However, its performance prompted some African American lawyers to avoid the event.

In addition to various celebrities, many African American lawyers, doctors, educators and businessmen call the well-known area home.

Banks in my community were granting lawyers signature lines of credit, but would not lend to me as an African American lawyer.

Best, an African Canadian lawyer and community activist, was born in Jamaica.

Some went into the courtroom to take in the unusual sight of African American lawyers arguing a case.

He said he suspects the reason for the policy may be an effort to hire more African lawyers on the court.

"If you really want to get good African lawyers in there, it can be done without using the sledgehammer," he said.

That line was ultimately excised at the advice of the South African lawyer.

He was curious about his father's involvement with the African lawyer, however.

She remained the only African American female lawyer in Iowa until 1950.