Hyundai Motor America Pays Tribute To Veteran Civil Rights Attorney Fred Gray

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3, 2015 -- Hyundai Motor America joined forces with the National Bar Association Board of Governors and the law firm of Ivie, McNeil and Wyatt to honor legendary civil rights attorney Fred Gray at a special reception on Saturday, July 18, 2015. Held at the law offices of Ivie, McNeil and Wyatt, Hyundai executives, National Bar Association Board members, and high profile politicos including Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, gathered to celebrate Gray, one of the nation's most prominent civil rights leaders. The famed attorney, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law is well-respected and seen as an icon in the civil rights movement, having represented Rosa Parks in 1955 and 1956 after her arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. He served as Martin Luther King Jr.'s first civil rights attorney, and led the legal case for voting rights after the famous Selma to Montgomery March in 1965. In his over 60-year legal career, Gray has represented numerous significant clients including Freedom Riders and Tuskegee Syphilis Study participants among many others.

Speaking at the reception hosted in conjunction with the National Bar Association, Jerry Flannery, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Hyundai Motor America lauded the immense contribution Mr. Gray has made toward nation building, highlighting the pivotal role he played in landmark litigation that helped advance civil rights. "Attorney Gray has dedicated a lifetime to the service of justice and equality for all through his practice of the law," said Flannery. "He has been recognized by U.S. Presidents and leaders around the world for his work in civil rights. Our nation, indeed the world is a better place, because Fred Gray was determined to bring about change and fought and won cases to end segregation in the U.S. We are proud to recognize his achievement for his over 60 years of service to the legal profession." Flannery presented Gray with a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Hyundai.

Rickey Ivie, senior partner of Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt in his remarks thanked Hyundai for their support of the event which recognized a stalwart and legal legend. "We are thrilled that Hyundai has joined us in welcoming the National Bar Association to Los Angeles for its 90th annual conference. The National Bar Association is the conscience of the American Legal system, whose members fight for legal justice on behalf of underserved and underrepresented persons every day." Ivie said, "We are especially pleased to have this occasion to celebrate the work that Attorney Fred Gray has done to shape our system of juris prudence, particularly for people of color. The concept of civil rights in the U.S. is due in no small part to Mr. Gray." Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt, a general practice litigation and transactional firm that represents consumers, businesses and public entities is this year celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

The event was part of the National Bar Association's Board of Governor's opening ceremonial activities. The Board of Governor's reception marked the beginning of the Association's 90th annual conference, which is being held in Los Angeles. The reception also was an opportunity to pay tribute to attorney Fred Gray, who has long been a champion of the civil rights movement. The 84-year old Alabama native and member of the National Bar Association, Gray continues to practice of law at his Tuskegee and Montgomery law firm.

The annual event, hosted by the National Bar Association, was attended by city and government officials, representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps, Hyundai executives and top law firms throughout Los Angeles.