Page 17 - LifelineInaugural

at the numbers of those incarcerated, you will easily on his property value.
see who has been convicted more for crack form
of cocaine versus the powder substance. So what “We’ve done a lot of things that are bad for business,
message are we sending? When a black woman is but sometimes it’s not all about business and being
convicted for Medicare fraud for $2,500 and is facing safe. The family of Martin Lee Anderson hired us
10 years imprisonment and a white man is convicted after being turned down from two firms because they
for embezzlement of $25 million and is facing two years considered the case too controversial,” Crump says.
imprisonment, what can you do? I’m not proud that I left Anderson was the teen who was murdered by boot
criminal cases, but civil cases gave me an even shot camp officials. His murder was ruled an accident, but
in the courts. I have a greater chance in court battling the family won a civil suit. “Many firms would have done
BP, State Farm, and big corporations like that versus the same, but causes like this mean a lot to our firm,
getting an equal shot at justice for fellow black men in Crump says. The hiring of numerous Black law clerks,
criminal cases…and that says a lot.” giving ex-convicts a second chance, and the numerous
sponsorships of community service events… none of
it’s good for business, but it’s good for our community
“ WE TRY OUR BEST and we try our best to give back, even if it hurts us to
do so.”
TO GIVE BACK,

EVEN IF IT HURTS As the phone continues to ring, Crump has realized
he has talked beyond his limit. He grows eagerly
US TO DO SO. ”

Although Crump left the criminal law practice, it
doesn’t mean that he’s deserted those who need help.
He’s vocal in his community support. His firm offers
numerous clerk positions for law school students, he’s
hired ex-convicts to work for companies he owns or
have partnerships with, and most notable he donated
one million dollars to North Florida Legal Services.
“In our community we can’t afford to pay the top lawyers
by the hour. I understand that, but I also understand
the needs of those that have been wronged and need
representation,” Crump says. “So that’s why I support
legal services, they take on the cases that most private
lawyers,” can’t take and many of these cases come
from our communities.”
passionate when speaking of equality, civil rights and
Staying visible in the community is a main focus for the uplifting of his community. His secretary tells him
Crump. Although his firm is very successful, he (along that lawyers have arrived from Jacksonville to meet
with Parks) elected to build his home on the southside him. He asks her to spare him one last minute for he
of the city, which is often riddled with neglect. wants to make sure he adds his final comment.
“Sure we could have built our homes in Killearn (the “I speak out a great deal about our (American) laws, but
ritzy part of Tallahassee), but what would that have I want to be very clear. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere
displayed? Sure, our homes would have been worth else in the world. It may not always be fair, but in
more. Sure, our property value has plummeted, but America you get a shot at justice. In some countries
we are staying true to our commitment to serve our you don’t even get that.”
community.”
As long as Benjamin Crump continues to practice law,
Another reason that Crump decided to call the southside one shot is usually all he needs. He just hopes that in
home is because he wanted his property tax dollars the future, as it relates to black men, that it’s more of
to benefit the schools in his community. Crump, being a fair one.
the philanthropist he is, knew he wanted to continue to
donate to the disenfranchised, even if it meant losing

LIFELINE magazine 17