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AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES APPOINTS FIRST EVER AFRICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Charleston, SC -- Luther J. Battiste, III has been installed as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates at the organization's National Board Meeting at the Hotel Bennett. Mr. Battiste, a founding shareholder of Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P.A., took the oath of office from retired Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal of the Supreme Court of South Carolina.
Mr. Battiste is the first African-American to serve as National President. He also made history in 1983 by becoming one of the first two African-Americans elected to Columbia City Council since Reconstruction.
He served 15 years as a member of the Columbia City Council, including two terms as Mayor Pro Tempore. In 1998, the City of Columbia dedicated to Luther J. Battiste, III the Monument and Plaza in honor of his dedicated service as a public servant.
