Written by John Finn 330-263-2145 Email Story | Print Story

September 24, 2003

Edward L. Gilbert

WOOSTER, Ohio - Edward L. Gilbert, the attorney who helped to negotiate a record $750,000 settlement for the wrongful imprisonment of Jimmy "Spunk" Williams earlier this week, will present "Racial Profiling" on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at The College of Wooster. Gilbert's address, the first of three Black Studies Seminars sponsored by Department of Black Studies this fall, begins at 11 a.m. in Room 119 of Lowry Center (1189 Beall Ave.). The event is free and open to the public.

Gilbert, a partner in Slater, Zurz & Gilbert, is a member of Wooster's class of 1973. He has tried an average of 12 cases per year on civil rights litigation, including such issues as police misconduct, racial discrimination by private organizations, gender discrimination, and violations of the rights of the disabled. Prior to becoming a partner in Slater, Zurz & Gilbert, he spent 14 years in private practice, where he also specialized in civil rights litigation. Before that, he was with the firm of Parms, Purnell, Stubbs & Gilbert for nine years. He also served as assistant prosecutor in Summit County in 1980-1982. In addition, he was a special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General, former president of the Akron Barrister's Association, and a former board member of the Akron Urban League and Community Center.

Gilbert, who earned his law degree at the University of Akron, is a lifetime member of the NAACP in Akron, Alliance, Canton, Massillon and Portage County. His honors include the NAACP National Outstanding Corporate Membership Award, the Al Kaf Shrine Temple Outstanding Noble of the Year Award, and the Black Law Enforcement Officers Association Criminal Justice Award.

As an undergraduate at Wooster, Gilbert majored in economics and minored in speech. He was a member of the Scot football team and an officer with the Black Student Union. He also received the Schwartz Award for general excellence in college work.

The second Black Studies Seminar will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The Honorable Solomon Oliver, Jr., from Wooster's Class of 1968 and a U.S. Federal District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, will examine the implications of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action.

For more information about the Black Studies Seminars, call 330-263-2044.