Palm Beach County Lawyers Make History by Forming The Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association
SIA BAKER-BARNES
Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson ’ s nomination to the United States Supreme Court is a historic day in American history . In the over 230-year history of the Court , no black woman has ever been nominated to or served as Justice on the Court . If confirmed , Judge Jackson would serve as a shining example that all of us have the opportunity to serve on the highest Court in the land . On the surface , it seems as if we are headed in the right direction ; and in some ways , such as Judge Jackson ’ s nomination , we are . But when we take a closer look at women of color in the legal profession , we continue to be underrepresented , particularly in the most senior roles . In 2020 , the American Bar Association released “ Left Out and Left Behind : The Hurdles , Hassles and Heartaches of Achieving Long-Term Legal Careers for Women of Color .” This study was designed to evaluate the relative experiences of women of color practicing in law firms for more than 30 years . While law firms have hired more women of color as associates in the last 20 years , attrition was high and very few attained partnership . Another alarming statistic , women of color represent only 2 percent of equity partners at large law firms . The women surveyed across the board expressed experiencing isolation , bias , and stereotyping in the workplace . They described the challenges of isolation one feels when she is constantly the only woman of color in the law firm , or the courtroom , or the boardroom , and frustration with their colleagues ’ inability to relate to their experiences . Many women described limited opportunity for advancement . In the end , more than 70 percent of the women surveyed desired to leave the legal profession altogether , because they did not see any viable alternative to their current situation .
The 30 % desiring to stay in the profession explained that despite experiencing isolation , bias , stereotypes , and roadblocks to advancement , they love , enjoy and excel in the practice of law . Their careers
were enhanced by having strong mentors with similar experiences , support in their communities and places they could call home . They also felt a sense of responsibility to serve as examples to young women of all backgrounds , but especially women of color , that we can all be successful lawyers . In the end , the authors issued a challenge : “ We ask that this study not be read and then put on a shelf to be picked up five years from now and “ surprisingly ” discover nothing has changed . This study provides some answers to the questions about the state of women of color in the profession and if used to its fullest extent will assist in the change that is urgently needed now .”
Desiring to heed the call , bridge the gap and make a difference , and having also experienced isolation , bias and stereotypes in their own legal careers , Sandra Powery Moses , Destinie Baker Sutton and Sia Baker Barnes co-founded the Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association ( SDCBWLA ) in February , 2021 , the first of its kind in Palm Beach County . The organization ’ s namesake is the Honorable Sheree Davis
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Cunningham , the first black woman to serve on the bench in Palm Beach County . Appointed in 1993 to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit ’ s County Court , Cunningham retired in 2019 after 26 years of distinguished service to the Court and her community . The organization ’ s goal is to provide mentorship , guidance and support to its members and their unique experiences in the practice of law . The organizations official colors , purple and black , represent royalty and power .
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