2018
The National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division is proud to announce its 2018 “Women of Achievement Award” Nominees. 2018 has been a remarkable year for the WLD and the achievements of our nominees are a reflection of the great women that have served the WLD over its 46 year history. The WLD and the NBA is so proud of these “Bold & Remarkable Black Women of the Bar”. As Chair of the WLD, I invite all to attend our spectacular programs, CLEs and retreat during the National Bar Association Annual Convention in New Orleans July 29 – August 3, 2018. Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers Chair, NBA Women Lawyers Division
This publication includes the profiles of elite black women lawyers around the country who have been nominated by their peers as “Women of Achievement”. During the NBA WLD Achievement Awards Breakfast on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 7am, the WLD will honor the award recipients in the categories of: Solo Firm, Corporate Counsel, Government/Public Service, Majority Firm, Judiciary, Politics, Young Lawyer and Hidden Figure.
Rosalyn Henderson-Meyers, Esq. Representative – Spartanburg Dist. 31 South Carolina Legislature
Rosalyn is Principal of Henderson Law Group in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 2017, she was elected House Representative for District 31 for Spartanburg County and has been assigned to the Committees for Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs. She is A graduate of the University of South Carolina and she received her JD From Tulane University. Rosalyn clerked for Judge Ronald J. Sholes, served as a district attorney, trial counsel for Allstate and former member Of the Spartanburg City Council. Rosalyn has served the NBA as Chair of The Health Law Section, and Region IV Dir and is a members of the S.C. Black Lawyers Assn.
I am honored to have served as Chair of the 2018 WLD Achievement Awards Breakfast and as Vice Chair of the Division. I want to thank all who have participated in the nomination of these women of greatness. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these worthy women and sharing their success at the NBA Annual Convention in New Orleans. Sharon Bridges Chair, 2018 NBA - WLD Achievement Award Breakfast
Special Thanks to our Sponsors & Partners
Sharon Bridges Corporate Counsel Sharon Bridges is in-house counsel for Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation in Memphis, TN, a health care system with 22 hospitals and 21,000 employees. Sharon is responsible for commercial transactions and employment matters. As a former Partner for two regional law firms, she led the firm’s litigation division and served as First Chair Trial Attorney. Sharon has served the NBA as General Counsel, Vice President, Regional Director, Chair of the Health Law Section and currently serves as Vice Chair for the Women Lawyers Division.
About NBA Women Lawyers Division The Women Lawyers Division (WLD) of the National Bar Association was established in 1972 as a vehicle for women in the practice of law to address the issues and problems that particularly affect, interest, and concern African American women. Through the WLD, women have made a significant impact on the goals and directions of the NBA by participating at all levels of the organization. The WLD has achieved its goal of adding positive direction to the NBA by “taking a seat at its table” and establishing a new dimension of sensitivity of the NBA as it addresses legal issues affecting women, children, the family, and the African American community as a whole. In its sponsorship of seminars, breakfasts and other forums, the WLD has concentrated on issues of specific interest and impact on women, and as a result, brought these issues to the forefront of the NBA’s conscience.
History Women of Achievement Awards Since 1976, the WLD has recognized outstanding women lawyers and jurists at its luncheons and annual breakfasts. Outstanding guest speakers have included the Hon. Constance Baker Motley, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York; the Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton, nonvoting Congressional Delegate from the District of Columbia; the Hon. Ann Diggs Taylor, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; the Hon. Joyce London Alexander, Magistrate of the U.S. District Court in Boston; the Hon. Juanita Kidd Stout, former Supreme Court Justice from Pennsylvania; the Hon. Joyce Tucker, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Member; Derrick Bell, Harvard Law School Professor; Barbara Arnwine, Executive Director, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under the Law; Debra L. Lee, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of BET, Inc.; Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Chief Executive Officer of National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Emma Darnell, County Commissioner of Atlanta, Georgia; the Hon. Ann Claire Williams, Judge of the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, the Hon. Johnnie B. Rawlinson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Phyllis James, Executive Vice President, Special Counsel for Litigation, and Chief Diversity and Corporate Responsibility Officer for MGM International. This year the WLD Breakfast Committee has formalize and expanded its breakfast recognition program to recognize top women lawyers who exemplify a broad range of high achievement in their respective practice groups. Through a strategic alliance with FHG Media Enterprises, LLC (producers of MinorityCounselorTV.com), which is the legal industries first and only woman and African American owned legal media company, this inaugural “Women of Achievement” branded magazine has been created to memorialize the historic achievements of African American women lawyers.
Historic Sketches of Women of Achievement Charlotte E. Ray First African- American Female Lawyer in the United States
Sincerely, Rosalyn D. Henderson-Meyers Chair, NBA Wld
Rosalyn D. Henderson - Meyers, Esq. Chair - NBA Women Lawyes Division
Sonya 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - July 31, 2018
Sincerely, Rosalyn D. Henderson –Meyers Chair, NBA Women Lawyers Division
Minority Lawyers In Majority Firm Nominees Ashely N. Wicks Partner
Butler Snow, LLP Attorney Wicks is a member of Butler Snow’s business services group and the public finance, tax incentives, and credit markets group. She focuses her practice on public finance, state and local taxation, and tax and estates. Ashley’s civic involvement includes being active in the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (Treasurer), Junior League of Jackson, Make a Wish Foundation, Magnolia Bar Association (Past President), the National Bar Association and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (Board of Directors). Attorney Wicks is a graduate of the Mississippi Economic Council Leadership Class of 2017. She was named in the top 10 of Mississippi Business Journal’s 2016 Top 50 Under 40 and a MidSouth Super Lawyers® Rising Star in tax. Attorney Wicks earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in public administration from Jackson State University, Juris Doctor at Tulane University, and her LL.M. in taxation at the University of Alabama.
