{"id":144952,"date":"2026-02-27T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/02\/27\/on-their-own-terms-the-power-of-entrepreneurship-for-black-women-in-law\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T15:00:00","slug":"on-their-own-terms-the-power-of-entrepreneurship-for-black-women-in-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/02\/27\/on-their-own-terms-the-power-of-entrepreneurship-for-black-women-in-law\/","title":{"rendered":"On Their Own Terms: The Power of Entrepreneurship for Black Women in Law"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Camille Stell | Entrepreneurship isn\u2019t the only path forward, but for Black women in law, it can be one of the most powerful. Advice from four solo attorneys.<br \/>\nThe post On Their Own Terms: The Power of Entrepreneurship for Black Women in Law appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>For many Black women attorneys, entrepreneurship isn\u2019t just a career path; it\u2019s a form of empowerment. Starting a law firm offers something the traditional legal structure often doesn\u2019t: agency, ownership, and authenticity. Here\u2019s advice from four solo practitioners on finding success as an entrepreneurial black woman lawyer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers.jpg?resize=770%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"An upward blue arrow representing entrepreneurial Black women lawyers charting a new path.\" class=\"wp-image-100050116\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\">\n<h2>Table of contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers\/#h-life-of-a-solo\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Life of a Solo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers\/#h-lessons-in-entrepreneurship\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lessons in Entrepreneurship<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers\/#h-leveraging-your-network-to-build-business\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Leveraging Your Network to Build Business<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers\/#h-building-a-niche-practice\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Building a Niche Practice<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers\/#h-thinking-like-a-ceo\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thinking Like a CEO<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers\/#h-the-importance-of-community\" data-level=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Importance of Community<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/entrepreneurial-black-women-lawyers\/#h-yes-i-am-the-attorney\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u2018Yes, I Am the Attorney\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Owning a firm allows Black women lawyers to design a professional life that aligns with their values and priorities, to build firms that reflect their communities, honor their lived experiences, and create workplace cultures that support other women and diverse professionals. <\/p>\n<p>Rather than waiting for an invitation to the partnership table, entrepreneurship gives them the chance to <em>own<\/em> the table. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about creating spaces where black women can lead, innovate, and thrive on their own terms.<\/p>\n<p>Entrepreneurship also offers the power to shape impact. Black women-owned firms often serve clients and communities that have historically been overlooked or underserved. That visibility and representation matter \u2014 not just for clients, but for the next generation of lawyers watching what\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-life-of-a-solo\">Life of a Solo<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI always thought I would spend five years at a firm learning the ropes before opening my own practice,\u201d says <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/reatter-neal\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reatter Neal<\/a>,<\/strong> a solo attorney in Franklin County, North Carolina. \u201cWhen that plan fell apart on the very day I was sworn in, I had to pivot quickly and bet on myself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/cybersecurity-best-practices-for-law-firms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Starting my own firm<\/a> wasn\u2019t part of my original timeline, but it became the path that allowed me to keep moving forward when traditional options disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.williamsbrunsonsolutions.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Louise Williams<\/strong>,<\/a> owner of William Brunson Solutions, has this to say about her path to entrepreneurship:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the biggest challenges in growing and starting my law firm has been in obtaining legacy wisdom, not just forms, but processes and strategy. I am a first-generation college degree and secondary degree graduate, and one of the first to establish a professional business. While I have learned the law and know certain things about practice, it has taken me a longer time to learn some of the secrets and processes that would propel my business forward faster.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Williams is not alone in thinking that it has taken her longer to move her business forward.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/in\/aviance-brown-esquire-516026a8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Aviance Brown<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>is a millennial lawyer from North Carolina and the host of the podcast\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blkandbarred.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Blk and Barred<\/a>. She tells the story of starting her law firm when, a few months later, a white male lawyer shared his document templates with her. It was an old folder, obviously passed down for a long time from lawyer to lawyer, and it included not only hundreds of templates, but also other valuable information that would make the process of creating and filing cases easier. As Brown says on the podcast, \u201cThese are things we don\u2019t have access to. Where I\u2019m starting from scratch, they have templates they\u2019re using to draft their motion. So it\u2019s taking me double, triple the time to do the research, draft it and file it, where they have a whole filing guide of \u2018here\u2019s how to file this.