The National Bar Association (“NBA”) is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of its “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates” awards. The awards recognize the nation’s top 40 lawyers under the age 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement in the legal profession, including in advocacy, innovation, vision, leadership and overall legal and community involvement.
“As one of the preeminent bar associations in the world, we have made these awards one of the centerpieces of our association – recognizing the 40 lawyers under 40 who are helping to advance the causes of justice, equality, professionalism and community service,” said Lonita Baker, NBA President. “These lawyers, although they have not reached 40, have already demonstrated the ability and drive to use their legal scholarship and personal commitment to enhance access to justice for all citizens, and improve the communities in which we live. Many of these honorees are exemplifying the same level of leadership, activism and professional acumen shown by our past and current NBA leaders,” Baker said.
According to Aubrey “Nick” Pittman, Co-Chair of the 40 Under 40 Awards, “the NBA’s 40 Under 40 Awards have come to represent perhaps the most sought-after award in the country for professionals under the age of 40. Receiving the award sends a strong message that the NBA takes pride in recognizing young lawyers who use their talents to practice law with the utmost character and professionalism, expose injustice, create forces for change, and perform community service. The significance of the award is not lost on younger lawyers and students who emulate 40 Under 40 recipients in the hope that they will someday walk in their big shoes.”
The recipients will be honored at the National Bar Association’s renowned 40 Under 40 Awards Gala on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, during the NBA’s 98th Annual Convention in Minneapolis, MN.
The final selections represent a cross-section of legal professionals, including lawyers from big, medium and small firms, solo and industry practitioners, government lawyers, judges, academicians, corporate counsels, young elected officials, and various other lawyers, all of whom are using their juris doctor degree in innovative and community impacting ways. During the Black-tie Awards Gala, recipients of the Nation’s Best Advocate of the Year and the Excellence in Leadership, Service, Activism, and Innovation awards will also be announced.
For more information on the Award Recipients, the Awards Gala, or Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Aubrey “Nick” Pittman or Lani Shaw at 40Under40@nationalbar.org.
2023 NBA Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40
- Reginald Babin, Senior Associate, Akin Gump
- Tyler D. Bailey, Managing Attorney, Bailey Law Firm, LLC
- André C. Bruce, General Counsel, FWG Solutions, Inc.
- Lindsey Buckner, Senior Counsel, Alteryx, Inc.
- Sarah O. Clifton, Staff Attorney, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles
- Joel Clymer, Partner, Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP
- Angela M. Cook, Team Chief Attorney, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
- Jomaire Crawford, Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP
- Kimbrely Dandridge, Corporate Counsel, Amazon.com Inc.
- Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Partner, Steptoe & Johnson, LLP
- Iris A. Elijah, Associate General Counsel, Florida International University
- Carl Forbes Jr., Principal, CFJ Law PLLC
- Xenia Garofalo, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
- Teri A. Gibbs, Associate, Fisher & Phillips LLP
- Sheena Hamilton, City Counselor, City of St. Louis
- Amber Hamilton Gregg, Inhouse Trial Attorney, State Farm Insurance
- Jasmine S. Horton, Senior Associate, GBG, LLP
- Utibe Ikpe, Partner, Meland Budwick. PA
- Natasha E. Jenkins, Associate, Littler Mendelson
- Samuel Jones, Senior Associate, Wilson Elser Edelman & Dicker LLP
- Kristin P. Kiel, Attorney, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Carlton L. Martin, Pro Bono Director, National Homelessness Law Center
- Crystal Matson, Attorney, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
- Tiffany M. Moore, Corporate Counsel, Litigation, Mercedes Benz USA
- Francesca Morency, Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Valeria Obi, Corporate Counsel, WilsonHCG
- K. Chike Odiwe, Associate, Burris, Nisenbaum, Curry & Lacy, LLP
- Marcel S. Pratt, Managing Partner, Ballard Spahr LLP
- Tommy Preston, Jr., Global Vice President, Ethics, The Boeing Company
- Brent M. Radcliff, Associate Counsel, Intellectual Property and Technology, Genuine Parts Company
- Natasha T. Robinson, Senior Associate, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
- Deondrey R. Russell, Associate, Germer Beaman & Brown
- Serena A. Rwejuna, Partner, White & Case LLP
- Courtney B. Scrubbs, General Counsel, Genomics, LGC Group Ltd
- Anthony R. Shannon, Global People Officer, Kobre & Kim LLP
- Brandon Stewart, Installation Chaplain, United States Air Force
- Brian P. Sylvester, Partner, Perkins Coie LLP
- Vanessa S. Tabler, Equity Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
- LieAnn T. Van-Tull, Associate, Keller and Heckman, LLP
- Brandon Vaughn, Partner, Robins Kaplan LLP
ABOUT THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION
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 the interests of more than 65,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students. The NBA is organized around 23 substantive law sections, 10 divisions, 12 regions and 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. For more information, visit: http://www.nationalbar.org