TODAY 4/9: From Merritt Education to Supreme Court Win, ’63 Merritt Alumnus, Attorney and Author to Speak and Sign His Book

TODAY 4/9: From Merritt Education to Supreme Court Win, ’63 Merritt Alumnus, Attorney and Author to Speak and Sign His Book

Robert L. Harris, who grew up in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, picking cotton and being educated in a one-room schoolhouse, is proud to have gotten his start to higher education at Merritt College, where he graduated in 1963. Mr. Harris will come back to visit his alma mater on Monday, April 9, at 11:30 a.m., in the Student Lounge where he will read from his new memoir, Goodbye, Arkadelphia, answer questions, and sign books for those who would like to purchase them.

From Merritt, Mr. Harris’s educational journey took him to SF State and then to UC Berkeley Law School, and he ended up landing his first job as an attorney at PG&E where he would spend the next 34 years until his retirement. His many accomplishments during his illustrious career were highlighted by an unprecedented invitation in 1985 to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court–and win!

Mr. Harris will read some of the fascinating details of his life from his new memoir, including his childhood in segregated Arkadelphia and his move to California, including his senior year at Oakland Tech (a 1961 graduate) and Merritt College (then located on Grove Street). He’ll also talk about  his years at PG&E and some of the important cases he handled, including the famous U.S. Supreme Court case.  Books will  be available to purchase and to be signed.

Don’t miss hearing from one of Merritt’s most distinguished alumni. The event is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and Campus Life.