D. Augustus Straker Bar Association

D. AUGUSTUS STRAKER BAR ASSOCIATION

History and Mission

The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association was formed October 4, 1990, as a special purpose bar association recognized by the State Bar of Michigan. It was founded as a proactive organization of diverse attorneys, with a mission of promoting legal practice opportunities for minorities and women and to facilitate equal justice for all citizens in Oakland County. Membership includes a racially diverse coalition of lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals.

The mission of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association is to increase minority representation in the legal profession, support and encourage legal practice opportunities for minorities, and facilitate equal justice for underserved members of the Oakland County community.

Annual Programs & Projects

The Straker Bar Association fulfills its mission through providing a variety of activities and opportunities for its members and the Oakland County community as follows:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Oral Advocacy	Trailblazers Dinner	Corporate Counsel Breakfast	Annual Golf Outing (Fundraiser)
A competition to promote the written and oral communication skills of high school juniors and seniors. Goals • To mentor youth • To provide monetary awards to high school juniors and seniors in support of their educational goals	Recognition is given to outstanding individuals who are pioneers in the legal community. Goals • To celebrate noteworthy contribution and accomplishment • Scholarships are awarded to law students based on established criteria.	Minority and women attorneys interact with corporations and corporate counsel. Goals • To promote business opportunities • To facilitate the opportunity for greater diversity in corporate staff positions	Annual fundraiser benefiting Straker Bar Association programs and the Straker Foundation. Goals • Primary fundraiser • To promote relationships between the legal and business communities
The Straker Foundation	Membership Round-Up and Holiday Party	Law Student Reception
A non-profit corporation established for charitable and jurisprudential purposes and to provide a source of educational scholarships. Goal • To provide financial resources to the community	Social functions to enhance networking opportunities for members and supporters. Goals • To maintain and increase membership • To facilitate legal practice opportunities	Provide networking opportunity for minority and women law students attending local law schools. Goal • To mentor minority and women law students