2013 Black Excellence Awards Law Honoree Atty. Lafayette Crump

Attorney Lafayette Crump is a highly motivated and positive-thinking person who knows how to take care of business. Born and raised in Milwaukee, he has been founder and managing member of the Crump Law Firm since 2004. Lafayette is making great strides in bringing quality and affordable legal expertise to government units, small businesses, nonprofit and individuals. Located at 6114 W. Capitol Drive, some of the services provided include assisting corporations with formation, regulatory compliance and policy formation and execution.

Lafayette is also heavily involved in his parents’ business, Prism Technical. Prism Technical was started by his parents in 1995. He is the chief operating officer; both companies are located in the same building.

Besides working in both businesses, Lafayette is also an adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School. He teaches upper-level law students.

His journey towards excellence began early in life. As a teen, Lafayette took pre-college courses, worked part-time in an earlier business owned by his father and did an internship through Inroads, Inc. He liked to draw and was contemplating studying architecture. Lafayette’s parents knew that he could achieve great things and influenced him to set high goals for himself. During high school he was elected Governor of Badger Boys State by 1,000 peers from around the state of Wisconsin and he earned the highest honor University School of Milwaukee had, the Trustee’s Cup. He attended college and law school at Duke University. In 1995, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and in 1998 he graduated with a juris doctor law degree.

While at Duke University, Lafayette served on the Harassment Grievance Board; participated in the Future is Now Mentoring Program, was president of his Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity chapter and is still a member. Driven and determined, Lafayette served on many more boards. He served on the Student Judicial Board, Moot Court Board, Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy as writer and editor; and resident advisor to undergraduates.

After college he continued his volunteer work by serving on several boards and committees. These included the NAACP Milwaukee Chapter’s Legal Redress Committee, the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers, the Alumni Board and Chair of Mentoring and Networking Committee at University School of Milwaukee; and the Wisconsin State Bar Committee of Media/Law Relations and Electronic Bar Services.

Lafayette has received the “Forty Under 40” award through the Business Journal; the Foley & Lardner Lynford Lardner Community Service Award; and Duke University Alumni Caller of the Year. Other activities included being board president of the Inland Seas School of Expeditionary Learning from 2003 – 2010; treasurer and board member for the Business Council from 2004 – 2010 and a member of the Programming Committee of the Milwaukee Forum from 2004 – 2010.

Lafayette has great parents that did not give him everything he desired. He recalls that every time he wanted something, there was a lesson that came with acquiring it. Those lessons helped to shape who he is today and all that he has accomplished.

He believes that life is too short and says you should use it wisely. Lafayette and his wife Laura have three daughters: Kendra, age 15; Kayla, age 12; and Alexa, age 6.