Justice is both a claim and a debt.

it is what i am due, and what i must do.

what i am owed and what i owe.

signature talks

american in justice

a continued search for the more perfect union

the personality of an attorney v. the soul of a lawyer

hope, healing, and the sacred work of a noble profession

From the courtroom to the boardroom, there is always room for the greater dimension that gives purpose to the vocation of law. Derrick places a long-overdue and sorely missed emphasis on what it means to be a lawyer, and in this insightful and compelling talk, he will

  • Explore historical perspectives that highlight the symbiotic relationship between moral courage and legal advocacy

  • Confront contemporary challenges to the rule of law and discuss strategies for reinforcing its resilience

  • Examine the full meaning and application of professional ethics; and

  • Detail how a robust moral professional identity impacts well-being – for lawyers and for society at large.

This talk will allow you to envision a legal community where moral identity serves as the bedrock for transformative advocacy.

why faith is not a reason

but there is a reason why I have faith

People say you should not mix religion and - well just about anything. But in this highly personal and professional talk, Derrick not only mixes it with law, culture, and yes, politics, but stirs it in such a way, that a stunning revelation is unavoidable. As this candid conversation unfolds, your audience will be challenged and inspired by two main points -

  • The two forms of belief

  • I doubt, I believe

We have not always gotten it right, but it is a goal we have not left behind. In this talk, Derrick offers a perspective on our current civic condition that is both timely and needed. With insight, and a masterful blend of humor, history, and hope, he leads a conversation that

  • Proposes strategies for reigniting a passion for justice by first understanding what justice is

  • Faces head on what keeps us locked into patterns of unmet expectations

  • Urges heeding the often-ignored inner voice that speaks a language we all understand; and

  • Offers a step-by-step method of getting to “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

This talk aims to spark a renewed understanding of the bedrock principles needed for a just and healthy society.

speaking topics

social Matters

  • Race and the dominion impulse disorder

  • Civil rights legal history

law and ORDER

  • Society and the Supreme Court

  • The Constitution and its five heartbeats

cultural topics

  • Musical influence and mental image

  • Relationships