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Legal Legends of Color Award Honorees

The tenth annual Legal Legends of Color Awards Celebration will take place Thursday, June 26. The Legal Legends of Color Awards Celebration demonstrates the NCBA’s commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. The celebration is a time to recognize and honor attorneys and other legal professionals of color whose legacies represent ceilings broken for all attorneys who follow in their footsteps and whose impacts on the legal profession are undeniable.

2025 Legal Legends of Color Award Honorees

The Honorable Loretta Copeland Biggs
The Honorable Allyson Kay Duncan
Charles Edison Smith
James E. Williams Jr.

The Honorable Loretta Copeland Biggs

Loretta Copeland Biggs was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Spelman College in 1976, cum laude, and from Howard University School of Law in 1979, with honors, ranking fifth in her class. Appointed in 2014 by President Barack Obama, Judge Biggs made history as the first African American woman to serve as a United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Prior to her appointment to the federal bench, Judge Biggs was a partner in the law firms of Allman Spry Davis Leggett & Crumpler, PA., and Davis Harwell and Biggs, P.A. (2003–2014). She served as an Associate Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals (2001–2002) and as State District Court Judge for the 21st Judicial District, Forsyth County (1987–1994). Judge Biggs was appointed Executive Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina (1997–2001) and Assistant District Attorney for the 21st Judicial District in Forsyth County (1984–1987). Judge Biggs also served as an Adjunct Law Professor at Wake Forest School of Law, 1984-87. She began her legal career as staff Counsel for The Coca Cola Company (1979– 1982).

In 1999, United States Attorney General, Janet Reno, presented Judge Biggs with the Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety. This was the first such award presented by the United States Attorney General and Judge Biggs was one of only three recipients nationwide.

While in the United States Attorneys’ Office, Judge Biggs led, with others in her office, a juvenile violence reduction initiative that led to a 50% reduction in juvenile crime and a 70% reduction in firearm use by juveniles. The success of this program resulted in a $6 million Safe Schools, Healthy Students grant to address violence in schools and the community and a $1.8 million grant from a local foundation to create “The Center for Community Safety” at Winston- Salem State University. Judge Biggs’ work on these efforts reflects her belief that to really impact crime, we must concentrate on preventing crime, not just reacting to it.

Judge Biggs is the mother of two adult children, their spouses and five beautiful grandchildren.

The Honorable Allyson Kay Duncan

Allyson Kay Duncan graduated first in her class at Hampton University in 1972 and received her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 1975. She became the first African American woman to serve as justice on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the first African American president of the North Carolina Bar Association, and the first African American woman to sit on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In 1978, Judge Duncan joined the staff of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Between 1978 and 1986, she had served in a variety of roles at the commission: appellate attorney, assistant to the deputy general counsel, assistant to the chairman, acting associate legal counsel, and acting legal counsel.

Judge Duncan served as an associate professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law from 1986 to 1990, teaching property law, appellate advocacy, and employment discrimination. In 1990, she served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals as an Associate Judge. Thereafter, Judge Duncan was appointed a Commissioner of the North Carolina Utilities Commission in 1991. In 1998, Judge Duncan served as a partner at Kilpatrick Stockton, where she worked until her appointment to the federal bench.

Judge Duncan is a past president of the Federal Judges Association (FJA), the organization representing Article III United States judges. Chief Justice John Roberts appointed her to chair the International Judicial Relations Committee, which coordinates and responds to requests for judicial assistance in other countries. She is a member of the American Law Institute (ALI). Judge Duncan also serves as the president of the North American/Asian Group of the International Association of Judges.

Judge Duncan remains active in her profession – speaking around the world on such issues as Rule of Law, Counter Terrorism, and Human Rights on behalf of the United States government.

Charles Edison Smith

Charles Edison Smith earned his B.S. from California State Polytechnic University, his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, and his L.L.M. from Duke University. He is an active member of the California, New York, and North Carolina Bars. In 1973, he became one of the first Black patent attorneys in the U.S. after passing the United States patent bar exam. Today, he is believed to be the most senior living Black patent attorney in the nation, and the first and most senior Black patent attorney practicing in North Carolina. He was also North Carolina’s first Black professor of patent law and is believed to be the first in the nation. As one of the earliest Black patent examiners in the U.S., he has inspired generations to pursue careers in patent law.Mr. Smith’s work has encompassed all types of legal practice environments. He began as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent Office, then served as counsel for Bechtel Corporation and later worked as a patent attorney for Xerox Corporation, where he contributed to securing patents for significant innovations. He also worked as an attorney advisor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Information Systems Command, where he became an expert at deciphering the rules and regulations of government contracting — a talent that also has served his clients well over the years.

