Napier-Looby Mourns the Loss of Lifetime Member, Hon. Richard Dinkins
Nashville, Tennessee – Monday, October 2nd, 2023 – The Napier-Looby Bar Association, an affiliate of the National Bar Association and Tennessee Alliance for Black Lawyers, with great sadness, announces the loss of the Honorable Richard H. Dinkins, former Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge and Napier-Looby lifetime member.
Judge Dinkins was well known for being a champion for Civil Rights. He began his legacy working alongside Senator Avon Williams, serving as the lead attorney on many prominent Civil Rights cases, such as the Nashville school desegregation cases. Judge Dinkins began his judiciary career as a Chancellor in Davidson County in 2003. In 2008, he was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, where he retired in 2022.
Judge Dinkins received countless awards and honors for his commitment to Civil Rights, service to the community, and leadership. He played a role in a major milestone for most young Black attorneys like myself, by administering the oath to new attorneys during their swearing in ceremonies. He often shared the story of finally having his name etched in stone at the Tennessee Supreme Court building, while humbly explaining his honor of serving on the Tennessee Court of Appeals. May his memory and legacy be forever etched in our hearts.
Napier-Looby extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Judge Dinkins. While we mourn this tremendous loss, let us be reminded of Judge Dinkins’ legacy through Civil Rights, his service to the Black community, and his influence that will continue on through the generations to come.
Forever honoring his legacy,
Chicoya Smith Gallman
Napier-Looby Bar Association, President
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