Kandace Watson Partner
Sheppard Mullen, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Kandace Watson is a Partner at Sheppard Mullin where she represents private and public companies in the areas of corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, patent and technology licenses and general business. Her expertise includes board governance, complex commercial transactions, which includes consortium agreements, corporate spin-offs and reorganizations, IP licenses, CRADAs and other cooperative research, development and commercialization agreements, material transfer agreements (MTAs), joint ventures, public and private offerings, securities compliance, cross-border and multi-state transactions. Ms. Watson was featured in 2016 by Legal 500 US for Mergers & Acquisitions and Buyouts. She was named San Diego’s “Top Attorneys 2015” in Corporate Transactions, profiled by the San Diego Business Journal as a nominee for “Power of Attorneys 2012 – San Diego’s Top Corporate Counsel.” In 2008, she was a recipient of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
dana M. Douglas Shareholder
Liskow & Lewis, New Orleans LA Dana M. Douglas is a shareholder at Liskow & Lewis, New Orleans, LA. After graduating from Loyola University School of Law in 2000, Dana served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. Dana’s practice focuses on commercial, energy and intellectual property litigation in the state and federal courts of Louisiana and across a wide variety of industry sectors. Dana is the current President of the New Orleans Bar Association. She is a Past President of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Society, a Board Member of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Institute, and the Founding Chapter President of the South Louisiana Women’s Energy Network. Dana has received numerous awards including the Louisiana State Bar Association President’s Award (2008), the Top 50 “Leaders in Law” Award (2007, 2013), and the Crystal Gavel Award (2014). Dana was recently named to New Orleans City Business - Women of the Year 2017.
Regina Speed - Bost Partner
Reed smith, LLP Regina Speed-Bost co-leads Reed Smith’s federal (FERC) and state regulatory team as a part of the firm’s Global Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Industry Group. Created in 2017, this part of Reed Smith’s Global ENR Group represents a wide variety of interest in the energy sector. Regina represents clients in multimillion dollar, complex administrative rate matters, including administrative litigation; and enforcement and compliance matters. Regina also serves as Reed Smith’s DC Office Chair for the Firm’s Global Leadership Diversity Committee. Prior to joining Reed Smith, Regina was Managing Partner of the Washington, DC Office and Energy Practice Group Leader at Schiff Hardin, LLP where she also chaired that firm’s diversity committee, initiated and advanced the development of the firm’s Inclusion Networks (affinity groups) and lead the Black and African-American Attorney Inclusion Network.
Minority Lawyer In Majority Firm Nominees Lakeisha marsh Partner
Akerman, LLP LaKeisha Marsh is the Chair of the Higher Education and Collegiate Athletics practice at Akerman, LLP in Chicago. She represents institutions across the entire spectrum of postsecondary education, including public and private colleges and universities. She provides a comprehensive range of litigation, transactional, and counseling services to colleges, universities, athletic conferences, and associations. Not only does she manage a demanding and thriving practice at Akerman, she mentors young lawyers, leads firmwide initiatives, and holds a number of leadership positions within the firm. A California native, her passion for education, sports, and dance taught her the importance of helping others. She has built a foundation centered around a work ethic that balances personal and professional achievement with community involvement, serving on the Board of Girls in the Game and Leadership Council for Posse Foundation.
Gloria Carr Shareholder
Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A. Gloria Carr was born and raised in Brooksville, Florida. She is a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, the University of South Florida and Stetson University College of Law. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2002. Gloria is a Shareholder/Partner with the Orlando law firm of Dean, Ringers, Morgan and Lawton, P.A, where she specializes in complex commercial and construction litigation, civil litigation, premises liability, and governmental liability defense. She serves as defense counsel to corporate, non-profit, governmental and private clients. Gloria also serves on the Board of the Central Florida Urban League and volunteers throughout the central Florida community. She is a member of the National Bar Association, the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association, its affiliate the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association and the African American Chamber of Commerce. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Robin Nunn Partner
Davis WRight Termaine, LLP Robin Nunn is a partner and co-leader of the supervision, enforcement, and litigation group at Davis Wright Tremaine. Ms. Nunn has a full-scope practice that handles regulatory, enforcement, litigation, and transactional matters. Her practice includes counseling clients on consumer regulatory matters, particularly representing companies in legal counseling, regulatory proceedings, and defending corporate and individual clients in matters initiated by federal and state government regulators, as well as in litigation and internal investigations. Ms. Nunn also maintains an active pro bono practice and was selected to be on the DC Access to Justice Commission’s Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, celebrating lawyers with fifty or more hours of pro bono service. Ms. Nunn is a passionate advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and was selected to be DWT’s first LCLD Fellow and a member of DWT’s Future Leaders program.
Lisa N. Collins Partner
Baker Hostetler, LLP Lisa is an Intellectual Property and Litigation Partner at Baker Hostetler. Lisa has substantially increased the firm’s relationship with a significant client and secured a new relationship with a worldwide software and services company. Lisa is very active in the Atlanta community and serves as a mentor for women of color within and outside of the firm. Lisa serves on the Executive Board for the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA). Attorney Collins is a member of Georgetown leaders and serves as Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgetown Club of Metropolitan Atlanta, an alumni association for graduates of Georgetown University. Attorney Collins was a recipient of the Daily Report’s 2015 “On the Rise” award, a Georgia Super Lawyers “Rising Star and was recognized in the Daily Report Women Lawyer Edition (2009). Attorney Collins serves as the firm’s 2018 Fellow for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).
