On February 26, 2013, Professor John Brittain spoke at The First Annual J. Clay Smith Black History Month Lecture at Reed Smith LLP. Prof. Brittain spoke about the challenges and roles of the African-American lawyer in the social empowerment of the African-American community over the next 25 years: 2013 - 2038. The event was sponsored by The Washington Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, The Charles Hamilton Houston Law School Preparatory Institute and The National Black Law Students Association.