Charlotte is remembering legendary civil rights attorney James E. Ferguson II, who passed away on July 21 at age 82. A trailblazer in the fight for racial justice, Ferguson leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking legal work and mentorship that shaped North Carolina and beyond.
A Celebration of Life was held Thursday at The Park Church, followed by a community reception titled “Closing Arguments: Honoring His Legacy – Remembering Our Friend” at Club Nile.
Ferguson co-founded the state’s first integrated law firm in 1967 alongside Julius Chambers, and led major civil rights cases, including Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the defense of the Wilmington Ten. He also worked globally to train future generations of lawyers and served as General Counsel for the ACLU.
Local leaders, including Mayor Vi Lyles, hailed him as a tireless advocate for justice and a mentor to many. His family asks that donations be made to civil rights causes in lieu of flowers.
(Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for NOBCO)
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