasurer@htlockardfoundation.com and president@benfjones.org
(Subject Line: 2023 Barristers' Ball Sponsorship)
All donations are tax-deductible.
DIGITAL PROGRAM BOOK ADS:
Ad prices are available on the EVENT OFFERS page. Ads should be submitted using the Google Form HERE.
PARKING:
Complimentary parking is available for guests in the main parking lot adjacent to the FedEx Event Center. Guests may enter the main entrance of the FedEx Event Center to access the venue and check-in.
COVID-19:
The health and safety of our Barristers' Ball supporters is of the utmost importance. Therefore, the Chapter follows CDC guidelines as well as applicable local and state regulations related to COVID-19. We do ask that if you are not feeling well or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 that you please refrain from attending the event in person.
QUESTIONS:
General inquiries regarding this event can be directed to president@benfjones.org. Inquiries regarding sponsorship invoices and payments should be directed to treasurer@htlockardfoundation.com.
