Administrative law judge begins year as 2022-2023 ISBA president

Henry Hamilton III has a motto for his term: “Keeping it REAL – Reaching Every Available Lawyer”
By Haley Bohlmann, Communications Director
Henry Hamilton III is a leader on a mission to make a difference.
“Like so many lawyers, I chose the legal profession to make an impact on society and in our communities,” he says.
That is why he dedicates so much of his time to organizations that give back to the community and to associations that elevate the legal profession. “As I’ve grown older, I realize it is just as fulfilling to empower and encourage others to have an impact and otherwise fulfill their dreams,” he explains.
Get to know Henry Hamilton III
Over the years, Henry has been a long-time ISBA member, served as District 5C Board of Governors Representative and was a past member of the ISBA Young Lawyers Division. He recently served on the board of the Polk County Bar Association and is the current vice-chairperson of the Iowa State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights as well as the current vice-chair of the American Bar Association General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section. Additionally, he serves on the Twenty-First Century Committee of Corinthian Baptist Church and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
He is also involved in the National Bar Association (NBA), the nation’s largest organization of African American lawyers. The NBA was founded in Des Moines and established in 1925 by 12 African American attorneys who at the time were denied membership to the American Bar Association solely based on the color of their skin.
“A Monumental Journey” sculpture which stands at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Grand Avenue in downtown Des Moines was erected in memory of the founders of the NBA. The $2.1 million project was the inspiration of one of his good friends, Polk County Judge Odell McGhee.  Henry shares that in celebration of the founding of the NBA, the organization will be holding its 100th anniversary midyear meeting in Des Moines in 2025.
It is not lost on Henry that he will be the first African American to assume the role of president of The Iowa State Bar Association. He recognizes that it is a meaningful achievement, but not in any selfish or self-serving kind of way. “It sends a strong message about diversity and inclusiveness in the legal community and the State of Iowa,” he states.
Aside from being the first African American ISBA president, the accomplishment he is most proud of are his three children. “They are doing amazing things and making positive contributions to society. Watching them prosper is what brings me the most joy nowadays,” he professes.
As far as legal accomplishments, in his 30-year career he has litigated only one case of first impression, so it is the case that sticks out to him above all others. He was the first attorney to successfully argue that the denial of prescription contraceptives under an otherwise comprehensive medical plan was unlawful sex discrimination. The case broadened his knowledge of vast inequities in the health care system.
His main source of inspiration throughout his life has “hands down” been his parents. “My parents provided the most enriching, supportive and safe environment a child could ever want,” says Henry. His mother served as the head of the local NAACP chapter and has dedicated her life to securing the promises of equality and opportunity for all people. His father demonstrated how to be a loving husband and father and instilled in him the values of hard work and doing for others. Henry’s father recently passed. He acknowledges that it has been a difficult time for him and his family but receiving so many kind thoughts from ISBA members has brought much comfort. He reveals: “The kindness of Iowa lawyers just reinforces that Iowa is where I belong. We have a tremendous bar, and I am so proud to be an Iowa lawyer.”
As he prepares for his role as the 136th president of The Iowa State Bar Association, he feels that at this time in his life, this is where he can have the greatest impact.
“I am committed to the values and the mission of the ISBA,” he states. The strength of his commitment is based upon knowledge that the organization truly aligns its actions with its mission. “We say we are about improving the legal profession and ensuring that Iowa lawyers are more successful, more efficient and more profitable – and that is what we do.”
For decades Iowa lawyers have discussed the importance of diversity in the legal profession and undertaken a variety of initiatives at the bar level, within the judiciary, at law schools, within law firms, among government agencies and in nonprofit and corporate organizations. There are good intentions, however, as he explains, “We are operating in silos without a lot of collaboration or direction, and this isn’t efficient.” Given all the efforts and resources, Henry says that mixed results have been experienced, and in many ways the legal industry has fallen short of diversity, equity and inclusion goals in Iowa.
During the ISBA Board of Governors spring quarterly meeting in March, Henry presented the Centralized Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force’s recommendation that an ISBA DEI staff position be created. The idea was largely the work of Katie Overberg, Anjela Shutts and Bill Boyd. “The DEI position within the state bar is the single most important advancement undertaken in all my years of practice,” he says. The new role will serve as a statewide clearinghouse of information and data on diversity – what works, what has not worked, what are some best practices, what are the best ways to deal with conflict and growing pains, where can there be collaboration to maximize recruitment and retention and more.  
“If you value diversity, equity and inclusion and the vision of a legal profession which better reflects the community it serves, these are exciting times,” he said.
Henry has spent the last two years as vice president and president-elect of the bar, working alongside Presidents Anjela Shutts and Jerry Schnurr III. When outgoing President Anjela Shutts passes the gavel to Henry during the Board of Governors gathering during the annual meeting of the members on June 22, he is excited to take a lead on some top priorities as president.
“We will relentlessly focus on making sure our members are more knowledgeable, more efficient, more successful and more profitable,” says the incoming president with a strong focus on providing value to ISBA members.

