EBGBA Beginnings

The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association was originally established in 1976 as the Association of Black Attorneys of San Diego County (the “ABASDC”). The formation of this organization was not merely a professional milestone; it was a direct response to racial injustice.

The story begins in the mid-1970s at Emma's Pancake House, 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.  The legacy of those five attorneys and their harrowing experience has endured for decades. 

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 (the "EBGBA") 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. 

EBGBA is 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.