A Conversation with the Honorable Earnestine Hunt Dorse Retired But Her Legacy Lives On …

A Conversation with the Honorable Earnestine Hunt DorseRetired But Her Legacy Lives On …

HARRISON D. MCIVER III, Interviewer

Judge Earnestine Hunt Dorse and I met soon after my arrival to assume the leadership of Memphis Area Legal Services. For more than twenty years I have had the pleasure to know and observe her in action. Professionally, we along with then City Prosecutor, the late Teresa Jones, met several times to discuss, how the City’s anti-discrimination ordinance would be implemented. I also observed her in the context of her work as a leader in the National Bar Association Judicial Council. Over the years Judge Dorse, her husband Fred, my wife Lauryce, and I enjoyed showcasing our dancing prowess at various events. She left a positive imprint on this community and beyond. I am proud to call her a friend.

Now, let’s hear from Judge Dorse:

HDM: Judge Dorse, you have had a very long and impressive career, but not many of the readers know very much about you before your legal career began. Please share a little about where you are from, family, educational background, and your career before pursuing the law. Additionally, what makes you the unique person you are, and what are some of the guiding and foundational principles that shaped your life?

Judge Dorse: I am a native Memphian born and raised in Orange Mound, Tennessee. My father, Mr. William Ernest Hunt, after whom I was named, was a construction worker and chauffeur. My mother, Mrs. Jennie Hunt, was a housewife. I am the fourth of six siblings. My older brother and two sisters are deceased. I am married to Fred O. Dorse, a retired businessman, and we have seven children, five grandsons and two greatgrandchildren. I attended Melrose High School, graduated cum laude from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) and from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at Memphis State University (now University of Memphis). I also was an exchange student at Dag Hammarskjold College and studied in five foreign countries: Switzerland; Austria; France; Sweden; and Germany.

I taught in the Memphis City School system, served as a research associate at the Memphis Urban League and Memphis State University and later worked as a paralegal while pursuing my legal career. I have been a seamstress since the age of nine and have designed clothes and jewelry since the age of 12.

I know my uniqueness comes from my faith in God, my fellow man and myself. I believe in these foundational principles to guide me in my life: 1. A little will becomes much when you place it in the master’s hand. 2. A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits. 3. The race is not given to the swift or the strong, but the one who endured to the end. 4. Never let anyone define you.

HDM: You attended Clark College, an HBCU. What impact did it have on your life and career trajectory?

Judge Dorse: I was fortunate to attend Clark College with a very, very strong foundation rooted in education

and community pride that was instilled in me as a student of Melrose High School and growing up in Orange Mound. Clark College only continued to nourish that foundation.

HDM: Who or what circumstances inspired you to choose the law and to attend law school? Who are/were your mentors who influenced your decision?

Judge Dorse: I was in the 10th grade when I led the student body out of school to support the local sanitation strike and to join Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s march in downtown Memphis. I was a charter member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Choir and sang with the choir during Dr. King’s last speech at Mason Temple in Memphis and at his funeral. My sister, Mary Hunt, is the young lady who is pictured standing on the balcony pointing out the direction from which the assailant’s bullet was fired, killing Dr. King. These events inspired me to complete my education and to attend an HBCU. However, I was also inspired to pursue law as a career when I witnessed my parents’ mortgage company trying to take our home based on their errors. My parents did not have the money to hire an attorney and finally went to legal services for help. I knew then that I wanted to become a lawyer to help people like my parents. I was blessed to have been raised in a village with many mentors and individuals with inspirational life stories. Heroes and sheroes like my father, Bishop E. Lynn Brown, Judge Bernice Donald, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Justice Thurgood Marshall, helped form who I am today.

HDM: Please describe your first legal job and your experience as an African-American woman. How many women generally and black women, in particular, held attorney positions?

Judge Dorse: My first legal jobs were law clerk positions for great women lawyers- Dorothy Graham and Associates, the Law Firm of Evans, Willis, Stotts and Kyles; and Memphis Area Legal Services. I first practiced law with Perkins (Sam), Hana and Associates. I worked in the office with Judge Jerry Stokes, Judge D’Army Bailey and Walter Bailey, and the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office. Early on I was a paralegal with Holiday Inn, Inc. and a large Chicago firm, Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal.

HDM: What were the circumstances surrounding your joining the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office?

Judge Dorse: I never wanted to practice criminal law and was subsequently offered a job as an assistant public defender. In order to do that work, I looked at the need and how to reconcile my thoughts about the system by knowing my job would be to make sure the state did its job.

HDM: How long did you serve, under whom did you serve, and what did you enjoy most about your time in that position? What are the unique challenges public defenders face?

