W. L. Mhoon, also known as William L. Moon (1879–1950), was an American lawyer and politician in
Jackson, Mississippi. He was one of two African American lawyers licensed in the state of Mississippi in the mid-1940s.[1] Mhoon was a
black-and-tan member of the
Mississippi Republican Party.[2][3][4]
Biography
Mhoon was born in 1879. He began practicing law in Mississippi in 1907.[2] Mhoon started his legal career at the Mhoon, Burns, and Levy firm.[2] He also had partnered with
Perry Wilbon Howard II, and had his own practice.[2] Mhoon was described as humble and modest in his professional career.[5]
By 1909, there were twenty-two Black lawyers in Mississippi.[6] He reportedly appeared white, but did not try cases in court himself due to limitations imposed on the few black lawyers working in Mississippi.[6] Many of the Black lawyers left the state in the 1930s after lawyer
Sidney Dillon Redmond's legal issues and disbarment.[1] In 1941, his office was at 119-1/2 North Farish Street in Jackson, Mississippi.[7] By 1944, Mhoon was one of two African American lawyers in the state, the other being
Taylor G. Ewing of
Vicksburg.[1] Mhoon also worked in the insurance business and in Black voter registration efforts in
c. 1949.[8]