1908
A Lasting Legacy
Edwin Cicero Brown, Sr., was born July 1, 1908, on an Indian Reservation in Guthrie, Oklahoma. As a young toddler, he crossed the Cimarron River in a covered wagon with his parents as they migrated to Wichita, Kansas where he was raised and attended public school. Interestingly enough he attended an integrated high school where he learned to play the saxophone and clarinet and played in the high school band.
Beginning a Difficult Journey
Upon graduation there was no employment for young black men except cotton picking, so he played his instruments in the streets of Wichita and shined shoes until he earned enough money to buy a used model T Ford. He bought eight spare tires which he placed on the rear of the vehicle and he and several of his music playing buddies traveled across the country to Washington, DC where he entered Howard University. He paid his college tuition by scrubbing floors at the YMCA and ultimately entered Howard’s School of Law.
A Hard Earned Milestone
Ed Brown, Sr., graduated from law school at Howard University in 1941. After graduating he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On his first day on the job, he was assigned to be a chauffeur for one of the higher-ranking officials. When he got off work that evening he never returned. He opened a law office in Southeast Washington, D.C., and one in Alexandria, Virginia where he engaged in the private practice of law.
Contributing to the Community
He was a staunch fighter for civil rights and became chairman of the NAACP in Alexandria, Virginia. He was responsible for the filing of the first lawsuit to integrate the Arlington Public School system. He was a founder of the now well known Boys and Girls Club of Alexandria, Virginia. In his later years, he sponsored at least three free Thanksgiving dinners for all the residents of the City of Alexandria, which were held at the historic Christ’s Church on Washington Street in Alexandria, Virginia.
1960
A Lifetime of Accomplishment
As an African-American beginning his legal career in 1960, Mr. Brown served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, appointed by Robert F. Kennedy. Since then he has championed the rights of individuals in both civil and criminal matters in the District of Columbia and Virginia State and Federal Courts. His trial record and reputation in the D.C. Metro Region are excellent as evidenced by his 30 years with the highest AV rating from Martindale Hubbell.
Early Career
Edwin C. Brown, Jr., was employed by the Internal Security Division of the Department of Justice as Special Assistant to Atty. General Robert Kennedy. In that capacity, he tried espionage cases in federal courts throughout the nation. Ed Brown was invited to transfer to the US Attorney’s office given his trial success and high-security clearance. He also served on the President’s Crime Commission (appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson) that implemented the national phone number “911.”
Carrying On Tradition
Ed Brown, Jr. further developed his impressive legal career by negotiating a contract with Allstate Insurance Company to manage all legal defense work for Allstate insureds. This project led to the incorporation of a small minority-owned firm. This accomplishment cannot be overlooked as it is an example of one of the few (if any) insurance defense contracts held and maintained by a minority-owned law firm spanning the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Edwin C. Brown, Jr. currently supports clients alongside his son at The Brown Firm PLLC.
1996
A Natural Born Litigator
After receiving his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, he dove into the professional legal world head-first. Brown fulfilled the challenging position of a judicial clerkship in the D.C. Superior Court until the fall of 1996 and 1997, he began practicing law alongside his father in the family firm which is now known as The Brown Firm PLLC.
Christopher’s competency in litigation was recognized early on in his legal career. His natural acumen for the law was made evident by his early successes litigating insurance defense cases. His abilities as a litigator continued to develop over an impressive career which includes over 45 jury trials to date.
An Attorney in the Making
Christopher E. Brown was exposed to the world of law at a young age. He made a clear decision early in life to pursue a career in law because he wanted to be able to help others in the same way that his grandfather and father had before him. Edwin C. Brown, Jr. mentored his son so that he could learn the discipline and determination needed to be successful as an attorney.
Determination to Succeed
Christopher E. Brown was a talented athlete and student. Both in the classroom and on the football field, Christopher demonstrated his natural drive to achieve through his tireless work ethic. He remained focused on being successful in athletics and academics which paid off when he was accepted to the prestigious Duke University. During his time at Duke, he continued to display his natural determination and work ethic in both athletics and academics and was awarded the position of running back during some of Duke University’s most impressive years. He was a key element of the success Duke’s 1989 ACC Championship team and helped carry the team to the 1989 All American Bowl. After he received his degree in philosophy and history, he set his sights on law school.
Legal Training
Christopher’s legal training played a crucial role in his development as a litigator. He was able to develop his natural acumen for litigation at the Georgetown University Law Center. He further honed his abilities as a litigator by participating in a civil litigation law clinic where he represented D.C. residents in matters involving small claims. When other students were focusing solely on class, Christopher was already testing his abilities in the courtroom.
2003
Notable Cases
Christopher E. Brown’s abilities as a litigator are especially recognized due to several hard-fought victories in court. He is widely-known and widely-cited in briefs across the country in particular for his 2003 record-setting $5.2 million verdict in the case of White v. BFI, an employment discrimination case in the Eastern District of Virginia – a reputedly difficult jurisdiction for discrimination claimants.
