By Jordan Lee
Washington, D.C. – September 18, 2025
Big Law firms are powerful. They handle huge cases. They make billions each year. But for Black male attorneys, life there can be tough. They face barriers. Few mentors look like them. Networking is hard. Retention rates are low. In response, a group of Black male lawyers in D.C. started their own network. They call it the D.C. Brotherhood of Black Male Attorneys. It builds support. It fosters growth. It fights isolation.
The network began in 2018. Five Black male partners met at a conference. They worked at top firms. Like Covington & Burling. And WilmerHale. They shared stories. One said, “I felt alone in meetings. No one understood my path.” Another added, “We need brothers to lean on.” From that chat, the idea grew. They wanted a safe space. A place for advice. And real connections.
Today, the network has over 150 members. Most are in D.C. Some are from nearby areas. They include associates. Partners. Even in-house counsel. All are Black men. The group meets monthly. They hold dinners. They do workshops. Topics cover career tips. Like how to bill hours. Or negotiate promotions. They also talk about challenges. Such as microaggressions. Or lack of sponsorship.
One founder is Marcus Hale. He is a partner at Arnold & Porter. Hale is 45. He graduated from Howard University School of Law. He said, “Big Law is cutthroat. Only 2% of partners are Black men. We built this to change that.” Hale points to stats. The American Bar Association reports low numbers. In 2024, Black attorneys make up 5% of Big Law. But only 1.5% reach partner. Attrition is high. Many leave after five years.
The network helps with mentorship. Senior members pair with juniors. They review resumes. They practice pitches. One success story is Jamal Reed. He joined as an associate in 2020. He felt stuck. No promotion in sight. His mentor, a senior partner, gave tips. Reed networked inside his firm. He landed a big client. Now, he is up for partner. “The brotherhood gave me confidence,” Reed said. “I saw role models who looked like me.”
Events are key. They host an annual summit. It is in February. For Black History Month. Last year, 200 attended. Speakers came from Skadden and Hogan Lovells. They discussed leadership. One panel was on work-life balance. Fathers shared how to juggle cases and kids. Another focused on business development. How to win clients in a white-dominated field.
The group also fights systemic issues. They lobby for diversity. They partner with the National Bar Association. That group has 67,000 members. It is the largest for Black lawyers. The D.C. network pushes firms to hire more. They track progress. Some firms report better numbers. Like Latham & Watkins. It has a Black affinity group. It helped retain 20% more Black attorneys since 2022.
Challenges remain. Funding is tight. They rely on dues. $100 a year per member. Some get sponsorships from firms. But not all. Time is another issue. Big Law demands long hours. Members squeeze in meetings. COVID helped. Virtual events made it easier. Now, they mix in-person and online.
Community impact is big. The network mentors law students. From Georgetown and George Washington University. They host mock interviews. They give scholarships. Last year, they awarded $10,000. To five students. One recipient, Tyler Brooks, said, “This network showed me Big Law is possible. For someone like me.”
Firms notice. Some offer support. Like paid time for events. Covington & Burling sponsors dinners. It helps recruitment. Firms want diverse talent. Clients demand it. Big companies like Google push for inclusion.
Experts praise the effort. Dr. Lena Carter is a diversity consultant. She works with law firms. “These networks build resilience,” she said. “They create pipelines. Black men support each other. It leads to promotions. And better retention.” Carter notes data. A 2024 study by McKinsey shows diverse teams win more cases. They bring fresh views.
The brotherhood extends beyond work. Members volunteer. They do pro bono for Black communities. Like voting rights cases. Or police reform. One event was a clinic. It helped 50 families with expungements. In D.C.’s wards.
Looking ahead, the network plans growth. They want chapters in New York. And Atlanta. They aim for 300 members by 2027. Hale says, “We are not just surviving Big Law. We are thriving. Together.”
This story inspires. In a field of giants, small networks make change. Black male attorneys in D.C. prove it. Brotherhood builds strength. It opens doors. For them. And the next generation.