Areva Martin
Founding Partner, Martin & Martin, LLP

Areva Martin is an award‑winning civil rights attorney and founding principal of Martin & Martin, LLP, a premier Black female‑owned law firm in Los Angeles. A Harvard Law alumna and five‑time California Super Lawyer, she has led landmark cases involving wrongful termination, police misconduct, disability and reparations. Beyond her legal work, Areva is a bestselling author and media legal analyst, hosting Areva Martin in Real Time and founding the autism advocacy nonprofit Special Needs Network.

Joey Jackson
Founding Partner, Joey Jackson Law

Joey Jackson (b. September 15, 1966) is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney and labor law specialist based in New York City. He began his legal career as Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan (1995–1998), before founding JOEY JACKSON LAW, PLLC. Mr. Jackson represents individuals and union members in complex state and federal matters, earning the Distinguished Public Service Award, and frequently appears on CNN, HLN, and other networks as a legal analyst.

Zulu Ali
Zulu Ali Associates

Zulu Ali is the founding principal of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP—the largest Black-owned law firm in California’s Inland Empire. A former police officer and U.S. Marine, he holds a J.D. from Trinity International University, master’s degrees in administration of justice and business, and a degree in African studies. Ali serves on counsel lists for the International Criminal Court and the African Court of Justice, and leads outreach initiatives like Stop & Frisk Youth Leadership and a Veterans Legal Clinic.

Whitney Ali
Alongside her father, Zulu Ali

Whitney Ali is a partner at the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP—recognized as the largest Black-owned law firm in California’s Inland Empire. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from UC Riverside and J.D. from John F. Kennedy University College of Law. Whitney joined the firm’s legal team in 2015 under her father’s mentorship and became a partner in 2020. She specializes in criminal defense and immigration law and has been honored as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent in Law & Justice. National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 list.

Terrance J. Evans
Partner in Duane Morris

Terrance J. Evans is a partner in Duane Morris’s San Francisco and Los Angeles offices. In early 2025, he was named Loren D. Miller Attorney of the Year by the California Association of Black Lawyers, honoring his multimillion-dollar trial and appellate victories across federal and state courts. Co-leader of Duane Morris’s Banking & Finance group, Evans also chairs the firm’s San Francisco Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and serves as chair of the California Lawyers Association.

Tiffiny Nicole Blacknell
Deputy Public Defender

Tiffiny Nicole Townend Blacknell (born November 14, 1976) is a native of Inglewood, California, and a graduate of USC Gould School of Law. She served as a Deputy Public Defender in Los Angeles County for over 18 years, representing clients on serious felony and juvenile cases while also advocating for criminal justice reform. In 2018, she was featured in Macy’s “Find the Remarkable You” campaign. Blacknell is noted for her leadership, community activism, and commitment to equity.

Theodora Rochelle Lee
senior partner at Littler Mendelson

Theodora R. Lee is a distinguished senior partner at Littler Mendelson in San Francisco, with nearly four decades of experience in labor and employment litigation. A University of Texas Law graduate (1987) and Spelman alumna, she specializes in wage and hour class actions, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and workplace disputes. A certified AAA arbitrator and mediator, Lee has resolved over 1,000 cases and serves on the American Board of Trial Advocates.

James L. Noble
Associate Attorney @ Hahn & Hahn LLP

James L. Noble is an associate attorney at Hahn & Hahn LLP in Pasadena, California. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School and a B.A. from Loyola Marymount University. Specializing in civil litigation, employment, and personal injury law, he supports clients through all stages of trial and resolution. Known for perseverance, attention to detail, and strong legal research skills, Noble was named one of California’s Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyers by The National Black Lawyers in April 2024.

Ben L. Crump
Leading National Civil Rights Attorney

Benjamin L. Crump (b. October 10, 1969) is a nationally renowned civil rights and wrongful-death attorney based in Tallahassee, Florida, with major impact in California through high‑profile litigation. A graduate of Florida State University (B.A., J.D.), he founded Ben Crump Law, representing families of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Stephon Clark. Crump has won multimillion-dollar settlements and serves as President of the National Civil Rights Trial Lawyers Association, continuously advancing systemic reform in th U.S..

John L. Burris
legendary Civil Rights Attorney

John L. Burris (b. May 8, 1945) is a legendary Oakland‑based civil rights attorney with over five decades in police misconduct and Section 1983 litigation. A University of California, Berkeley MBA/JD graduate, Burris represented plaintiffs including Rodney King and Oscar Grant, and was pivotal in the landmark Oakland Riders case leading to federal oversight of the police department. He continues to advocate tirelessly, having litigated over 1,000 civil rights cases, mentoring younger attorneys, continuously shaping systemic reform throughout California.