WASHINGTON, D.C. –  IMPACT and the National Bar Association (NBA) will honor the “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40″ at a special awards gala on Saturday, July 27, 2013 during NBA’s 88th Annual Convention in Miami, Florida.

Nation’s Best Advocates recognizes talented individuals (age 40 and under) within the African American legal community who have achieved prominence and distinction, professionally and philanthropically. Selected nominees represent a cross-section of legal professionals: solo practitioners, government lawyers, judges, academicians, corporate counsels, young elected officials, and other lawyers using their degree in innovative ways. Nominees were chosen based on their achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal community involvement.

“The NBA is proud to partner again with IMPACT for this year’s 40 Lawyers Under 40 event. We applaud the awardees for their significant accomplishments and contributions towards the legal profession and community,” said John Page, NBA President.  “We look forward to honoring these awardees during our 88th Annual Convention in Miami and most importantly, we look forward to sustaining our mission of service and ensuring that justice is achieved by all.”

“The 2013 Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 are continuing the tradition of legal giants in American history,” said IMPACT Director Angela Rye. “The invaluable contributions made by these attorneys establish a standard for service and excellence in our communities and our Nation.”

The recipients of the Nation’s Best Advocate of the Year, Excellence in Leadership, Service, Activism, and Innovation awards will be recognized at the event, which is the only of its kind. For more information, visit: www.NationsBestAdvocates.com.

2013 Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40

• Barbara J. Walker, Associate, Parks & Crump, LLC
• Breon C.M. Walker, Partner, Gallivan, White & Boyd, PA.
• Candice S. Petty, Corporate Counsel, 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc.
• Carlos Leach, Partner, Morgan and Morgan, PA
• Cassandra Georges, Mediator &Arbitrator, Above and Beyond Dispute Resolution, LLC
• Chigozie Onyema, Policy Analyst, Council of State Governments
• Craig A. A. Dixon, Assistant Vice President, Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Smithfield Foods, Inc.
• Dannelle Felecia Walker, General Counsel, Tennessee State Board of Education
• Edward “Ted” James, II, State Representative, District 101, Louisiana House of Representatives
• Ekumene M. Lysonge, Vice President, Legal Affairs, Churchill Downs Incorporated.
• Evangeline M. Mitchell, Principal, Persistence of Vision LLC/Founder & Executive Director, National Black Pre-Law  Conference and Law Fair
• Harmon “Monty” Cooper, Associate, Sedgwick, LLP
• JaDawnya Butler, Assistant District Attorney, Fulton County, GA
• JaRai A. Williams, Appellate Defense Counsel, United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps
• Jasmine Rand, Associate, Parks and Crump, LLC
• Justin Fairfax, Justin Fairfax for Virginia
• Kristal Lauren High, Esq. , Editor and Chief Politic365
• Lacy L. Durham, Tax Manager, Deloitte Tax, LLP
• Lakeisha C. Marsh, Associate Vice President and Counsel, TCS Education Systems
• LaShonda Council Rogers, Managing Attorney, Council & Associates, LLC
• Lynnette D. Espy-Williams, Partner, Cozen O’Connor
• Malaika Billups, Associate, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
• Marie Giraud, Associate, Morrison Mahoney
• Michelle N. Lipkowitz, Partner, Saul Ewing, LLP
• Monica D. Barnes, Assistant City Attorney, City of Miami Gardens, FL
• Monique Liburd, Associate Trademark Counsel, Google, Inc.
• Nichole Francis Reynolds, Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Terri Sewell
• Nicole Isaac, Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, The White House
• Radiance Harris, Associate, DLA Piper
• Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah, Core Forensic & Dispute Services Manager, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services
• Reginald Roberts, Jr., Co-Managing Partner, Sanders Roberts, LLP
• Rhonda Peoples-Waters, President/CEO, Rhonda Peoples-Waters-PA
• Shontavia Jackson Johnson, Owner, Johnson International Group, Assistant Professor of Law, Drake University Law School
• Tanya Bullock, Judge, Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
• Tara Dawson Elliott, Principal, Fish & Richardson, PC
• Tashinda Glover Richardson, US Navy Judge Advocate General Corp
• Valyncia Simmons, Partner, Baker Williams Matthiesen LLP
• W. Dewayne Richardson, District Attorney, Fourth Judicial District of Mississippi
• Wade Hinton, Deputy General Counsel, Volkswagon Group of America
• Zulema Green, Regional Managing Attorney, Portfolio Recovery Associates

The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation’s oldest and largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. For additional information about the National Bar Association, visit www.nationalbar.org.

IMPACT (@teamIMPACT) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage and build a network of young professionals of color to foster civic engagement, increase knowledge of the political and legislative processes, and enhance economic empowerment opportunities. For additional information about IMPACT, visit www.IMPACT-dc.com.