John M. Clark named distinguished alumnus of 2007

John M. Clark, '78, will be honored as the Law Center's 2007 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year at the traditional alumni breakfast, Wednesday, August 1, held in conjunction with the National Bar Association's 82nd Annual Convention and Exhibits in Atlanta, Georgia.

This recognition salutes Clark for his 25-year career in the legal profession committed to the furtherance of civil rights in the state of Georgia. Alumni and other supporters are invited to join the Law Center at the 7 a.m. breakfast at The Westin Peachtree Plaza. "Carrying the Torch: Leading by Example," is the theme of the NBA annual meeting.

Clark served as a pioneer in the city of Elberton, Georgia, where he serves as the first and only African-American attorney. He forged a path for other African Americans through his civil rights cases that opened up policies throughout Georgia. Three cases in particular highlight Clark's career. Clark along with fellow attorneys Kenneth Dious, Willie Woodruff Jr. and David Fwalbert successfully challenged the at-large voting system in Elbert County allowing African Americans for the first time to elect people of their choice from their respective wards.

The second monumental case of his career involved the hiring policies of the city of Elberton's fire department. Clark successfully challenged the city's policies resulting in the city now having four African-American firemen. Clark's most controversial case involved the voting practices of the Hart County Government. On August 9, 1988, he filed suit to change the at-large voting system of electing county commissioners. This suit resulted in R. C. Oglesby being elected as the first person of color to serve on the board of commissions.