PHOENIX — Benjamin Taylor has sought justice for clients and their families in some of the most high-profile civil rights cases in Arizona.
At his core, Taylor is fighting for what’s right and what’s fair.
For nearly two decades, that has been Taylor's mission. Now he’s using a new opportunity to fight and change the legal justice system.
“Justice looks like fairness,’ he said.
In June 2023, Taylor was elected as the first Black president in the 90-year history of the State Bar of Arizona. The organization represents more than 25,000 judges and attorneys in the state.
Taylor who has volunteered with the organization for years called his selection humbling.
“Why me? There’s a ton of great African-American attorneys. I just hope that I’m not the last,” Taylor said.
Since taking the reigns of the organization he said among his top priorities are making justice accessible to everyone, and adding more diversity among judges to reflect the state's shifting demographics.
"We want to make sure that everyone can afford an attorney and have the ability to have an attorney,” Taylor added.
"I think the bench is changing but we can always have a better bench with more people," Taylor said.
“One that people feel represents them when they step inside the courtroom,” Taylor said.
Born and raised in Arizona, Taylor credits his success to the discipline instilled into him by his parents. His father served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and did tours in Vietnam. His mother was a schoolteacher.
His path to law was not on a straight line. He initially studied finance and graduated with a degree from Arizona State.
Taylor later graduated from the University of Arizona with a law degree and set on a path to help others.
“You have to think about it? There’s the Supreme Court. Our judges, our legislature, that law that they make can really affect your life. Being able to advocate for people who need a voice is what I love about what I do,” Taylor said.
Throughout his career, he’s taken on cities, municipalities, school districts and represented clients on death row.
He said in every case justice looks different.
“When someone has been hurt or injured , in order to get them justice and make them somewhat whole you have to file a lawsuit," said Taylor. "It at least allows them to buy a home or buy a car."
The married father of a toddler said parenthood had given him a view about his clients and the best way to fight for them.
"Fatherhood gave me a deeper perspective especially when I represent parents who have lost their sons and daughters. You can now place yourself in their shoes. "
His shoes are continuing to pave a path in Arizona’s history books.
Taylor said he wants to continue to be a servant to the community and be a beacon of change, and to help his clients find justice.
"In order to have a better society, a better legal community we have to make sure that we get justice," said Taylor.
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