THOMAS A. HAMMOND JR.

HONORING

The Life and Legacy of Attorney Thomas Alphonso Hammond, Jr.

Attorney Thomas Alphonso Hammond, Jr., a distinguished legal mind, devoted public servant, and beloved family man, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. He was 88 years old.

Born on June 27, 1937, in Ridge Spring, South Carolina, Thomas, affectionately known as "Al" was the eldest of three children born to Thomas Alphonso Hammond, Sr. and Flossie Gomillion Hammond. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Attorney Louis Weldon Hammond, with whom he shared a lifetime of brotherhood, mentorship, and mutual admiration.

Al's educational journey began at Martha Schofield High School in Aiken, South Carolina, and continued at Morehouse College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics in 1958. While at Morehouse, he was initiated into the Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. He later graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1969, where he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity and a founding coordinator of the Neighborhood Consumer Information Center. He also completed executive training at the Institute for Court Management in Denver, Colorado.

A proud veteran, Al served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962, attaining the rank of Specialist 5th Class. His early career included roles as a counselor and social worker, where he demonstrated deep compassion and a steadfast commitment to community welfare.

Al's legal career was marked by excellence and integrity. He served as a Staff Attorney with the Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia, Director of the Criminal Justice Act Program, and ultimately as Chief Deputy Clerk of the Civil Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, retiring in 1992 after nearly two decades of service. He also taught law at Federal City College (now the University of The District of Columbia) and served on numerous advisory committees, including the Criminal Jury Instructions Committee and the Advisory Committee on Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure.

His contributions extended beyond the courtroom. Al was a respected faculty member of the Georgetown University Law Center's Continuing Legal Education Program and a consultant with R&R Inc., a management consulting firm. He was deeply engaged in civic life, serving on the board of the D.C. Parent and Child Center and participating in political campaigns and legal associations.

A man of many interests, Al was an avid reader, traveler, golfer, tennis player, oil painter, photographer, and cook. Baptized at an early age at Friendship Baptist Church in Aiken, S.C., he later found joy in teaching Bible School at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, where he was a faithful member.

A devoted Civil War history enthusiast, he and his son traveled together each Memorial Day to visit Civil War battlefields. He was an enthusiastic member of the Third Friday Book Club and loved meeting new people wherever he went. His commitment to justice and community was reflected in his membership in the National Bar Association, the Washington Bar Association, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and his service on the board of the Parent Child Center. His love for history and justice was matched only by his love for family.

Al is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Dr. Brenda Hines Hammond; his son, Thomas Alphonso "AJ" Hammond Ill; his sister, Ms. F. Alexis H. Roberson; his beloved aunt, Ms. Catherine Drakeford; brothers-and sisters-in-love; nieces, nephews, cousins, legal colleagues, and cherished friends.

Attorney Hammond's life was a testament to service, scholarship, and steadfast love. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all who were privileged to know him.

To God Be the Glory!