and one of the founders of the association. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1896, and elected a county commissioner in 1896. He was the first black to hold a position in the office of Secretary of State; first black to serve as special attorney for the City of Chicago; first black appointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission. First black elected 2nd ward committeeman, replacing Cong. Martin Madden. 1919: Henry M. Porter, an assistant state's attorney served a one-year term as president. Porter, a migrant from Augusta, Ga., officed at 720 West 12st Street, and was an incorporator of the Bar. A few months after his term as president began, the 1919 riots broke out. For a week, sporadic acts of violence flared in black and white areas of the south side. 19 The State's Attorney and the Judges of the Criminal Court requested the CCBA to appoint some of its members to appear and defend blacks charged with crimes during the riot. The CCBA members selected to appear on behalf of the charged succeeded in gaining acquittals for many innocent blacks, and also collected damages in civil actions for injury to persons and property. In 1921, Porter was assigned to the Harrison Street Police Court. Porter was slated as a candidate for judge of the Municipal Court, but he did not win election. 1920: James A. Terry, an assistant state's attorney, served a one-year term. During his term as CCBA President, Terry forged relationships with bar associations in the Seventh Judicial District, attended joint meetings and conferred on issues of common interest. Other officers were: James G. Cotter, 1st Vice President; M. L. Barclay, 2nd Vice President; William Baker, 3rd Vice President; William L. Offord, Secretary; O. A. Clark, Treasurer 1920–1926: Violette Neatley Anderson was vice president from 1920–1926. During her time as vice president she successfully defended a woman who was accused of murdering her husband. As a result of her success, Anderson was appointed to serve as assistant prosecutor in Chicago. Anderson was the first woman and the first African-American appointed to the post. 1921–22: Richard E. Westbrooks, a 1910 graduate of John Marshall Law School, was a founder of the association. He was counsel to the Chicago Defender, and a renowned trial lawyer. During the investigation of the 1919 riots, Westbrooks was appointed a special assistant state's attorney to assist in collecting of evidence