Judge Richard Dinkins

Judge Richard Dinkins began his legal career in 1977 working with the legendary civil rights attorney, Senator Avon Williams, Jr., in the private law firm that would become Williams and Dinkins. During his two decades at that firm, he served as a cooperating attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in numerous civil rights cases and handled the legal affairs of Fisk University and many other respected individuals and institutions. As lead attorney for the plaintiffs during the last decade of the historic Kelley school desegregation case, he improved equity and opportunity for a generation of Nashville school children. He was a judge in the Chancery Court for Davidson County from 2003-2008 and has served on the Tennessee Court of Appeals since 2008. Judge Dinkins has received numerous awards for his devotion to justice and service to the community.

Judge Dinkins made it possible for TJC to open its doors 25 years ago. When he learned of the effort to launch TJC and that we had no home, he invited us to share part of Williams and Dinkins offices for nominal rent. During those lonely early years when a vulnerable TJC was struggling to get off the ground, his generosity provided not just an office but validation, moral support, camaraderie, and the opportunity to share space with inspiring colleagues. TJC and its clients will always be indebted to Judge Dinkins for extending us a crucial helping hand.