Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association True Change Requires Real Action
Advancing the political, economic, educational, social, legislative, and legal interests of the Black community in San Diego
50TH ANNIVERSARY
We Proudly Celebrate 50 YEARS of Advancing the Political, Economic, Educational, Social, Legislative, and Legal Interests of the Black Community in San Diego!
2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association ("EBGBA"), a cornerstone of San Diego's legal community which was originally established in 1976 as the Association of Black Attorneys of San Diego County.
This month, we touch on EBGBA’s beginnings in 1970s San Diego.
Commenting on the growing presence of Black attorneys in San Diego starting in the 1970s, which served as a building block for the organization eventually known as the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, Robert Fikes Jr. writes:
“In a complete turnaround from the 1960s, black attorneys were attracted to San Diego in the 1970s in greater numbers than at any time before or since. At least forty new faces were seen in the halls of justice during the decade—more than enough to give birth to an organization that would advance their professional interests, take a stance on legal matters affecting the African American community, and recognize and reward the good work of local black attorneys, judges, law professors and their students.” (Pioneers, Warriors, Advocates: San Diego’s Black Legal Community, 1890-2013, The Journal of San Diego History, Winter/Spring 2014, Volume 60, Numbers 1 & 2, pp. 53-54.)
EBGBA was originally established in 1976 as the Association of Black Attorneys of San Diego County (the “ABASDC”). However, the formation of this organization was not merely a professional milestone or a reflection of the African American legal community’s growth; it was a direct response to racial injustice.
The story begins in the mid-1970s at Aunt Emma's Pancakes restaurant, located at the corner of 54th and El Cajon in San Diego. A small group of Black attorneys met there. The peaceful gathering took an abrupt turn as they left the restaurant and were greeted by unexpected rain. The five attorneys rushed to escape the rain, but as they did, a police car suddenly approached them. The officer informed the group that a robbery had been reported in the area, and shockingly, they “matched the description” of the suspects. Despite presenting themselves as professionals and cooperating with the officer, the group was subjected to several minutes of harassment. Four of the men carried their California State Bar cards, which they presented to the officer as proof of their profession. But Willard Anthony, the one attorney who did not have his bar card on him, was arrested on the spot. It became apparent that no such robbery had been reported that day, and the incident was purely a case of racial profiling. Fortunately, the men had connections to Hon. Earl B. Gilliam. Judge Gilliam immediately intervened, securing Mr. Anthony’s release and ensuring that his record was expunged. More importantly, Judge Gilliam ensured the misconduct by the police officers was officially noted in each of their personnel files. As a result of this experience, the five men came together to form the Association of Black Attorneys of San Diego County. Despite their harrowing experience, the legacy of those five attorneys has endured for decades, evidenced by the organization’s sustained growth and support of the African American community in San Diego.
In 1982, under the presidency of Daniel Weber, the Association of Black Attorneys of San Diego County formally changed its name to the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association in recognition of Hon. Earl B. Gilliam, the first African-American United States District Court judge for the Southern District of California. Judge Gilliam was also the first African American to serve as a San Diego County Superior Court Judge.
Throughout the years EBGBA has collaborated with several local bar associations to advance the diverse interests of the San Diego County community; further, many members of EBGBA have gone on to successful careers as lawyers, judges, and in other pursuits.
Five decades later, EBGBA is still committed to defend the legal and human rights of all citizens, promote the administration of justice, eradicate the root causes of racism, promote the professional and personal interest of its individual members, and preserve high standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.
PRESIDENT MESSAGE
Welcome to the home of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association.
I am honored to serve as your 2025-2026 President. Established in 1976 as the Association of Black Attorneys of San Diego County, we proudly became the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association (EBGBA) in 1982.
Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association works to advance the political, economic, educational, social, legislative and legal interests of the Black community in San Diego County.
We are committed to continuing to strengthen our vibrant, inclusive network that uplifts every member. In alignment with this mission, we also support the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation (EBGBF), a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to diversifying the legal community.
Warm Regards,
André Ríos Bollinger
President, Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the political, economic, educational, social, legislative and legal interests of the Black community in San Diego County. We are committed to defending the legal and human rights of all people, promoting the administration of justice, eradicating the root causes of racism, promoting the professional and personal interests of its individual members, and preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.
Support
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association needs your support to as it works to advance the political, economic, educational, social, legislative and legal interests of the Black community in San Diego County. Donate to EBGBA so that it can continue to fight for equitable police practices, support candidates who align with the Mission, and lobby for legislative and legal interests of the African-American community in San Diego County.
Endorsements
Mission Statement
Endorsements
EBGBA endorses candidates for political office, judicial applicants, and legislative acts which advance the political, economic, educational, social, legislative and legal interests of the Black community in San Diego County.
The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the political, economic, educational, social, legislative and legal interests of the Black community in San Diego County.