\u2019 At that moment, my eyes just opened. I\u2019m like, you what? Like, you had this straight starting out? And that\u2019s really how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown started her career in a mid-sized corporate law firm. \u201cFor the first few years of practice, I tried so hard to fit a mold that I would never fit into. I faced daily microaggressions, from comments about my hair to comments from a partner in which he expressed surprise about how \u2018articulate\u2019 I was.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She continues, \u201cFor years, I watered down some of my favorite parts of my identity to fit into a white-male-dominated profession that fed me false narratives on what was necessary to be a \u2018good lawyer.\u2019 Then one day, I decided that I wouldn\u2019t do it anymore. It\u2019s like a light bulb switched on and, just like that, I stopped code-switching. I decided it was OK for me to wear my festive nails, even in court. I could wear colorful suits and show my personality.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut beyond just the outer appearance, I also decided that it was OK for me to show up as my authentic, passionate self.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lessons-in-entrepreneurship\">Lessons in Entrepreneurship<\/h2>\n<p>So how can Black women in law become more entrepreneurial? Advice from these successful law firm owners centers on the importance of relationships, community, authenticity, and business mindset.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-leveraging-your-network-to-build-business\">Leveraging Your Network to Build Business<\/h3>\n<p>Leverage your network. Build relationships through bar associations, women\u2019s law groups, and affinity organizations that can offer mentorship, referrals, and support. Collaborate with other entrepreneurs \u2014 including those outside the legal field \u2014 to learn how they grow and sustain their businesses.<\/p>\n<p>Louise Williams says, \u201cI depend on organizations like Shades of Mass and Corporate Counsel Women of Color to buttress my \u2018operating wisdom\u2019 and to find mentors and sponsors and people that can meet me where I am, understand where I\u2019m coming from and speak to me in terms that I understand, as well as offer guidance from a place of respect and familiarity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Neal extended her network by joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in college. \u201cI learned early \u2014 through my sorority and later through law school \u2014 that relationships matter. Everyone struggles in law school, especially that first year, and those shared experiences create bonds that last.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I reached out for help after my job fell through, one attorney told me, \u2018I\u2019m not hiring, but I\u2019ll help you get started.\u2019 That made all the difference. He became my mentor and introduced me to other lawyers and people in the community. He took me to court with him and introduced me to all the judges. He helped me find my footing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown decided to give back to her community by creating her passion project, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blkandbarred.com\/podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Blk and Barred podcast<\/a>, a community for Black lawyers that also hosts in-person events and discussions, such as a monthly solo and small firm meet-up. She says, \u201cI created this space because in my eight years of practice, I\u2019ve come to learn that this profession can be isolating for practitioners of color, but we thrive in authentic community.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-building-a-niche-practice\">Building a Niche Practice<\/h3>\n<p>Another way to success as an entrepreneur is to identify a niche that aligns with your strengths and passions. Specialization can help you stand out and build credibility.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/neubiaharris\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Neubia <\/a><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/neubiaharris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Harris<\/strong><\/a> is a solo practitioner in Raleigh, North Carolina. \u201cFrom an early age, I learned to chart my own course. While I may have appeared to be a people-pleaser, I quietly resisted the status quo. Much of that independence came from my mother, who never constrained my ambitions. Whether I imagined myself as a doctor, lawyer, singer or athlete, she encouraged every possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlong the path to building my practice, my silent partner (my husband, Michael) and I welcomed two children, the first born just two weeks before the first U.S. COVID case was announced. What began as an unexpected entrepreneurial path ultimately gave me the life I envisioned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI choose the cases I accept. I am present for my children. I mentor and train the next generation of lawyers. I serve my community on my own terms.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Harris operates an education law firm that supports the dismantling of the school-to-prison pipeline by making sure that children of color, children with disabilities, and other marginalized youth are protected in our educational and juvenile justice systems.<\/p>\n<p>As she explains, \u201cDuring law school, I interned with Legal Aid of North Carolina. The work resonated deeply. My family and I have experienced many of the same challenges as our clients (e.g., housing instability, food insecurity, addiction, undiagnosed mental health needs, and a steadfast belief that faith alone would carry us through). I knew then that public-interest law would shape my career. While at Legal Aid, I was introduced to education law. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter yet another round of funding cuts, I transitioned [from legal aid] to a small firm focused on education advocacy. Although the work was meaningful, I was troubled by the barriers preventing many families, particularly families of color, from accessing representation due to high retainers. I was also constrained by decisions beyond my control: which cases I could litigate, how I structured my time, and whether I could serve my community pro bono. In 2018, following Hurricane Matthew, I decided to open my own practice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The transition from employee to entrepreneur was neither simple nor comfortable, Harris says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI relied heavily on available resources, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawyersmutual.com\/new-lawyer-toolkit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Lawyers Mutual Attorney Toolkit,<\/a> the NCBA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbar.org\/members\/benefits\/center-for-practice-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Center for Practice Management<\/a>, colleagues, CLEs and constant self-education. Imposter syndrome was persistent. There were frequent threats to sustainability and stability: a global pandemic, staffing challenges, limited resources, and the ongoing pressure of practicing law independently. Still, weeks became months, months became years, and before long I found myself among the few firms remaining with a primary focus on education law.