Judge Dorse: I joined the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office, under former City Mayor-Attorney AC Wharton, in 1986 and served in that position until December 10, 1990. It was then, I was elected as Memphis’ first African American female judge and only the second African American female judge in the State of Tennessee. I had the pleasure of practicing law with now Judge Lois Lambert Ryan, Judge Carolyn Watkins, the late Judge Teresa Jones, Judge Tarik Sugarmon, Judge Gwen Rooks, Judge Betty Thomas Moore, and attorney Robert Jones, just to name a few.

We were a great group of attorneys from all backgrounds with two common goals – making sure every citizen entering the criminal justice system had their day in court and making the State prove its cases. However,

Fred O. Dorse stands by his wife’s side during the swearing-in ceremony.

public defenders have many challenges, like poor public perception, lack of support staff (investigators), caseloads and funds to hire expert support. I think and feel that public defenders are the experts. They know the judges, the law and they do the same thing daily, while private practitioners go to court from time to time.

HDM: Who or what were the circumstances that persuaded you to apply for Memphis city judge? What are the qualities that a judge should possess? What did you enjoy most as a judge? What were the challenges?

Judge Dorse: First, let me say that my first love was to be a juvenile court judge and to take on the Juvenile Court’s unfair, unequal, and outdated system (at that time). However, that subject is another interview by itself. I felt that I had the desire, life experience and compassion to be a juvenile court judge, but I did not have the legal experience, name recognition and voting base to unseat the legendary Judge Kenneth Turner. That’s when I, along with my political consultant Fred Dorse, mapped out an eight-year plan to accomplish my goal to become a juvenile court judge. The first step was to run for Circuit Court Judge in 1990. I came in second to now Justice Janice Holder out of a field of approximately six candidates.

During that election year, City Court Judge Kay Robilio won a seat on the circuit court bench thus creating a vacancy on the city court. Mr. Dorse then advised me to take advantage of my showing in the circuit court race, developing name recognition and establishing a voting base by running for the vacant seat. I won, after a hard campaign, in the last citywide runoff race in 1990.

I think that the best qualities for a judge are commitment to the rule of law, respect for mankind and

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judicial temperament. I most enjoyed being a role model CLASS 401 WILDWOOD FARM SCHOOLING JUMPER 1.0m (II) for young girls and teaching the community and those appearing before me about the law. In addition, I wanted CLASS 404 to make sure that each citizen who left my courtroom felt that he or she had their day in court regardless of my FEDEX LOW CHILDREN’S/AMATEUR ADULT JUMPER 1.0m (II, 2b) CLASS 407 ruling and was treated with respect.BILLY & STEFANIE GILL $250 CHILDREN’S JUMPER 1.10m (II, 2b) I faced many challenges as the first African American CLASS 410 female judge in the city court: HARRIET MCFADDEN $250 ADULT AMATEUR JUMPER 1.10m (II, 2b) CLASS 429 GENEVA ADAMS 1. Demanding and earning respect from a few white 5 YR. OLD YOUNG JUMPERS - 1.10M (II) male attorneys that practiced before me. CLASS 413 D&D MANUFACTURING 2. Encouraging prosecutors to show a degree of $500 MODIFIED JUMPERS 1.20m (II, 2b) compassion when necessary. I have a saying that CLASS 432 GERMANTOWN COMMISSARY I use when speaking to the public: People come

$500 6 YR. OLD YOUNG JUMPERS - 1.20M (II, 2b) Elected City Court Judge On December 10, 1990, Dorse (left) was sworn in by Judge Bernice Donald.

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to court seeking justice but really want mercy. No human can stand pure justice! 3. Protecting the integrity of the court system while being a branch of the city administration. 4. Creating penalties “outside of the box” that will help citizens to maintain their jobs and future job opportunities.

HDM: I understand that you had a close friendship with your successor, the late Judge Teresa Jones. Please share your thoughts and memories about Judge Jones. I also understand that you are friends with the newly appointed City Judge, Carolyn Watkins. What advice would you give her?

Judge Dorse: Judge Teresa Jones was the city prosecutor that walked with a big stick and had a heart of gold. She possessed a great knowledge of the law which she displayed in the courtroom, both as a lawyer and judge, and as a commissioner on the Shelby County School Board. Judge Jones was a great tennis player, traveling and shopping companion. She was the treasurer of our Memphis In May cooking team and made sure we stayed financially sound, even if it meant we couldn’t purchase what we desired. She spoiled my husband and grandson with her pound cake and lemon pie! She was a friend that let you know where she stood, whether in front of you, behind you, or by your side. I am blessed to have had Judge Teresa Jones as a colleague and friend for more than 35 years.