Minority Lawyer In Majority Firm Nominees Antoinette “Toni” Jackson Partner
Jones Walker, LLP Attorney Antoinette “Toni” Jackson has been practicing for over 25 years. She is Partner in the Houston office of Jones Walker where she practices in the area of affordable housing and community development financing. One of her most notable transactions was leading a team during a three phase $250 million development project in Texas. The development built over 500 units of needed affordable housing in the community. Attorney Jackson is a frequent lecturer and considered a thought leader in the area of affordable housing. She is a life members of the National Bar Association and a recent recipient of the NBA’s prestigious Wiley A. Branton Award. Attorney Jackson is a former Chair of the ABA Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law and the Houston Habitat for Humanity. She serves on the Texas Southern University Foundation Board and the TMSL Advisory Board. Attorney Jackson is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Solo Law Firm Nominees Of the approximately 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, according to the American Bar Association most recent report for 2016, 49% are solo practitioners. Solo practitioners are law firms with a single lawyer providing legal services in their practice area. Of the approximately 66,000 African-American lawyers in the U.S., approximately 60% are solo practitioners and over 40% of the AfricanAmerican lawyers are women. Because women lawyers with solo practices make up the backbone of the legal profession providing much needed legal services in the areas of family law, estates, personal injury and more, the NBA Women Lawyers Division is proud to announce its 2018 Solo Law Firm Women of Achievement nominees. Each of these women have worked hard to be servant leaders in their respective practice areas.
Denise Holmes Principal
Law office of Denise Holmes Attorney Denise Holmes is a sole practitioner in Atlanta, Georgia where she has practiced Family Law, Personal Injury and Employment Discrimination since 1999. She earned her BBA degree from Temple University and her Juris Doctorate from Atlanta Law School in Atlanta, Georgia in 1993. Attorney Holmes is a member of the National Bar Association, State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and a number of other legal organizations. She was indoctrinated into the Who’s Who of Black Atlanta in 2017. Attorney Holmes sponsored the first inaugural Steeple Awards in March 2016, the Georgia Entertainment Gala and Trumpet Awards and Omega Psi Phi Seersucker and Sundress event. She received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from Barack Obama for her dedication and volunteerism.
Michelle D. Craig Managing Partner
Transcendent Legal Attorney Craig serves as Managing Partner of Transcendent Legal. She holds dual degrees including a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and a Bachelor of the Civil Law (B.C.L.) from the Louisiana State University (LSU) Law Center. She also studied International and Comparative Law at the Université d’Aix Marseille III in Aix en Provence, France. As Managing Partner, she uses technology and cloud-computing to service start-ups and potentially high-growth companies with a variety of issues. In 2012, she Co-Founded DiversiTea, a Mentoring Organization. She also began service as a Board Member of the national organization, the Lawyer’s Committee on Civil Rights. During that same year, she was also a founder of The Urban League New Orleans Guild. In 2016, she was appointed to a position on the Downtown Development District. In 2017, she was appointed to the Executive Committee as Secretary of the Organization.
Solo Law Firm
Nominees Lisa ross Principal
Law Office of Lisa Ross Attorney Lisa Ross is a graduate of Jackson State University and the University of California, Hastings College of Law. She is the founder of the Lisa Ross Attorney at Law in Jackson, Mississippi. Known as a fierce advocate for her clients, often handling high profile cases, Attorney Ross represents clients in the area of criminal defense, personal injury, wrongful death and employment. Attorney Ross is a member of the National Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association. She has served as delegate for the Democratic Party on numerous occasions.
Patricia Rosier Partner
Rosier & Associates In 1994, Patricia Moore Rosier and her husband, Michael Rosier, co-founded the Small Firms and Solo Practitioners Division of the National Bar Association (SFSPD). For over twenty-four years, the SFSPD has provided a network for lawyers to be trained, collaborate and pool resources to elevate their practices and professional skills. Attorney Rosier is the creator of the Esquire Award to recognize outstanding members of SFSPD. She is a Past President of the National Bar Association and she and her husband made history as the first spouses to be elected President. Attorney Rosier has been a mentor to countless young and even more senior lawyers. She was invited to join the prestigious International Women’s Forum. Having achieved professional success, she is the recipient of numerous awards including the C. Francis Stradford Award, the National Bar Association’s highest award.
Florence M. Johnson Partner
Johnson & Johnson, PLLC Florence M. Johnson is a partner in the firm of Johnson and Johnson, PLLC where she practices in labor and employment law. Attorney Johnson received her B.A. from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and her J.D. degree from Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Attorney Johnson is a long serving member of the National Bar Association. Attorney Johnson serves on the ABA’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession, TBA’s Commission for Racial and Ethnic Diversity as well as the Board of Directors for the Memphis Bar Association. Attorney Johnson currently serves as the President of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association in Memphis.
Erika Green Managing Attorney
Law Office of Erika Green, LLC Erika L. Green is native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the managing attorney for the Law Office of Erika Green, LLC. She focuses her practice on Family Law, Personal Injury, Juvenile Criminal, and Successions Matters. Recently, she has started consulting Faith Based Non-Profits and Small Businesses. The Law Office of Erika Green, LLC is a small Southern law firm that offers each client a personal experience while providing resources and services of a large firm. Erika Green is a representative for the District 5 seat on the Metro Council of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. She was appointed by the council in January 2016 to fill the vacancy left by Ronnie Edwards’ election to the Louisiana House of Representatives. She then went on to win the seat in the general election on December 10, 2016. Green earned her B.S. in criminal justice from Prairie View A&M University. She later received her J.D. from Southern University Law Center.
