MEET Jimmie C. Herring, Jr.

I decided to attend Southern University and A&M College because of their interest in pursuing me for their studies. I was blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Delores Margaret Richard Spikes Honors College to study political science as one of their scholar students. As a member of the Honors College, I was challenged academically in my courses and studies, in which I graduated as the top student in my class with honors in the Southern University Department of Political Science. As someone who grew up with an interest in politics and government, Southern University has a rich history and great reputation in producing educators, leaders, and changemakers in politics, government, and law. I am thankful for my professors for taking the time to provide mentorship, guidance, and foundation for my career. These are the reasons why I decided to attend Southern University and A&M College. I then decided to attend Southern University Law Center (SULC) for my legal education. I decided to attend SULC for law school because of the prominent alumni from across the country who work in various areas of law. Many of our prominent attorneys, judges, and state legislators in Louisiana are alums of SULC. I was blessed with the opportunity to be educated by our very personable chancellor and great professors who were demanding but provided great mentorship and guidance to become a lawyer-leader and professional. I was also thankful to be involved and awarded various achievements such as being an Associate Editor on the Southern University Law Review, a Competitiveness Scholar for the White House’s Initiative for HBCUs, a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute Scholar, and many other opportunities. Attending SULC was one of the best decisions I made to pursue my legal education.

During my time attending Southern University and A&M College and Southern University Law Center, I learned how law and politics play a part in the everyday lives of black people. Specifically in Louisiana, there were many laws and policies on the books that negatively impacted black and African American people economically, socially, and in the criminal justice system. My undergraduate and law school professors who actively worked in politics and practiced law in various areas equipped me with the skills and tools necessary to advocate on behalf of others to make changes and differences that empower black people. As a black attorney who makes up five percent of the legal profession as a whole, I realize that I have a special challenge and task to use my experiences and knowledge to practice law in and effective manner even considering the barriers placed before blacks and African Americans. My time attending an HBCU for undergrad and law school prepared me to walk into different rooms and opportunities to be the best at my craft.

One of my influences for deciding to pledge Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was my father who is also a Man of Sigma. He pledged at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in Spring 1978 and was a charter member of the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I decided to continue the legacy of joining Sigma when I attended Southern University and A&M College. I pledged in Spring 2012 through the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. My younger brother also subsequently pledged in Spring 2013 as well through the Rho Chapter. When I attended Southern University for my undergraduate studies, I was blessed with the opportunity to meet the brothers of Sigma on campus. I was very impressed and drawn to how tight knit they were as a brotherhood, how they connected with different people on campus in a positive manner, as well as their service activities and endeavors on campus. After meeting with some of the brothers, they were very personable, down to earth, and made me feel welcome. I knew then that Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was the brotherhood for me. It was one of the best decisions that I had ever made in my life. As I began to study and learn more about the fraternity, I was also impressed with how Men of Sigma were very influential in different fields and areas. I began to learn how many Sigma men were prominent in areas of law, government, business, and politics in the past and present. As someone who is interested in law, government, and politics, Sigma has been very influential in my career goals and aspirations. I have continued to remain financially active and dedicated in my different services activities. I plan to stay a committed, dedicated, and lifelong member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. “Our Cause Speeds on Its Way.”

Attending an HBCU for both my undergraduate and law school studies was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was able to meet and connect with different people from all different backgrounds and walks of life and make very meaningful connections and friendships. I have a network of colleagues from my undergraduate years and a network of attorneys from law school, both local and national, that I can lean on for support and guidance. I am very thankful for attending Southern University and A&M College and Southern University Law Center for my education.

1. I have developed a successful legal career so far as a young attorney. I am a licensed attorney in the state of Louisiana. I currently serve as Permanent Attorney Advisor for the federal government for the Executive Office for Immigration Review analyzing and researching complex immigration legal issues. I entered through the prestigious United States Department of Justice’s Attorney General’s Honors Program. I will subsequently serve as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk for a federal district court judge in the Western District of Louisiana analyzing and researching various federal criminal and civil legal issues. 2. I have been recognized and awarded for my work as an attorney by several bar associations and organizations for my achievements. Some of my awards include being recognized by the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division as a Top 40 Young Lawyer in Louisiana, the National Black Lawyers has recognized me as a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer in Louisiana, I was recognized by the National Bar Association as a 2022 Power 100 Honoree. Additionally, I was recognized by the Southern University Alumni Federation as a Top Forty Under 40 Cohort Trois Awards Recipient. 3. I have been recognized and highlighted by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. on the state, regional, and national levels. I have served on various state committees in Louisiana, committees in the Gulf Coast Region, and currently serve on the Real Estate and International Government Affairs Committees on the national level. I am also a member of the Louisiana Distinguished Service Chapter, an alum of the Sigma Leadership Academy and Emerging Leaders Forum, currently serve as the Louisiana State Director of Social Action and was recognized as the 2022 Alumni of the Year for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in the state of Louisiana.

My advice to a younger member of Sigma is to find your passion and interest in the Fraternity, seek mentorship and guidance from others in your fraternal network, and be willing to be dedicated and disciplined in the pursuit of your goals. I encourage young Sigma brothers to stay connected with the Fraternity, take on different opportunities to grow professionally, and serve others.