 
Goals for his presidency
The motto for his year as president is “Keeping it REAL – Reaching Every Available Lawyer,” as he plans to ramp up ISBA membership and outreach efforts. “We are going to take our message to every lawyer – rural, urban, large firm, solo practice, nonprofit, government agency and more.”
Specifically, he looks forward to working with CLE Director Christy Cronin to continue to provide “best-in-the-nation” CLE programming.  Another focus will be on utilizing the ISBA website and social media presence to keep members informed in real-time on the latest developments impacting their areas of practice.
Henry also aims to strengthen the ISBA legislative program, explaining “We have one of the most successful legislative programs in the state and we plan to keep it that way.” He knows that there are some tough battles coming up for the ISBA affirmative legislative program and the stakes are getting bigger and bigger. “Comparable organizations are investing resources, growing their legislative programs and making strategic advances. We have the resources and ability to do the same and we will. This is hugely important. Iowa lawyers deserve no less.”
A few other items on his radar include exploring options for the ISBA to offer solo and small firm practitioners a group health care plan to reduce their current premiums, providing informal and formal ethics opinions for members and developing new publications. “We will have big news in the coming months, including an updated family law manual and an announcement of the ISBA 150th Year Anniversary Book. Henry has been active in forming an ISBA Sesquicentennial Committee led by Co-Chairs ISBA Past President Jerry Schnurr III and Emily Gould Chafa who are working on a publication which will highlight the people and events of the first 150 years of the association (1874-2024).
For the last seven years, Henry has enjoyed his career working alongside his colleagues at the West Des Moines Social Security Hearings Office as an administrative law judge.
Mentors throughout his career
If you ask Henry who has been instrumental in his professional career, he explains that he considers himself the product of many great Iowa lawyers. His current colleagues are included in a long list of names containing many others in the legal community. The list contains Drake Law School Professor Russell Lovell and his law school classmates, as a source of constant encouragement and assistance. He can also name over 20 Iowa attorneys, including many from the City of Des Moines legal department, who provided him counsel and guidance that he needed as a new attorney. Henry also adds: “I have to thank Polk County judges. I was 29 years old when I was appointed as Polk County Magistrate. Back then, there was only one magistrate for the entire county. Judge after judge pulled me aside and personally welcomed me to the bench, offered me sage advice and reassured me that I was up to the task.”
Attorney Alfredo Parrish played a huge role in his professional journey. Although Henry had decent grades in law school and 17 jury trials under his belt at the time, Henry explains that when he was looking to enter private practice there were not a lot of offers. It was a humbling experience for him. Alfredo hired Henry to work at his law firm, and Henry says, “While there I experienced firsthand the amazing power of the law when combined with research, hard work and zealous advocacy.”
For 18 years, Henry held a position at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and is forever grateful for Inga Bumbray-Langston who he says opened that door for him. By the end of his tenure at the EEOC, he had likely tried or presided over more federal employment discrimination cases than anyone else in the Midwest. He describes his time there as “a truly rewarding experience at so many levels.”
He added that he also wants to thank his good friends Judge Odell McGhee, Judge Romonda Belcher, Alan Olson, David Brown and others who provide constant encouragement and support for his endeavors. 
Future legacy
When asked what kind of impact he wants to make in the legal profession, Henry responds, “I would like for the legal profession to better understand and embrace the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in our profession.”
He goes on to mention that former Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady stated, “Truth is the aim of the law and needs diversity to be properly judged.” Henry explains that Iowa needs better diversity in the legal profession, on juries and on the bench – at the district court and appellate levels. “I don’t think there has ever been an African American judge on the appellate bench in Iowa, and that’s very unfortunate.”
It is important to have varying perspectives within the legal profession, and he often uses a football analogy to describe why. “When there is a close play, the referees go to the sidelines and review the play from a variety of angles. They don’t rely on one perspective. They do this to make sure they make the correct call because a lot is riding on their decision.” He says that is what the legal system must do. The issues faced as a profession are hugely important in promoting democracy and confidence in the legal system and it is important to ensure that all perspectives are considered when conclusions are reached.
Regarding progress, Henry offers: “I’ll say this, and it is true of any underrepresented group, it’s important for there to be a first because only then is it possible to have a second, and a fifth, and a tenth and so forth, until the day arrives when all walls have been knocked down and all ceilings eliminated, and we lose count and ultimately stop counting.” This is just another step along that monumental journey.

See the full article published in The Iowa Lawyer magazine June issue here: https://www.iowabar.org/resource/resmgr/cover_feature.pdf