Solo Law firm Nominees Aimee Griffin Principal The Griffin Firm Aimee Griffin is the principal for The Griffin Firm with offices in Washington DC, Upper Marlboro and Baltimore, Maryland, Atlanta GA and Durham, NC. All employees of this small firm are African American women including five attorneys. Aimee’s commitment to empowerment through education has been demonstrated through her publications in the Washington Informer, Atlanta Voice and Triangle Tribune. In addition Aimee has provided legal seminars for the Black banks, namely Industrial Bank, Harbor, Citizens Trust and Mechanics and Farmers. Aimee is the chartering founder of the Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals. This nonprofit annually hosts the “Creating a Legacy Financial Summit & Conference” with the five partnering Black banks and the US Black Chambers.
Judicial
Nominees The Honorable Patricia D. Wise Fifth Chancery Court - District for Mississippi THE HONORABLE PATRICE D. WISE was elected in 1989, as a Chancellor of the Fifth Chancery Court District for Mississippi. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi. Judge Wise was the first female President of the Magnolia Bar Association, an affiliate chapter of the National Bar Association. She is former Chair of the Mississippi Judicial Performance Commission that handles all complaints concerning the State Judiciary. Judge Wise is a life member of the NAACP, a former Board Member of the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce. Judge Wise is a member of the American Bar Association, Hinds County Bar Association, Conference of Chancery Court Judges, National Bar Association, and graduate of the National Judicial College. She is also a member and former State Coordinator of the National Association of Women Judges and she served as the District Director for the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana.
The Honorable Piper Griffin Civil District Court, Parish of Orleans Div. 1 Current Chair of the Louisiana Judicial Council and recognized as a judicial pacesetter, The Honorable Piper Griffin is a judge of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, Division “I”, where she has served since her election in 2001. Judge Piper received her J.D. from LSU School of Law in 1987 and she holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame where she has been designated as one of the 50 most distinguished Black graduates. Piper serves as Chair of the Louisiana 4th and 5th Circuit Judges Association, Secretary - Louisiana Judicial Council Foundation; Treasurer - Louisiana District Judges Association; President - St. Katharine Drexel Prep High School Board of Directors; President - Crescent City Chapter of the Links, Inc.; member of the testing committee of the LA Bar Examiners; member of LA the Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics; member of the LA Law Institute and member of the Board of Trustees of Second Baptist Church 6th District.
Minority Counselor TV is honored to produce the NBA Women Lawyers Division “Women of Achievement Awards” magazine. Congratulations nominees, we look forward to telling your story in the web series. Jo Saint-George, Founder
Judicial Nominees The Honorable Tiffany Gautier Chase Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Tiffany Gautier Chase was elected to the bench of Orleans Parish Civil District Court in 2007 and to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018. Judge Chase has enjoyed a reputation of being thoroughly prepared and decisive on the issues that come before her but her busy caseload has not stopped her from giving back and ensuring access to justice for others. In 2010, Judge Chase worked closely with the Louisiana Bar Association-Access to Justice Committee to create Civil District Court’s Self-Represented Litigant Help Desk, the first self-contained legal help desk in a Louisiana court. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Loyola University and her Juris Doctorate from the Loyola University School of Law. She began her legal career as a law clerk at the Louisiana Supreme Court.
The Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Louisiana THE HONORABLE NANNETTE JOLIVETTE BROWN was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana by President Barack Obama and began active service on October 5, 2011. She is the first African American woman appointed to the U.S. District Court in the State of Louisiana in the Court’s 200-year history on May 9, 2018, became the first African-American to serve as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Dist. of Louisiana. Prior to her appointment, Judge Brown was Deputy Mayor and City Attorney for the City of New Orleans. Prior to that, she was a Partner with the firm of Chaffe McCall, LLP where she had a varied practice in commercial and environmental litigation. Judge Brown received a B.A. in English-Journalism from the Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1985, a J.D. from Tulane Law School in 1988, an LL.M. in Energy and Environmental Law from Tulane Law School in 1998, and mediation and negotiation training from Harvard Law School in 2008.
The Honorable Bernice B. Donald U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit THE HONORABLE BERNICE B. DONALD, a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Prior to being appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals by President Obama, she served on the U.S. District Court for more than fifteen years. Judge Donald is an active member of the National Bar Association, currently serving as Program Chair of the Judicial Council Division, where she has organized numerous CLE programs bringing in outstanding speakers and providing invaluable information to the council. Judge Donald is active in the American Bar Association, serving on the House of Delegates and as the current Chair of the Center for Human Rights. She has served as faculty at the National Judicial College, the Federal Judicial Center, and the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center & School and numerous international programs. Recently, she chaired a committee which published a resource guide for judges on implicit bias titled, Enhancing Justice: Reducing Bias.
Congratulations Women of Achievement! The law firm of Courington, Kiefer and Sommers, LLC. (CFC) congratulates the NBA Women Lawyers Division Women of Achievement. Our firm prides itself on achieving the best for our clients and we know “achievement” when we see it! Troy has served as an Administrative Law Judge for the City of New Orleans, and he has served on National and Regional Trial Teams for National Clients. He has tried numerous cases throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, and he has managed thousands of complex mass tort claims.
Corporate Counsel Nominees Kimberly Phillips Global Litigation, Associate General Counsel Shell Oil Company - Americas Kimberly serves as Associate General Counsel, Global Litigation-Americas for Shell Oil Company where she is responsible for overseeing all of Shell’s litigation matters in the Americas region. Her team of nearly 60 legal professionals, including 35 lawyers, manages litigation in 14 countries throughout the region. She is a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel and the National Bar Association. As part of the NBA, Kimberly has served in many capacities, including as Chair of both the Commercial Law Section and Budget Committee. Appointed by the Governor of Texas, she served six years on the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, and 3 years on the Houston Police Officers Civil Service Commission, at the appointment of the Mayor. Kimberly earned her undergraduate degree from Central Missouri State University, and her Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, as class valedictorian.
