Celebrating Black History Month provides the opportunity to highlight some of New York Law School’s  most distinguished Black alumni. This week, we honor James S. Watson, class of 1913, and his daughter Barbara M. Watson, class of 1962. In 1930, the senior Watson became one of the first two elected Black judges In New York City, serving 20 years in the New York City Municipal Court. Thirty-eight years later, his daughter Barbara became the first African American and the first woman to serve as Assistant Secretary of State, for then President Lyndon B. Johnson.

More information relating to these and many other prominent alumni can be found in the Law School’s Digital Commons.