Phelps Dunbar Partners Inducted Into National Bar Association Hall of Fame

August 10, 2009

Phelps Dunbar partners Reuben V. Anderson and Fred L. Banks, Jr. were recently inducted into the National Bar Association (NBA) Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held on August 7 at the 23rd Annual Hall of Fame Luncheon during the NBA 84th Annual Convention & Exhibits in San Diego. This is a high honor bestowed by the NBA upon members of the Bar who have served long and gallantly in the pursuit of justice and equality before the courts of the United States of America. This induction recognizes an individual's commitment of services in the practice of law, contributions to the African-American community and the significant dedication that has been made to the cause of justice during more than 40 years in their practice of law.

Mr. Anderson, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice in Mississippi, is a senior partner in the general litigation group in the Jackson office. He practices in the areas of commercial litigation, regulatory and governmental matters and gaming. In addition to his work at the firm, Mr. Anderson has cultivated a professional resume spanning three decades of legal service. Key positions have included: Jamie L. Whitten Chair of Law and Government at the University of Mississippi, Fall of 1995; Mississippi Supreme Court Justice, 1985-91; Circuit Court Judge for the 7th Circuit Court District, 1981-85; County Court Judge for Hinds County, 1977-81; Municipal Judge for the City of Jackson, 1976-77; Partner, Anderson, Banks, Nichols & Stewart, 1968-77; Mississippi Associate Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., 1967-75. He is also among a select group of lawyers listed in nationwide client surveys published by Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America.

Mr. Banks is a senior partner in the general litigation group in the Jackson office. He practices in the areas of commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, legislative and governmental relations and appellate law. He was recently honored with the Justice and Leadership Award by Howard University School of Law for his service to the legal profession and the Mississippi community. Mr. Banks is a former Presiding Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court and retired from that position in October 2001. He was appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1991 and served on that court for 11 years. He served as a circuit judge in Hinds and Yazoo counties for six years before that. From 1976 until 1985, Mr. Banks served in the Mississippi House of Representatives as Chair of the Ethics Committee, a Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Black Caucus. Mr. Banks also served as a member of the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions from 1978 to 1980, and as a member of a number of advisory commissions at the state and federal level. He is among a select group of lawyers listed in nationwide client surveys published by Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America.

Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of over 260 attorneys, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; and London, England.

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