Dorothy Capers Executive Vice president, Global General Counsel National Express Ms. Dorothy Capers has been North American General Counsel of National Express since June 15, 2015. She was promoted Executive Vice President and Global General counsel on April 1, 2018 to oversee all legal operations. She is a corporate attorney and legal business partner with more than 30 years of extensive in-house, government and private … law firm experience, primarily in the areas of litigation and litigation management. She joined National Express after serving as Chief Litigation and Bankruptcy counsel for US Foods, where she led the teams supporting more than 70 locations in numerous states. Ms. Capers served as President of the Black Women Lawyer’s Association of Greater Chicago. She serves as a Board member of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation. Ms. Capers holds a JD from Howard University School of Law and a BA in Speech Communication and History from the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign.
Monica Wharton Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer Methodist Le Bonheur healthcare Attorney Monica Wharton is the Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, the second largest private employer in the Memphis Community with over 13,000 employees. Attorney Wharton is the first African American Senior Vice President and General Counsel in the organization’s 100th year history, and the only African American female to hold the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel at two major healthcare organizations within the Memphis region. Attorney Wharton has mentored many African American female attorneys desiring opportunities in the healthcare setting and has recruited a diverse team of leaders. She worked with the University of Memphis School of Law to ensure that African American students are aware of and given the opportunity to gain legal experiences in the healthcare setting.
Renee E. Becker Chief Counsel, Corporate & Securities Caesars Entertainment Corporation As Chief Counsel, Corporate & Securities at Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Ms. Becker oversees Caesars Entertainment’s mergers & acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and corporate governance matters. In 2017, Ms. Becker played a critical role in leading Caesars Entertainment through a complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Ms. Becker has served as a board member of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc. and Operation HOPE, a non-profit focused on financial literacy. Ms. Becker received her Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School and her undergraduate degree in French with a minor in Economics from The Ohio State University.
Corporate Counsel Nominees Sandra Diggs Miller Assistant General Counsel
Entergy Services, Inc.
Attorney Diggs-Miller is the Assistant General Counsel with the Entergy Services, Inc., Legal Department. She earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1998 from Loyola University School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. Attorney Diggs-Miller is a trained diversity facilitator through the Louisiana State Bar Association. In April 2016 she received the Loyola Moot Court Distinguished Alumni Award, and in March of 2017 she received the Karl J. Conner Alumni Award from the Loyola A.P. Tureaud Chapter of the Black Law Student Association. Attorney Diggs-Miller previously served as a Mayoral appointee to the Regional Planning Commission, which serves Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes. She currently serves on the boards of the Louisiana Civil Justice Center, The First Tee of Greater New Orleans, KID Smart, and the R.C. Blakes Sr. Scholarship Foundation.
Vicki D. Blanton Assistant Vice president & Senior Counsel
AT&T
Vicki D. Blanton, Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel for AT&T Inc., has primary legal responsibility for the defined benefit plans ($50B+ in assets), the disability plans, severance plans, HIPAA compliance and ERISA litigation support, and as Assistant Secretary of the AT&T Federal PAC. Vicki serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Dallas Bar Association, board member for the American Red Cross DFW Chapter, and appointee to the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the U.S.N.D. of Texas. During her presidency, J.L. Turner Legal Association won accolades from the State Bar of Texas and the National Bar Association. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University School of Law,and Georgetown University’s Executive Development Program at the London School of Economics.
Political Nominee
The American Bar Association reported during its February 2018 conference “Challenges and Rewards for Women in Politics” that the U.S. is ranked 104 in the world for women in government, which ranks far behind the countries neighboring country, British Columbia which is ranked 50. Women hold 22 percent of 100 seats in the U.S. Senate and 19.3 percent of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives. These numbers indicate that women were less likely to run for office, more likely to underestimate their qualifications, and more likely to see campaigns as more difficult, and didn’t think highly enough of themselves to run for office. Because of these statistics, the NBA Women Lawyers Division has created a new class of Women of Achievement award titled “Women in Politics”. Below is the 2018 nominee.
Katrina Jackson State Representative Louisiana State Legislature Rep. Jackson is the Chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. She is a member of the Democratic Caucus; Secretary of the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus; and a member of the Louisiana Rural Caucus. In 2012, she was also appointed to serve as an interim member of House and Governmental Affairs. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law and Legal Studies from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and a Juris Doctor Degree in 2004, from Southern University Law Center. Ms. Jackson began honing her skills and talents as a practicing attorney with the Law Offices of Willie Hunter, Jr. practicing in both the Monroe and Baton Rouge areas. Ms. Jackson worked as the Attorney for Labor & Industrial Relations Committee of the Louisiana House of Representatives and as Executive Director of Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. In 2012, Ms. Jackson opened her private law firm, Katrina R. Jackson LLC. Ms. Jackson attributes her accomplishments to not just having a dream, but having a dream that lines up with God’s plan for her life.
Government/Public Services
Nominees Antoinette Barksdale General Counsel United State Department of Justice, Community Relations Services Antoinette Barksdale is the General Counsel at the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Community Relations Service (CRS). Antoinette is responsible for all aspects of legal matters and high-level programmatic matters at CRS. She has successfully handled complex civil rights cases for DOJ for over 17 years and 25 years for the federal government. Antoinette is a dedicated public servant, leader, and role model, and serves on the following Boards: Nation’s Capital Girl Scout Council and the Women Lawyers Division (WLD). From 2012-2014, she served as Chair of the WLD. During her tenure, the WLD received the Outstanding Division of the Year Award and she raised over $12,000 for the WLD. Antoinette has generously volunteered her time and resources to mentor young attorneys at DOJ, and tutor inner city youth at Malcolm X Elementary School and Thurgood Marshall Academy. She believes that “To whom much is given, much is expected.” She participates in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Race for the Cure, the Lawyers Have Heart 10K race, and the 39.2 mile Avon Breast Cancer walk.
