Memphis Lawyer Retires at 95

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Charles Crump ’37 is retiring from the practice of law with Apperson Crump at 95 years of age.

After graduating from the Law School, Crump practiced law for a few years, before becoming a Naval intelligence officer tasked with briefing dive bomber pilots for their missions in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

After returning to Memphis, Crump resumed a legal career, focusing on trusts and estates. While not considered a glamorous aspect of the legal profession, Crump found ways to make positive differences. He is credited with opening up social links between blacks and whites in the 1960s by helping with the Memphis Community Leadership Training organization.

In 1999, Crump was honored by the National Conference for Community and Justice for helping to integrate the Memphis Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he helped establish Memphis Area Legal Services, a group that provides legal advice to low-income residents.

Crump has some advice for the next generation of the legal profession: “Honesty and integrity are absolutely paramount. You can’t violate those principles. I would say they are absolutely essential. And be thorough, and be respectful.”