David D. White Event to Honor Professor Floyd Weatherspoon and Raise Scholarship Funds for Minority Law Students

March 9, 2009

The 20th Annual David D. White Award & Scholarship Reception set for Mon., March 16, 2009, will honor New Albany, Ohio, resident Floyd D. Weatherspoon, professor of law and director of Minority ADR Initiatives at Capital University Law School, for his contributions to the African American community. The event, sponsored by the Capital University Law School African American Law Alumni Association, is hosted by Crabbe, Brown & James LLP, and will be held at their law offices on 500 S. Front St., Suite 1200, Columbus, Ohio 43215, from 5 – 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, $40 of which is tax deductible. Proceeds from the event support the David D. White Scholarship Endowment for African American students at Capital University Law School.

For 20 years, the Capital University Law School African American Law Alumni Association has presented the David D White Award to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the African American community. The award and scholarship memorializes the outstanding accomplishments of the Law School’s first African American graduate, David D. White, in 1931. Mr. White was the first African American attorney licensed to practice in Columbus, Ohio, where he practiced for more than 57 years as a partner in the firm of Bell, White and Ross. He was a member of the Columbus Bar Association Board of Governors, the Ohio Public Defender Commission, the Ohio State Bar Association's Council of Delegates and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Mr. White passed away in 1992.

This year’s award recipient, Floyd D. Weatherspoon, is nationally recognized as a leading researcher on the status of African American males and the legal system. He is also widely known for his expertise in the dispute resolution area, where he serves as a mediator and arbitrator in complex litigation cases.

In 1992, Weatherspoon developed and taught the first course at an American law school on African American males and the law. The course examines legal issues facing African American males in employment, education, health and the justice system, and led to the publication of his book, African American Males and the Law: Cases and Materials. His expertise was sought by the Ohio Commission on African American Males, where he served as commissioner and vice-chairman.

Due to the success he has had in the field of ADR, Weatherspoon desired to increase opportunities for other minority professionals in the field. Since 2002, he has organized national trainings to bring more minorities into the dispute resolution area. His leadership has drawn national attention to the critical need to increase the presence of minority professionals at all levels and in all areas of ADR. In 2005, he received the “ Keys to Access” award, presented by the Consortium For Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education in Eugene, Oregon.

A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and Howard Law School, Weatherspoon serves as a mentor to his current and former law students, has served as advisor to the Black Law Students Association, helps in the recruitment of African American students to the Law School, and serves as the coach and advisor to the Frederick Douglas and Labor and Employment Law moot court teams. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio recognized him with a Richard Award for his time, energy and dedication as a big brother volunteer.

Past David D. White Award recipients include Janet E. Jackson, Yvette McGee Brown, Hon. Algenon L. Marbley, Patsy A. Thomas, and Mayor Michael B. Coleman. For more information or to register for the annual event, contact Capital University Law School Office of Alumni Relations at (614) 236-6601, e-mail alumni@law.capital.edu, or visit http://www.law.capital.edu/Alumni/Chapters/DDWawardReception.asp.