Arlene D. Knighten Executive Counsel Louisiana Department of Insurance Arlene D. Knighten served as Executive Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Insurance until June 2018. Prior to her appointment as Executive Counsel, she served as Deputy General Counsel. She also served as an ethic’s officer. She holds the NAIC designation of Senior Professional of Insurance Regulation (SPIR). She is also a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP). Arlene is a graduate of Loyola Law School in New Orleans and of Howard University in Washington, D.C. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies. Arlene is a seminar speaker in the area of Ethics, Professionalism, Corporate Governance, Insurance Regulation and church law issues. She is a member of the National Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, and other legal and professional organizations.
Deidre Deculus Robert General Counsel Southern University and A&M College System Building upon her legal career in public service, Deidre serves as the general counsel for Southern University and A&M College System. A native of Mamou, Louisiana and graduate of Louisiana State University and Southern University Law Center, her legal career began in the Parish Attorney’s Office of the City of Baton Rouge-Parish of East Baton Rouge as an assistant city prosecutor. During her eleven years with the City-Parish she rose through the ranks to become the first female African-American section chief, serving as the personnel section chief wherein she represented and defended the CityParish in employment matters. Thereafter, she served as the deputy director of both the public protection and litigation divisions of the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. A servant-leader at heart, Deidre is active in her local and legal community.
Doreen Rachal Assistant U.S. Attorney United States Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts Attorney Doreen Rachal currently serves as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts United States Attorney’s Office in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, handling complex healthcare fraud cases. Ms. Rachal was one of two African Americans to serve as a manager in the office and the only African American woman. Under Attorney Rachal’s leadership, the forfeiture unit successfully prosecuted many high-profile cases and forfeited millions of dollars from defendants convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering, and white collar crimes. Attorney Rachal was committed to working on pro bono cases. She won several complex immigration cases and served as co-lead counsel in a high profile civil rights case involving the termination of 10 African America police officers. Ms. Rachal served as the Massachusetts Black Lawyer Association President, and her administration focused on educating the Boston community on interactions with law enforcement, special education law, housing laws, and CORI.
Government/Public Service
Nominees Natalie O. Ludaway Chief Duputy Attorney General D.C. Office of the Attorney General Natalie O. Ludaway was appointed Chief Deputy Attorney General by Attorney General Karl Racine on February 23, 2015. She is responsible for managing the daily operations of the 12 legal divisions of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) as the agency works to promote the public interest, protect the District’s most vulnerable residents, reform juvenile justice, protect consumers, and preserve affordable housing. Her daily work includes: overseeing and coordinating OAG’s representation of the District in defensive and affirmative litigation; directing OAG’s consumer protection work; overseeing OAG’s prosecutorial jurisdiction over all juvenile offenses and adult misdemeanors; directing OAG’s legislative affairs; overseeing OAG’s work in offering legal advice to the Executive Branch and other District agencies and officials; and oversight of OAG’s work to provide child support services.
Nichelle N. Holmes District Attorney Office of Contra Costa District Attorney Ms. Holmes is currently a gang prosecutor for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Holmes is the Co-President of the Bay Area Black Prosecutors Association (BABPA). She is also a member of the University of San Francisco School of Law Board of Governors. She is on the executive boards of Charles Houston Bar Association (CHBA) and California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL). Mrs. Holmes was formerly on the executive boards of the Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance Board as the representative from the Contra Costa DA’s Office and the Contra Costa District Attorneys’ Association. She is the proud recipient of the 2013 Misdemeanor Prosecutor of the Year Award and the 2015 Minority Bar Coalition Diversity Awards. Ms. Holmes is one of the founding members of the BABPA. Ms. Holmes received her B.A., with honors, in Sociology from Spelman College and her JD from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Rhonda Foxx Chief of Staff - Rep. Alma Adams U.S. House of Representatives Rhonda Foxx is the Chief of Staff to Representative Alma Adams (NC). She joined the Congresswoman’s office after working as the interim Campaign Manager and Finance Director to Red to Blue candidate Erin Bilbray. Prior to that, she worked as Director of Operations for Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX). Before her first stint on the Hill, she was a PAC/National Fundraiser for Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), and Yvette Clarke (NY). Rhonda began her political career as a Finance Assistant for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Before working on Capitol Hill, Rhonda served as the Executive Director/General Counsel for the London’s Bridge Foundation, a nonprofit operated by NFL Pro Bowler London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins. In this capacity she helped Mr. Fletcher earn National Football League Man of the Year Honors. She earned her B.A. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her law degree from the George Washington University Law School.
Congratulations!
2018
Women of Achievement
Government/Public Service
Nominees Jennifer A. Riley-Collins Executive Director American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Jennifer A. Riley-Collins, is the Executive Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi. She has authored/co-authored a number of professional publications and training materials that include: Mississippi, An Assessment of Access to Counsel and Quality of Representation in Youth Court Proceedings, Published by the National Juvenile Defense Center - Fall 2007, Handcuffs in Hallways, Published by the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law - Winter 2017, and Striking the Right Balance: An Analysis of Body Worn Cameras in Mississippi Published by the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi – Winter 2018. Jennifer is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Alcorn State University. She received a Masters of Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Central and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Mississippi College School of Law. Attorney Riley-Collins has served for 32 years as a Military Intelligence Officer. She also has received the Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Distinction.
