Access to Trailblazers: For More Than 50 Years, Fred Banks Has Kept His Foot on the Gas Pedal, Making the Push for Equality a Constant Priority

Senior Partner Fred Banks has championed the push for equality for more than 50 years. This was his mission when he chose to go to law school, and it’s driven his career in private practice and public service on both the local and national stage. Decades of work in the state legislature, judiciary and as counsel for the NAACP have taught him that this mission is never really over. We need to keep our foot on the gas pedal and stay focused to move diversity and inclusion forward in our society.

Advancing Equality In the Courts and the Capitol

In the ‘60s, Fred and his law partners formed the first interracial law firm in Mississippi history. He focused his legal practice on civil rights lawsuits, criminal defense and helping nonprofits like the Mississippi Association of Educators. Through his work with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, he represented clients in their fight to integrate education systems in Mississippi.

Fred didn’t just use his skills as a lawyer to advance important causes. He was president of the Jackson branch of the NAACP for more than ten years and since 1982, he has served on its National Board of Directors. He also leads the Board’s Legal Committee. He was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives for three terms, chairing the ethics and judiciary committees and the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus. In 1979, then-President Jimmy Carter appointed Fred to the National Advisory Council on the Education of Disadvantaged Children, which improved how federal funds were spent to help students facing barriers to education stay on track in reading and math.

Public service became Fred’s main focus when he joined the bench as a circuit court judge for Mississippi’s 7th Circuit Court District. Six years and two reelections later, Mississippi’s governor appointed him to the state’s Supreme Court, where he presided for 10 years before joining Phelps.

Fred found great support in his friend and law partner, Phelps Senior Partner, Reuben Anderson, who finished law school a year before him. Their long history encompasses much more than just practicing law together. They grew up together and started a firm together. Fred also followed in Reuben’s footsteps in the judiciary, taking Reuben’s seat on the bench when he left the 7th Circuit District, as well as the Mississippi Supreme Court. When Fred joined Reuben at Phelps, he found a community of lawyers with diverse views, which he feels is important to both businesses’ bottom line and lawyers’ development.

Intention is Essential to Promote Diversity

Fred has advised businesses and served on boards of organizations, including Sanderson Farms and the Capital City Convention Center Commission, and his message is always the same—to build a diverse workforce, you need to be open-minded and intentional. Don’t just make diversity and inclusion a goal. Take steps to make it happen through your hiring and recruitment plans. Most importantly, continue to make it a priority. Don’t take your foot off the gas, and constantly push toward progress. Promoting equality is “a constant struggle,” as Fred says, so we must continually work to create an environment that promotes diversity.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Fred speaks humbly about his career and offers this straightforward advice to young lawyers:

• Keep an open mind. Fred stresses the need to stay open to people, especially those with different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Make yourself known and accessible. You need to stay active, accessible and open to opportunities in your profession and your community.
• Continue to be concerned. To keep momentum, it’s important to be aware of what is going on around you and for everyone to recognize and accept our differences.

Fred has focused his career on advocating for equality policies, and he looks forward to seeing how the next generation will keep forging ahead toward a more equitable society.