I am also friends with Judge Carolyn Watkins. The three of us, including Judge Jones, were co-workers in the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office, Memphis in May team members, and National Bar Association loyalists. Judge Watkins has helped me with many of my social, community and professional achievements. I am truly proud that I was able to pass on the baton to Judge Teresa Jones and now Judge Carolyn Watkins to carry on judicial excellence in City Court Division. 1. My advice to Judge Watkins is to never forget from whence you came. 2. Leave the robe at the office but remember that you are required to wear the title of judge 24/7. 3. Always respect the citizens that come before you and the voters. And never, never impugn the integrity of the courts.

HDM: I have on occasion visited the Walter Bailey Courthouse a/k/a 201 Poplar. There were always long lines, sometimes out of the door and looping around the block, to attend various courts housed there. What changes, if any, were or should be undertaken to address the large crowds?

Judge Dorse: Move city courts to another building with adequate parking. I failed in my many efforts, as the administrative judge, to move the city court out of 201 Poplar Avenue. We explored the old city jail at Second and Adams, the Police Building at Poplar Avenue and Fourth Street, and one shopping center.

HDM: Judge Dorse, you have been very involved with the Ben F. Jones Chapter and the National Bar Association for many years. Please share your leadership roles and activities therein.

Judge Dorse: I have been a member of both organizations for over thirty years. It was the Ben F. Jones organization efforts that led to many African American lawyers being elected to judgeship. I led the effort to start the now defunct golf tournament that established the Rosedale Pearson Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was named after a young Mid-South Junior Golf Association golfer who died of Sickle Cell disease. I was proud of the scholarships that were awarded and the support of the Pearson Family.

My three high points as a member of the National Bar Association were: 1. Bringing the annual NBA Convention to Memphis for the first time in 1998 grossing the city an amount estimated to more than $8 million dollars and national recognition due to the participation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. 2. Being elected as Chair of the 2003-2004 National Bar Association Judicial Council. The Judicial Council represents judges in four countries and a territory: United Kingdom, Africa, Canada, the United States, and the Virgin Islands. 3. I am working and supporting the Ben F. Jones Chapter in bringing the National Bar Association Convention back to Memphis in 2022 for the second time.

HDM: We have seen the advent of COVID-19, its impact on people of color, and heightened racism in this country. What are your thoughts?

Judge Dorse: COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the African American community. It has caused the closing of many small businesses that will not be able to reopen. It has driven African American unemployment into double digits and eliminated many jobs that will never be filled. It has set our school age young people back one year. It has caused increases in domestic violence, suicides, and mental health problems. And most sadly, it has had a tremendous impact on the deaths of many loved ones.

Witnessing the heightened racism in our country over the last six years has taken a toll on me personally. I was a civil rights activist during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. I have experienced racism personally during my college and professional years. I have also experienced and seen many gains from our efforts only to see blatant acts of racism destroying them. Approximately 339 voting rights pieces of legislation have been introduced in 47 states by Republicans, all to suppress our vote. Witnessing the increase of white policemen killing African Americans, which I strongly believe starts with the hiring of racist individuals, and the racist culture that have been brewing within the police and military organizations. I am also saddened by our elected and appointed officials and the outright racist leadership. I have learned that you can’t always change people's hearts, but you can change racist acts and laws with your vote.

HDM: What were your proudest and most significant accomplishments, memories, and experiences you would like to share about your distinguished career?

Judge Dorse: Many of my proudest and most significant accomplishments, memories and experiences have been mentioned in my answers to the other questions. I will only add that I am really proud that I supported and helped pave the way for many African American female judges that followed me to the bench in Memphis and Shelby County.

HDM: Now retired, how are you spending your time?

Judge Dorse: Retirement has been a real challenge for me. I have used my retirement freedom to expand my custom jewelry business that I started as a hobby. I have also joined the board of the Willow Inc., a nonprofit organization working with women and home schooling my grandchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have also started back playing golf one day a week with a few ladies and look forward to playing golf with my husband in the nine states left on his bucket list to complete all 50 states plus DC.

HDM: Do you have any concluding remarks, thoughts, etc.?

Judge Dorse: I pray that my life and public service have been a blessing to the City of Memphis, State of Tennessee, and the many people that I have had the privilege of meeting and working with over the world. Live your best life under your current circumstances. Be blessed and a blessing.

HDM: Thank you Judge Dorse - continue to be a blessing to us all! 

Harrison D. McIver III is CEO Emeritus of Memphis Area Legal Services and an advocate for justice for more than forty years.