Khyla D. Craine Assistant General Counsel NAACP Attorney Khyla D. Craine is the Assistant General Counsel with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) where she continues the fight for those who otherwise have no voice. Khyla is responsible for reviewing and editing legal briefs involving civil rights claims for argument before state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Her efforts are evident in many highly publicized cases including the NAACP amicus brief to U. S. Supreme Court in Fisher v. University of Texas—Austin, Texas Dept. of Housing v. ICP, and Evenwel v. Abbott. Other high profile work includes instrumental litigation related to the Voting Rights Act, Census 2020, Clean Water Act, National Voter Registration Act violations, the Flint, Michigan Water Crisis, and more. Khyla is a graduate of Howard University School of Law and South Carolina State University. An active member of the National Bar Association, Khyla is a former chair of the NBA Young Lawyers’ Division and a recipient of the NBA’s 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates Award (2016).
Lani P. Shaw Counsel - Enforcement & Compliance Comptroller of the Currency Attorney Lani P. Shaw is Counsel in the Enforcement & Compliance Division of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. In this role, Attorney Shaw supervises and regulates national banks to ensure that they operate in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with laws requiring fair treatment and fair access to financial products. Attorney Shaw is a 2014 recipient of the NBA’s 40 under 40 Award and a 2010 Recipient of the NBA’s Young Lawyer of the Year Award. She is a past president of GWAC and a past chair of the NBA’s Government Lawyer’s Division. Attorney Shaw serves as an elected member of the Church Council for the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA and she is also a Director of the Alfred Street Baptist Church Foundation, an organization that has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to deserving youth. Attorney is a graduate of Hampton University (summa cum laude) and a 2005 graduate of Howard University School of Law.
Mary L. Harried Public Defender Caddo Public Defender Office Mary L. Harried was born in Natchez, MS and raised in New Orleans, LA. Mary received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Xavier University of New Orleans and a Juris Doctor Degree from Southern University Law School. Mary was admitted to the practice of law on April 28, 1995. She worked as a staff attorney with North Louisiana Legal Services from September 1995 to December 1997. Currently, she is a criminal defense attorney with the Caddo Public Defender Office in Shreveport, LA. During her tenure with the Public Defender Office, she has held the positions of staff attorney, section chief/supervising attorney, and training supervisor. Her duties included training and mentoring other attorneys, conducting various criminal trials. She has successfully argued a case at the Louisiana Supreme Court. She is currently Deputy District Defender in the Caddo Parish Public Defender Office.
Young Lawyer Nominees Ashley L. Upkins Principal
Upkins Law, PLLC Attorney Ashley L. Upkins is the Founder of Upkins Law, PLLC, where she represents corporate entities as well as individuals. Ashley is admitted to the Tennessee bar and Ashley is a native of Nashville earning her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. Following her undergraduate studies, Ashley worked for a Fortune 50 technology company. Ashley is a member of the inaugural class of Belmont University College of Law with a certification in Health Law. Determined to join an organization aimed at promoting justice in the law, Ashley committed her time and talents to the National Bar Association. Ashley worked to create a NBLSA affiliate chapter at Belmont and became the Founding President of Belmont Law’s Black Law Students Association. Attorney Upkins was the 2018 Recipient of the Jean Marie Sylla Scholarship presented by the Commercial Law Section. Ashley currently serves as the Region VI Director for the National Bar association
Amber Floyd Senior Associate
Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP Amber Floyd is a Senior Associate at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP in Memphis, Tennessee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate disputes, and government affairs. Ms. Floyd has served as President of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association and is currently a member of the board of directors for the Chapter. She is the current Access to Justice Chair for the Memphis Bar Association (MBA) and Vice Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity. Ms. Floyd has coordinated expungement clinics in Nashville, Memphis and rural parts of TN since 2016, assisting more than 1,500 individuals. Her efforts in Tennessee inspired her colleagues in Kentucky to host the largest expungement clinic ever in that state. Ms. Floyd was recognized by the ABA as one of its “On the Rise--Top 40 Young Lawyers” in 2017.
Ashely Heilprin Attorney
Attorney Ashley Heilprin serves as the President of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Society, Inc., an NBA local affiliate. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Public Policy in 2007 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She obtained her juris doctorate and Master’s in Public Policy in 2013 from William & Mary. Ashley is a litigation associate with the New Orleans office of Phelps Dunbar, LLP, where she focuses her practice on commercial litigation, general business torts, and casualty litigation. She currently serves as a member of the board of directors for a charter school organization, Collegiate Academies, and for the ACLU of Louisiana. She is a member of the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a 2014 graduate of Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans, and a 2016 graduate of the Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum.
Petrina Johns Counsel
State Farm’s Property & Casualty Claims Attorney Johns joined State Farm’s Property and Casualty Claim Counseling Unit in 2016, where she provides counsel on auto coverage and claim related issues in Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Louisiana. Petrina is a member of the department’s Summer Legal Intern Committee and Recruitment and Retention Committee. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Dillard University and her Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center. Petrina has more than ten years of P & C claims related experience in a variety of professional/technical and leadership roles at State Farm, AIG and The Hanover Insurance Group. Attorney Johns is on the board of directors for Project Oz which provides supportive services to youth and their families. She also serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in McLean County, a mentor and volunteers with the YFU International Educational Exchange Program.
Young Lawyer Nominees
Kimberley Ann Ward Counsel Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation Kimberley Ann Ward is In-house Counsel at Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation, a medical devices manufacturer and distributor, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ms. Ward specializes in commercial transactions, and is responsible for complex global commercial agreements, and compliance. Subsequent to a company reorganization, Ms. Ward became the sole attorney onsite at the Michigan headquarters, where she successfully maintained the high-volume requirements of the corporate legal department, while also acting as Corporate Secretary. Ms. Ward is actively involved in the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, as a Board Member, Chair of the Membership committee, and Co-Chair of the Community Action Committee. Ms. Ward was recently elected President-Elect of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association and is honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve the members of the bar association, and the community.
