Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump to Speak at San Diego’s Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation Gala on November 1st

Crump arrives at the Shades of Mass conference in Los Angeles, CA September 2025. Photo taken by @raygotskillz.

This marks Ben Crump’s first time headlining an event in San Diego since 2018. His return to the city carries added significance—Crump last visited to speak at an event in 2018 hosted by community advocate Shane Harris, a longtime ally in the fight for civil rights. The reunion underscores the deep, ongoing connection between national and local movements for justice, making Crump’s keynote at the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation Gala a particularly meaningful moment for San Diego’s legal and civic communities.

San Diego, CA — The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation (EBGBF) will welcome nationally recognized civil rights attorney Ben Crump on Saturday November 1,2025 as keynote speaker at its annual Scholarship & Awards Gala. The gala—one of San Diego’s signature legal-community gatherings—celebrates Black legal excellence, invests in future attorneys through scholarships, and honors leaders whose service strengthens justice across the region.

For nearly five decades, the Foundation has advanced representation in the legal profession and helped diversify San Diego’s pipeline of lawyers through scholarships, mentorship, and community engagement. Its mission centers on supporting Black law students and practitioners and promoting equitable access to justice—work the gala directly funds each year.

Crump’s keynote comes at a moment when the intersection of law, community trust, and accountability remains top of mind. Known widely as the “Attorney General of Black America,” Crump has represented families in high-profile civil rights cases and secured landmark settlements that shaped national conversations on policing and public safety. His team helped obtain a $27 million civil settlement for the family of George Floyd and a $12 million settlement in the case of Breonna Taylor; he also led litigation resulting in a $45 million settlement for Randy Cox, who was paralyzed in police custody in New Haven, Connecticut.

While the gala is a celebratory evening, its purpose is practical and urgent: to reduce financial barriers for Black law students and ensure they have the resources and mentorship to thrive in law school and beyond. In recent years, San Diego law students have been recognized at the gala for their academic achievement and commitment to public service—recognition that underscores the event’s role in nurturing future advocates for justice.

The Foundation’s broader work complements the efforts of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association. Together, the two organizations advance legal advocacy, civic engagement, and professional development for San Diego’s Black legal community—distinct entities aligned in purpose and often collaborating on initiatives that benefit students, attorneys, and the wider public.

Crump’s practice spans civil rights, environmental justice, and complex injury cases, but his influence extends beyond the courtroom. His advocacy has helped catalyze policy reviews, corporate reforms, and community education nationwide. Bringing that perspective to San Diego’s gala connects local scholarship and service to a national movement for fairness and accountability—an especially resonant message for a foundation dedicated to “students who are deeply rooted in service, excellence, and justice.”

The gala’s proceeds directly fund scholarships and community programming, making each ticket or sponsorship a concrete investment in San Diego’s next generation of legal leaders. Organizers anticipate strong interest in this year’s program, and attendees can expect an inspiring evening that combines recognition, reflection, and a renewed call to justice.