The Unwavering Legacy of Benjamin Crump: A Champion for Civil Rights and Justice
Attorney Benjamin Crump stands at the forefront of the fight for civil rights and social justice in America, leveraging his legal expertise to champion the cause of marginalized communities. Through tireless advocacy and a steadfast commitment to justice, Crump has not only represented families in some of the nation’s most high-profile civil rights cases but has also been instrumental in shaping policies that aim to dismantle systemic inequality.
Driving Legislative and Precedent-Setting Change
Crump’s advocacy extends beyond the courtroom, profoundly influencing legislative change across the country. His efforts have directly led to the development of new laws and policies aimed at preventing excessive force, promoting accountability, and mandating implicit bias training for law enforcement officers.
His dedication to setting legal precedents is equally notable. Crump successfully worked on the precedent-setting U.S. Supreme Court case involving excessive police force against Robbie Tolan in 2008, a landmark decision that underscored the importance of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Championing Victims in High-Profile Civil Rights Battles
Attorney Crump has become one of the most recognized figures advocating for families seeking justice in the aftermath of police brutality and racial injustice. His high-profile civil rights cases include:
- Trayvon Martin (2012): Representing the family of the teenager killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida, a case that ignited a national conversation on race and self-defense laws.
- Michael Brown (2014): Representing the family of the young man killed by a law enforcement officer in Ferguson, Missouri, which fueled the growing Black Lives Matter movement.
- Stephon Clark (2018): Advocating for the family of the man killed by police officers in Sacramento, California.
- Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd (Most Recently): Leading the charge for justice for these families, whose tragic deaths sparked global protests and demands for police reform.
Crump’s commitment also extends to protecting vulnerable communities in other complex civil rights matters. He represented 9 of the 13 Black women who were victims in the Holtzclaw Oklahoma City Police rape case in 2015, and he has taken on the massive environmental injustice surrounding the residents of Flint, Michigan, affected by the poisoned water of the Flint River. Most recently, he has represented the family of Henrietta Lacks in a landmark reparations case seeking compensation for the unauthorized use of her cells, highlighting the exploitation of Black bodies in medical science.
Securing Historic Settlements and Verdicts
The impact of Crump’s work is often measured in the substantial and historic settlements and verdicts he has secured for families facing grave injustices. These results not only provide critical financial support for victims and their families but also send a powerful message about accountability:
- A monumental $411 million verdict for Duane Washington, who suffered horrific injuries in a truck accident.
- A $641 million settlement for the thousands of children affected by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
- A $27 million settlement for the family of George Floyd, and a $12 million settlement for the family of Breonna Taylor.
- Over $200 million in settlements in “banking while Black” cases, addressing systemic discrimination in the financial sector.
Leadership and Institutional Dedication
Beyond the courtroom, Attorney Crump holds significant positions of leadership within the legal community. He currently serves as the President of the National Civil Rights Trial Lawyers Association and previously served as the President of the National Bar Association. He also made history as the first African-American to chair the Florida State University College of Law Board of Directors.
Demonstrating his long-term dedication to educating the next generation of social justice advocates, he is the founder and director of the Benjamin Crump Social Justice Institute.
In a historic moment in 2023, the College of Law at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, was renamed the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. This is the first law school in the country named after a practicing Black attorney, solidifying a partnership that is actively working to open doors and increase opportunities for minority students pursuing legal careers.
Accolades and Public Platforms
Attorney Crump’s exemplary career has earned him numerous distinguished honors, including:
- The NAACP Thurgood Marshall Award.
- The SCLC Martin Luther King Servant Leader Award.
- The American Association for Justice Johnnie Cochran Award.
- The Alpha Kappa Alpha Eleanor Roosevelt Medallion for Service.
A sought-after voice on legal and social issues, Crump is a frequent contributor to major news networks such as MSNBC, CNN, and USA Today. He has also utilized the power of media to shed light on complex cases, hosting the critically acclaimed legal docudramas “Evidence of Innocence” on TVOne and “Who Killed Tupac: The Search For Justice” on A&E, and serving as executive producer and writer for the documentary, “Woman in Motion,” about groundbreaking African-American actress Nichelle Nichols.
His insightful book, published in October 2019, “Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People,” offers a poignant reflection on the landmark cases he has battled and the devastating impact of discrimination within the courthouse on real families and communities.
A proud alumnus, Crump graduated from Florida State University and received his law degree from FSU College of Law, fueling his enduring commitment to his roots and the pursuit of equality for all.
Please sign in to see contact details.
Leave a Reply