06/19/2026
Gray Ice Higdon joins the nation in observing Juneteenth—also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day. This landmark day commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and ensure that the last enslaved African Americans were finally freed.
While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed two and a half years prior, Juneteenth serves as a stark reminder that the proclamation of a law is only the first step; true justice relies on its systemic enforcement and protection.
As legal professionals, our calling is inherently bound to the pursuit of justice, equality, and the rule of law. Juneteenth is not only a celebration of Black freedom and resilience, but it is also a time for deep reflection on the work that remains.