A dedicated legal educator, Mr. Smith began teaching at Golden State University before joining North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in 1979. There, he launched courses in patent and intellectual property law, corporate and agency-partnership legal courses, and helped found NCCU Law’s Intellectual Property Law Journal as faculty advisor. He served as associate dean for many years and earned NCCU Law’s “Professor of the Year” award. He authored numerous publications and led programs in intellectual property, contracts, and sports and entertainment law.
One of his highly valued and enduring contributions to legal education is the Performance Based Admissions Program (PBAP), co-founded with Professor Mary Wright. Established 40 years ago, and to quote former Judge Fred Williams, PBAP has allowed, “intelligent individuals, many of whom are minorities, an opportunity to attend law school by taking into consideration more than just the required standardized test scores…[PBAP admission] is offered to a limited number of applicants whose credentials do not qualify them for unconditional admission, but whose records nonetheless show promise of success.” PBAP has helped launch the legal careers of many outstanding attorneys in North Carolina and beyond who might not have otherwise accessed the profession.

Mr. Smith founded NCCU’s Intellectual Property Law Institute in 2016 with support from SAS Institute. As founding director, he created a space to train minority students in IP law. Initially, students collaborated with the Patent Office to review and help invalidate suspect patents. The Institute later expanded into a clinic providing IP services to underserved communities. It also supports the broader community through seminars, workshops, and programs where entrepreneurs and the public can engage with experts on key IP issues, strategies, and resources. Today, nearly a decade later, the Institute remains a vital resource for both students and the public, promoting diversity and access in intellectual property law through education, service, and outreach.

While teaching at NCCU, Mr. Smith maintained a part-time legal practice with Olive & Olive until ABA changes restricted it. After retiring, he rejoined the firm as “of counsel” and continues practicing patent law in Durham, NC. Notably, he helped achieve a ruling affirming that Internet Archive content does not automatically make information publicly available.

Mr. Smith is married to Dr. Queen Elizabeth Utley-Smith (“Queen”), and they have one adult daughter.

James E. Williams Jr.

James E. Williams Jr. received a B.A. in Political Science and J.D. from Duke University. Mr. Williams is a revered leader in North Carolina’s legal community and a tireless advocate for justice and equity. Throughout his career, Mr. Williams has been a steadfast voice for the marginalized and a champion for systemic reform.

Mr. Williams’ dedication to public interest law and social justice set the tone for a lifetime of meaningful advocacy. He began his career in public service with Farm Workers Legal Services of North Carolina, where he provided legal representation to many of the state’s most vulnerable and underserved communities. He served as the Felony Chief of the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office and, in 1990, was appointed Chief Public Defender for Orange and Chatham Counties. There, he had a distinguished career from 1990-2017.

In 2010, while a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Board of Governors, Mr. Williams helped establish, and served as Chair of, the Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Bias in the Criminal Justice System. In 2012, the work of the Task Force led to the establishment of the North Carolina Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Criminal Justice System, of which Mr. Williams served as a board member and later Commission Chair. Mr. Williams is the founder and board member of the North Carolina Public Defender Committee on Racial Equity and served as its president from 2011-2016. He has served on numerous boards, including the N.C. Fines and Fees Coalition, National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts, North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers, and Orange Bias Free Policing Coalition.

Since 2018, Mr. Williams has served in an Of Counsel capacity at The Center for Death Penalty Litigation as Racial Equity Coordinator. In January 2020, Governor Cooper appointed him to the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. Mr. Williams has received numerous awards, including the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Thurgood Marshall Award, the MLK University/Community Planning Inc. MLK Jr. Citizenship Award, the North Carolina ACLU Champion of Justice Award, and the North Carolina Bar Association James McNeil Smith Jr. Award. Most recently, he won the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Annie Brown Kennedy Award for commitment to acquiring full freedom for all citizens of North Carolina and exceptional advocacy that protects individual liberties.

 

Previous Legal Legends of Color Honorees

  • 2024 Honorees – The Honorable James Andrew Wynn, Charles L. Becton, The Honorable Patrice A. Hinnant (Ret.), Cindy Marie Patton, Karl Adkins (posthumously)
  • 2023 Honorees – Judge Joe L. Webster, Judge Addie M. Harris Rawls (Ret.), Former Rep. Annie, Brown Kennedy (posthumously), Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell, Brenda Ford Harding
  • 2022 Honorees – Judge Ola M. Lewis (posthumously), Attorney Arlinda F. Locklear, Attorney Margaret Dudley, Attorney Georgia Jacquez Lewis
  • 2021 Honorees – Judge Elreta Melton Alexander (posthumously), Attorney Karen Bethea-Shields, Judge Wanda G. Bryant, Professor James E. Coleman, Jr., Attorney Julian Pierce (posthumously)
  • 2020 Honorees – Judge Yvonne Mims Evans, Attorney Anthony Fox, Attorney J. Kenneth Lee* (posthumously), Senator Dan T. Blue, Jr., Professor George R. Johnson, Jr.
  • 2019 Honorees – Professor Charles Daye, Former U.S. Attorney Janice McKenzie Cole, Former Legislator H. M. “Mickey” Michaux Jr., Judge Sammie Chess, Attorney Julius Chambers (posthumously)
  • 2018 Honorees – Judge Shirley Fulton, Judge Paul Jones, Attorney Glenn Adams, Attorney Victor Boone
  • 2017 Honorees – Judge Albert Diaz, Former Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson, Professor Irving Joyner
  • 2016 Honorees – Chief Justice Cheri Lynn Beasley, Former Chief Justice Henry E. Frye, Attorney James E. “Fergie” Ferguson II