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-thinking-like-a-ceo\">Thinking Like a CEO<\/h3>\n<p>Another key to success as an entrepreneur starts with a shift in mindset. Think like a CEO, not just a practitioner. Developing business acumen and financial literacy is essential.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the hardest parts of starting my firm was setting fees and realizing I was charging way below market rate,\u201d says Neal. \u201cI had to learn that it\u2019s OK \u2014 and necessary \u2014 to value my work and raise my rates. Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer, but running a firm forces you to learn how to think like a business owner.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-importance-of-community\">The Importance of Community<\/h3>\n<p>As law firm owners, black women lawyers have the power to control their time, shape their firm\u2019s culture, and determine their financial destiny. Just as important, however, ownership creates ripple effects, inspiring others, mentoring younger lawyers, and expanding access to justice in communities that need it most.<\/p>\n<p>Neal talks about the impact she hopes to make in her community: \u201cHelping people get their driver\u2019s licenses back has been one of the most meaningful parts of my work. In a rural community with no public transportation, that one issue affects jobs, finances and family stability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brown says, \u201cBecoming a solo helped me fall in love with the practice of law again. I care deeply about my cases and those that I serve, and rather than leave my emotions at the door, I pour them wholeheartedly into my work and advocate fiercely, on my own terms.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-yes-i-am-the-attorney\">\u2018Yes, I Am the Attorney\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>Neal shares her advice to any Black woman attorney, \u201cBe authentically and ethically you. You be the vision of a Black attorney.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Harris says, \u201cI continue to quietly, but firmly, defy the stereotypes and expectations long placed on professional Black women.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>No, I\u2019m not the paralegal.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Yes, I am the attorney.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>No, I will not tolerate abuse of my staff.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I suppose we\u2019ll see what the judge or jury decides.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Yes, I\u2019m happy to speak with your class.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cEntrepreneurship in the legal profession is demanding. Even so, it remains the best decision I have made, for my family, my clients and my community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For many Black women attorneys, entrepreneurship is much more than a career path; it\u2019s a form of empowerment. It\u2019s not just about running a firm. It\u2019s about leading a movement \u2014 one client, one community, one success story at a time.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Image \u00a9 iStockPhoto.com. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/subscribe\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"372\" height=\"106\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/AttorneyatWork-Logo-%C2%AE-2021-1.jpg?resize=372%2C106&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-100019522 size-aaw-full-width-no-crop\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Sign up for Attorney at Work\u2019s daily practice tips newsletter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/subscribe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/feeds.transistor.fm\/attorney-at-work-today\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">subscribe to our podcast<\/a>, Attorney at Work Today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile has-background\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3SEKKtd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Respect-An-Insight-to-Attorney-Compensation-Plans-Vol-2-Cover-1.jpg?resize=460%2C685&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"RESPECT book cover\" class=\"wp-image-100043263 size-full\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-respect-an-insight-to-attorney-compensation-plans\">RESPECT: An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans<\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Newly updated with more case studies.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Do you want to know more about designing and implementing compensation systems to grow and scale your law firm? <a href=\"https:\/\/brenda-barnes.com\/about\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brenda Barnes<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyersmutualnc.com\/our-company\/meet-the-team\/camille-stell\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Camille Stell <\/a>have written <em>a go-to guide on attorney compensation trends and best practices for small to midsize law firms.<\/em> <em>Available at<a href=\"https:\/\/lawofficemanagementbooks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">\u00a0lawofficemanagementbooks.com<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3SEKKtd\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Camille Stell | Entrepreneurship isn\u2019t the only path forward, but for Black women in law, it can be one of the most powerful. Advice from four solo attorneys. The post On Their Own Terms: The Power of Entrepreneurship for Black Women in Law appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-144952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal_matters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144952"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144952\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=144952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=144952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}