Duane Morris partner Terrance J. Evans has been named to The American Lawyer’s inaugural list of West Trailblazers.
The list honors professionals who “are truly agents of change.” From the publication:
What was the genesis of the path that has made you a trailblazer?
My parents, Ozan J. Evans and Cora B. Evans, raised me with a strong sense of community and family. I learned from an early age about the importance of giving back to my community, and partnering with likeminded people to make the world a better place. Following the tragic murder of George Floyd, I joined forces with Adrieannette Ciccone, Leif Dautch, Marjaneh Maroufi, and Ellen Miller to co-found and co-chair the California Lawyers Association's Racial Justice Committee (the "RJC"). I also worked closely with Nichelle Holmes, President of the Charles Houston Bar Association, Tamara Benefield, Director of Region 9 of the National Bar Association, and Joseph K. West, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer of Duane Morris LLP.
What sort of change has resulted from the concept?
With the support of the great people named above, and others, I hosted, co-hosted and/or participated in more than 60 programs focused on civil rights, racial justice, diversity and inclusion. Included am/ongst those programs were programs for Black lawyers and judges who had experienced emotional trauma from racial discrimination. During these programs, I shared my personal experience of being racially profiled, and nearly losing my life when multiple police officers pulled guns on me while I studied for a law school exam. Creating a safe space and advocating for victims of racial discrimination, homophobia, sexism, and transphobia has been extraordinarily rewarding for me.
What bearing will this have on the future?
The RJC joined forces with affinity bar associations, civil rights groups, the California Legislature, and California Governor Gavin Newsom to enact: AB 1506 (Officer-involved shootings); AB 3070 (Jury selection); and AB 3121 (Reparations). These California civil rights bills will pave the way for racial justice in California and the USA.
For more information, please visit the publication website.
