InsideGSBA Online
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President's MessageRemembering Raymond A. Brown, Esq.
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing our esteemed and beloved colleague, Mr. Raymond A. Brown, Esq. Mr. Brown was an attorney's attorney. He believed in and was a champion of many causes. He was best known as a civil rights and criminal defense attorney. As a young lawyer working in the Essex County Courthouse, I had the opportunity to watch this master in action. His courtroom demeanor was par none. He was a feisty attorney whose skill for cross examination was known across this nation. Attorneys from neighboring venues would come to the courthouse just to watch him when he was trying a case. His cross examination of witnesses was done with ease and finesse. When the witness would falter or gave inconsistent answers he would pounce on those discrepancies to breakdown the State's case. He had a unique style. He understood that his body language and voice could be used as a tool to his advantage in the courtroom. As his cross examinations would build, he would rise and either approach the witness stand or stand by the jury rail closest to the audience, with his glasses either on top of his head or in his hand and a legal pad in the other hand. The jury and the audience would be captivated by his presence. His style and tactical cross examination of a witness would make you feel as if you were part of a suspense movie in which you were watching a part of the plot unfold in front of your eyes. His closing arguments were at least as compelling if not more that his cross examinations. It was a joy and a rare privilege to watch such a skilled legal mind at work! Mr. Brown loved to talk about his childhood and the many obstacles that he overcame. Many times he was the lone champion of what was right, but he stayed steadfast and determined to right the wrongs that were being perpetrated on people. Even though he was a defense attorney, he took time to talk to everyone, including prosecutors. Not too long ago, I was National Vice President of Programs of the National Black Prosecutor's Association (NBPA). We had the privilege of having Mr. Brown as our keynote speaker for the 50th Anniversary celebrating "BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE IMPACT" at our Newark celebration. That evening of reflection was a memorable one for all that were gathered. Mr. Brown talked about the civil rights movement and one of the plaintiff's descendants in the Briggs v. Elliott case (Mr. Nathaniel Briggs) which is part of the above case, was present. Their conversation was memorable. As the years passed, I would see Mr. Brown in the Courthouse continuing to defend his many clients. Though his gait had slowed, his brilliant mind and sharp tongue had not. To have known Mr. Brown was a privilege; to see him trying a case was a blessing. To have a man of his caliber as a member of this organization was an honor. Mr. Brown will be missed, but his legacy will live on! May God bless him and his family! Respectfully submitted,
The Family requests that, in lieu of flowers, please send donations, in preferential order, to: Raymond A. Brown Scholarship Fund
Offender Aid and Restoration of Essex County, Inc.
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