Hidden Figure Nominees
The NBA Women Lawyers Division is proud to announce its inaugural class of Women of Achievement awards titled the “Hidden Figure” award. This award will be given to a woman who has reached great achievements in her legal career, but her successes have either gone unrecognized, have been over-looked or marginally appreciated notwithstanding the magnitude of the achievements. Below are the list of nominees that the WLD considers “Hidden Figures”.
Lacy Durham Senior Manager Deloitte Tax LLP’s Global Employer Services Attorney Lacy Durham is a Senior Manager in Deloitte Tax LLP’s Global Employer Services (GES) Rewards practice. She specializes in retirement plans, executive compensation, fringe benefits and health & welfare plan consulting. Attorney Durham is a Past Chair of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division where she served as the domestic and international ambassador to young lawyers throughout Europe, Africa, and Canada. Under her leadership, she brought national attention through three signature initiatives including What Do Lawyers Do, a program aimed at increasing the pipeline of diverse students to law school by focusing on those students matriculating at Historically Black Colleagues and Universities. Attorney Durham earned degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She also holds an MBA from Louisiana Tech University, a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center and a LLM in Taxation from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
Kim Boyle Partner Phelps Dunbar LLP Kim Boyle is a partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP where she practices in the areas of labor and employment, civil rights, constitutional law, commercial, tort and general litigation. Attorney Boyle was recognized by Benchmark Litigation as one of the Top 250 Women in US Litigation in 2017. Ms. Boyle served as the first female African-American President of the Louisiana State Bar Association (2009-2010) as well as the first African-American President of the New Orleans Bar Association (2002-2003). She currently serves as a Board and an executive committee member for Tulane University and the New Orleans Business Alliance. She also serves as Chairman of the Board for the Amistad Research Center and is a Board member for Touro Infirmary. Ms. Boyle formerly served as Judge Pro Tempore for Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, as well as an Assistant Professor of Law at Loyola University College of Law. She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1987 and her A.B. from Princeton University in 1984.
hidden figure Nominees Cynthia N. Reed Director, Alumni Affairs and Continuing Legal Education Southern University Law Center Attorney Cynthia N. Reed is the director of Alumni Affairs and Continuing Legal Education at Southern University Law Center (SULC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Attorney Reed serves as an intermediary between students and alumni to assist with career development and networking opportunities. She maintains the alumni database, and conducts research to keep abreast of market trends to determine the best topics for continuing legal education seminars. During her tenure at Southern University Law Center, Attorney Reed has mentored, inspired and encouraged thousands of students on their journey to receive a juris doctorate degree. Attorney Reed has served as an instructor and writing fellow in the supplemental bar exam preparation course conducted at SULC. As an adjunct professor at the law center, she teaches Advanced Legal Writing to second year law students and Family Law to first year law students. Attorney Reed received her B.A. from Mercer University and her J.D. from Southern University Law Center.
Michelle L. Kazadi Mediator/Jude pro Tem/Family Law Specialist/Adjunct Professor Michelle L. Kazadi is a 20-year veteran attorney who has devoted her practice almost exclusively to the area of family law. She recently passed the Family Law Specialist Exam and is currently awaiting approval of her application by the State Board of Specialization. In addition to her family law litigation practice, she is also a Judge Pro Tem with the Temporary Judge Program of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. In her role as Judge Pro Tem, Ms. Kazadi presides over all matters in family court. She is also a mediator and an adjunct professor at West Los Angeles College, teaching courses in law and paralegal studies. She completed her Board Governance training at the African American Board Leadership Institute and is currently serving on the boards of Black Women Lawyers of Los Angles, Inc., California Women Lawyers, Open Paths Counseling Center and Diamonds in the Raw Foundation. She is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C. and the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, at the University of Louisville.
Regina Speed - Bost Partner
Reed Smith, LLP Regina Speed-Bost co-leads Reed Smith’s federal (FERC) and state regulatory team as a part of the firm’s Global Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Industry Group. Created in 2017, this part of Reed Smith’s Global ENR Group represents a wide variety of interest in the energy sector. Regina represents clients in multi-million dollar, complex administrative rate matters, including administrative litigation; and enforcement and compliance matters. Regina also serves as Reed Smith’s DC Office Chair for the Firm’s Global Leadership Diversity Committee. Prior to joining Reed Smith, Regina was Managing Partner of the Washington, DC Office and Energy Practice Group Leader at Schiff Hardin, LLP where she also chaired that firm’s diversity committee, initiated and advanced the development of the firm’s Inclusion Networks (affinity groups) and lead the Black and African-American Attorney Inclusion Network.
Jennifer A. Riley- Collins Executive Director
American civil Liberties Union of Mississippi Jennifer A. Riley-Collins, is the Executive Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi. She has authored/co-authored a number of professional publications and training materials that include: Mississippi, An Assessment of Access to Counsel and Quality of Representation in Youth Court Proceedings, Published by the National Juvenile Defense Center - Fall 2007, Handcuffs in Hallways, Published by the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law - Winter 2017, and Striking the Right Balance: An Analysis of Body Worn Cameras in Mississippi Published by the ACLU, MS 2017. Jennifer is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Alcorn State University. She received a Masters of Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Central and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Mississippi College School of Law. Attorney RileyCollins has served for 32 years as a Military Intelligence Officer. She also has received the Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Distinction.
Congratulations! 2018 Women of Achievement Juan Thomas, Esq. President – 2017-2018 National Bar Association
To purchase tickets or sponsor the “Women of Achievement” Awards Breakfast Go to: https://www.eventbrite.com & search NBA WLD Awards Breakfast
www.Nationalbar.org