Marvin S. Arrington Sr. facts for kids

Marvin Stephens Arrington Sr. (born February 10, 1941 – died July 5, 2023) was an important American judge and politician from Atlanta, Georgia. He served as a judge in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia. Before that, he was a key leader in Atlanta's city government.

Marvin Arrington Sr. was elected to the Atlanta Board of Aldermen in 1969. This group was like today's City Council. He later became the President of the Atlanta City Council and held that role for 17 years. He was also one of the first two African American students to study law full-time at Emory University School of Law in 1965.

Early Life

Marvin Arrington Sr. was born in Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He lived in Atlanta his whole life. His father, George Arrington, worked as a truck driver. His mother, Maggie, was a domestic worker. Marvin grew up in the Grady Homes, which was a public housing project in downtown Atlanta.

Education

Marvin Arrington Sr. finished Henry McNeal Turner High School in 1959. He then went to Clark College, which is now Clark Atlanta University. He attended college on a football scholarship. In 1963, he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Clark. He was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

In 1964, he started studying law at Howard University. After his first year, he moved to Emory University School of Law. He finished his law degree from Emory in 1967.

Career in Public Service

Marvin Arrington Sr. had a long career in public service. From 1969, he served on the Atlanta Board of Aldermen. This board later became the Atlanta City Council. He was a member for 25 years. For 7 of those years, he was the President of the City Council.

He also worked as a lawyer. In 1973, he joined a law firm called Kleiner and Herman. Later, he helped form his own law firm, Arrington, Winter, Krischer and Goger. In 1989, he started another firm, Arrington and Hollowell, with Donald Hollowell. This firm worked on different types of law, like corporate bonds and labor relations.

In 1997, Marvin Arrington Sr. ran for Mayor of Atlanta. However, he did not win the election against the mayor at the time, Bill Campbell.

In 2002, the governor, Roy Barnes, appointed him as a judge in the Fulton County Superior Court. He was elected for a full term as a judge in November of that year. As a judge, he made important legal decisions. For example, he ruled on a state law, and his decision was later supported by Georgia's highest court.

In 2005, he was at the Fulton courthouse when a shooting happened. He and other court staff had to stay safely in his office during the event.

In 2008, there was some discussion when he spoke to people in his courtroom. He later explained that he was giving advice. He told them to "Don't violate the law, make something out of yourself, go to school, find a role model, somebody that will help you advance your life." He later said that clearing the courtroom was a mistake, but he wanted to share important life lessons.

Personal Life and Passing

Marvin Arrington Sr. married Marilyn Jones in 1971. They had a son and a daughter. Both of their children became lawyers, following in their father's footsteps.

Marvin S. Arrington Sr. passed away on July 5, 2023. He was 82 years old.

Awards and Recognition

Marvin Arrington Sr. received many honors during his life. Atlanta Magazine named him one of Atlanta's top 25 lawyers. Black Enterprise Magazine also recognized his law firm, Arrington and Hollowell, as one of America's "Top 10 Black Law Firms."

Published Works

Marvin Arrington Sr. wrote a book about his life:

• Making My Mark: The Story of a Man Who Wouldn't Stay in His Place, his autobiography, published in 2008 by Mercer University Press.