Distinguished Leader: Jason Clark

What are some of your proudest recent achievements?

As president of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, my proudest moment has been proving that an association of predominantly Black attorneys can play a meaningful role in reducing inequities in our justice system.  We hosted an unprecedented amount of programming, and last August, we were recognized as “Outstanding Affiliate of the Year” by the National Bar Association.  Below are some of our highlights:

MBBA’s Judicial Training Academy: The MBBA’s Judicial Training Academy is a five-month training program aimed at improving diversity on the bench.  Over 30 New York judges participated as panelists and/or participant-mentors.  The program consisted of a series of curated workshops addressing career trajectory, personal narrative, and the nuts and bolts of running successful campaigns.

Raising the Bar with the MBBA: RTB is a weekly television show aired on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network.  Since February 2019, we have taped over 45 episodes on topics such as predatory lending, worker rights, police misconduct, and prison reform.  The purpose of RTB is to identify inequities in our society and propose solutions.  It also gives MBBA members an opportunity to showcase their legal expertise.

Legislative Testimony: Over the last year, we have submitted oral and written testimony on multiple justice issues before the NYC Council as well as the NYS Senate and Assembly.  For example, earlier this year we testified at a NYS Senate and Assembly Joint Public Hearing about the unintended consequences of the state’s Court Restructuring Proposal.  We offered recommendations on how to fix them.

Voter Registration: During Black History Month, the MBBA organized a host of events such as our Celebration of Black Judges Event at the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse.  However, my proudest was our Citywide Voter Registration event.  For one day, we adopted eight high schools throughout the city and successfully registered (and pre-registered) over 700 students to vote.

In addition to the achievements above, I am honored to have been selected as one of just 12 Black attorneys included on City & State’s Power Law 100 list.  

Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired you.

Letitia James is someone who has inspired me to lead.  As the first elected African American Attorney General for the State of New York, she had to overcome more institutional barriers to success than any previous Attorney General.  As an assistant attorney general, I have the privilege of learning from her example every day.  Her judgment, tenacity, and moral compass are emblematic of what motivated me to join the AG’s Office.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention my longtime mentor, Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Alvin M. Yearwood.  Judge Yearwood was the board chair when I first became active with the MBBA.  He taught me that bar associations can be more than just opportunities for professional development.  Judge Yearwood instilled within me a sense of purpose and pride as a Black attorney that I will always be grateful for.

How are the business and profession of law changing and how should lawyers adapt for the future?

This year, NYS Chief Judge Janet DiFiore’s Presumptive Alternative Dispute Resolution Program went into effect.  The purpose is to provide civil litigants with an avenue for resolving legal matters in an efficient and less costly manner.  Lawyers (and law schools) need to adapt by putting a greater emphasis on teaching mediation skills.  The MBBA created an ADR Taskforce to teach attorneys about the mediation certification process.  We were also organizing a free training program before the coronavirus forced us to cancel.

What is the best advice for someone considering a career in law, or someone already in the profession who is seeking to make a greater impact?

Too often, the law has been used to exploit women, minorities, and anyone who is different.  Become a lawyer not just because you want to be an advocate, but because you want to be an advocate for justice.