James Ferguson II, a Charlotte civil rights lawyer whose landmark cases desegregated schools nationwide died July 21, 2025 at 82. Ferguson, an Asheville native, was also a co-founder of North Carolina’s first interracial law firm. By Julia Coin and Maia Nehme

James Ferguson II, a prominent civil rights lawyer from Charlotte known for his role in desegregating schools nationwide, has passed away at the age of 82.

ASHEVILLE - Trailblazing civil rights attorney and Asheville native James "Fergie" Ferguson died the morning of July 21, his son Jay Ferguson told the Citizen Times. He was 82.