By Monique Howard
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP — Originally from Brooklyn, New York, civil rights attorney Stanley King was given the opportunity as an undergrad to serve in an internship with the United States Commission of Civil Rights. As an intern, he worked with Ebenezer Baptist Church (which was pastored by Martin Luther King Jr.) and the surrounding community. In addition to serving at this historical landmark, he devoted time to the King Center and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
The inspirational places King visited and the people he encountered during his academic career left a lasting impact on his life and would ultimately help shape his future.
“I was immersed in the thought and idea of civil rights and the work and the efforts that were being put forth by others to level the playing field,” he said in an interview with Front Runner New Jersey. “Then after that, I graduated from Oglethorpe University.”
After working various corporate jobs, he decided to attend Rutgers-Camden Law School, and from there, he represented professional athletes such as baseball player Ray Lankford and many others for several years.
“I simultaneously got back to where I hopefully belong between the struggle for equity and civil rights,’” he explains. “And then my wife and I launched a practice together, and we collectively decided that we wanted to help those who get overlooked in the legal system.”
The couple’s law firm, King & King, is located in Woodbury, New Jersey. Stanley and his wife Sharon worked together for over two decades before she went on the bench in 2021.
Championing for justice does not come without obstacles and unfavorable circumstances, as King has learned firsthand.
“We’ve handled some very difficult, trying cases involving the deaths of people at the hands of police,’ he recalls. “So there’s a certain amount of emotional attachment you have to a family who’s grieving the loss of a loved one, and there’s a certain amount of rage that you have associated with the circumstances surrounding their death more often than not.”
King continues by adding,” It’s senseless, but for the fact that the person who ultimately passed away was not treated with the type of dignity or respect that would be afforded to other similarly situated American citizens, they would still be alive. We’ve handled probably close to 10 wrongful deaths, particularly by African American men at the hands of police.”
King defines his profession as a “Utilitarian undertaking” when considering advice to those who might be considering becoming a lawyer.
“We definitely need more African American lawyers in particular,” he said. “The challenges that face us currently need to be addressed, and we need people in the court to champion those causes. Hopefully, I can bring light to some of the things that are happening. Hopefully, all that was gained in the struggles throughout the years will not be reversed. “
After reflecting on the attack on diversity in the current administration, King offered a piece of advice.
“If we have an opportunity to make this country and our workplaces and schools a more inclusive environment, we should act definitively to make that happen,” he states. “ If, in fact, we would look outside of the norm, which is to always hire and promote and do things that only positively affect one race, one gender, then it is less inclusive. We need to look at other people of color and other sexes in order to create an environment that’s more rich, more universal in its appeal and its application.”