A Strong, Determined Voice for Balancing the Odds

The second generation of lawyers, committed to making a difference in the lives of African Americans in the Dallas area, Civil Rights Attorney Louis A. Bedford, IV focuses his practice in the areas of Election Law and Voting Rights Law.

Having come up under the tutelage of his father, Louis A. Bedford Ill, and grandfather, Judge Louis A. Bedford II, Louis A. Bedford IV “knows the scales of justice tip in favor of those with power and influence, and he has committed himself to use his knowledge to balance the odds.” He describes himself as “a dedicated advocate who understands that the key to having a true representative democracy is making sure that the people are empowered with the information they need to have control over their own lives, but also making sure people have a voice in a system that actively tries to keep [them] voiceless.”

Because he believes that “poverty and disenfranchisement have crippling and truly traumatic impacts on people who have to endure,” Attorney Louis A Bedford IV “works to bring communities and groups together, as he believes solidarity and community can create a revolutionary change to the world around us.”

Those who work with Louis see his tireless dedication and his desire to do as much as he possibly can to help those around him. Louis’s background as a caregiver has informed how he operates and interacts with the world, and he brings that perspective with him to every case and task.

Louis received his B.S. degree from New York University, and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas.

Before coming to work for the law offices of West & Associates, L.L.P., he worked for the Illinois Collaboration of Youth (2018-2019), an institution that promotes the safety, health, and economic success of Illinois’ children, youth, and families by supporting and strengthening the organizations and systems that serve them. From 2019 – 2020, he worked for the Texas Civil Right Project, a group consisting of” … Texas lawyers and advocates for Texas communities, boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts…[who] envision a Texas where all communities thrive with dignity and justice, and without fear.”

In an interview with the Dallas Examiner, Attorney Bedford stated that “despite the 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments in effect, voter suppression has been an instrument to keep disenfranchised groups from having a voice. For instance, during the times of Jim Crow laws, there were acts of violence, literacy tests, property tests, the grandfather clause, voter roll purges, felony disenfranchisement and poll taxes.”

He warned that “Even though a lot of these may seem as though they are remnants of the past, unfortunately – unfortunately, a lot of them are very much present today.” He further explained, “That is the true history of this country and in order for us to move forward, we have to confront the demons of our past if we want to make sure that we are able to have a more equitable and just society.”

Attorney Bedford is affiliated with African American Lawyers, Individual Rights and Responsibilities, JL. Turner Legal Association, and New Leaders Council-2021 Dallas Chapter.

Because of his strong, determined voice for those who would be denied their most sacred right to vote, we recognize Civil Rights Attorney Louis A. Bedford IV as A Hero of Black Resistance, working to balance the odds.