GRAND BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Finney: It would take me hours to answer that question. For me, my introduction into the fraternity has been one of the cornerstones of my personal and professional development. Journal: How do you administer the role of Grand Board member? Finney: The Grand Board is a policy making entity. Its powers are superseded by the Grand Chapter, Constitution and Statutes and Rituals. It has the power to supervise and act on all Fraternity matters between meetings of the Grand Chapter. I see my role as one of the ten final policy makers for the fraternity. It is a role that I take very seriously because the members of the fraternity expect and deserve my participation, involvement and input on fraternity matters. In doing so, I bring my education and training in assisting the board in its decision- making. Journal: What advice would you give to those who want to pursue a career in the legal profession? Finney: The legal profession is broad based. One does not have to “practice” law to benefit from a legal education. I would urge anyone interested in any field of human endeavor to follow ones passion.
Student Union Board for three years, two of which as Chairman. Our board was responsible for all campus cultural and entertainment activities, including the campus movie theatre, concerts, ballets, symphonies. Pretty much the gamut. I served in leadership roles in many organizations, including serving as the chartering Polemarch of our chapter on campus. I served on both the President and Dean of Students search committee as a Student and an officer in the Interfraternity Council. Athletically, I participated in intramural football, basketball and softball. I tutored at a local middle school and was a member of the school’s gospel choir. I actually also was D.J., had a jazz radio show and was an entertainment promoter, while also serving as a hall director for a fraternity dormitory on campus. One thing for sure, I enjoyed my college years Journal: What type of law do you practice and how does your efforts benefit the community? Finney: My primary area of practice is Plaintiff ’s personal injury, with subspecialties within that area. To a limited degree, I also have an active business litigation practice. I have had to good fortune to litigate cases in over 20 states since being admitted to practice law and have been board certified as a civil trial attorney since 1992. Journal: Given the myriad organizations in which you have served, what responsibility do you think a lawyer has to be involved in the community? Finney: Charles Hamilton, a prominent black lawyer, Dean of Howard University Law School, and NAACP Litigation Director helped train Justice Thurgood Marshall once said “A lawyer’s either a social engineer or… a parasite on society…
A social engineer [is] a highly skilled perceptive, sensitive lawyer who [understands] the Constitution of the United States and [knows] how to explore its uses in the solving of problems of local communities and in bettering conditions of the underprivileged citizens.” I believe, as a lawyer involved in organizations, my responsibility is assist and encourage appropriate actions and conduct, while at the same time advocating that each organization fulfill its mission or purpose. Journal: What motto do you live by? Finney: I have many. One is “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 and another is “The difference between who you were yesterday and who you will be tomorrow lies in what you will do today.” Journal: How does truth, justice, impartiality and liberty factor into the legal process? Finney: The goal of the legal process is to be fair; however, fair often depends upon perspective. Each person carries with him or her a certain perspective based upon culture, education and life experiences. Thus, the law evolves as we attempt to reach truth and justice. Journal: What do you like most about your job? Finney: The thing I like most about my job is that I am helping people in an environment that is always changing. Journal: How has Kappa Alpha Psi ® played a role in your legal or educational career?
Opposite page: The Grand Pole- march, center, back row with his "legal counsel." Front row, from left: Cleophus Thomas, Jr., Esq., Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq., Linnes Finney, Jr., Esq. Back row, from left: Damon O. Barry, Esq. Robert L. Jenkins, Jr., Esq., E. Delane Rose- mond, Esq. and Carlos D. Watson, Esq.
124 | SUMMER 2017 THE JOURNAL
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