Press release from Harris County:
February 10, 2021
The Harris County Commissioners Court passed an order tabled by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, under the direction of Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, to rename the Harris County Law Library in honor of Robert W. Hainsworth.
In 1951, Mr. Hainsworth filed a lawsuit against the “one-table rule,” a rule of the Law Library that requires African American attorneys to use a single, designated table while working in the library. While the courts denied his demand for equality, it is only appropriate that the law library be rededicated to recognize the victory of his vision. Today’s law library is a place where everyone can sit down at a table.
“Mr. Hainsworth’s determination to fight for equality is an inspiration to all of us, especially the lawyers and litigants who so often use the legal library,” said District Attorney Menefee. “He was a trailblazer. His work on this case, and later founding of the Houston Lawyers Association, shows that he was adamant.”
“I am very proud to support the rebranding of the Harris County Law Library to Robert W. Hainsworth, especially during Black History Month,” said County Commissioner Ellis. “Hainsworth’s struggle to desegregate the courthouse and legal library paved the way for generations after him. It is only fitting that we name our legal library in his honor, which is helping to make the legal system more accessible to all.”
“We are planning projects with community partners to create permanent library exhibits and offer educational programs to raise awareness of Robert W. Hainsworth and his work for equality in Harris County,” said Mariann Sears, director of the Law Library .
Today’s Law Library inauguration has received broad support from local executives and legal organizations at the Commissioners Court, including the Houston Lawyers Association (HLA), Houston Young Lawyers Association, Houston Area Law Librarians, Houston Bar Association (HBA), and HLA President RJ Blue, HBA President Bill Kroger, and several former HLA leaders.
This news release was produced by Harris County Way. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
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