In 2005, I joined the Arizona Black Bar when the name was still the Hayzel B. Daniels Bar Association, named after the first black attorney to pass the Arizona State Bar. While at the University of Arizona College of Law, I was made aware of the Arizona Black Bar as a resource for African- American lawyers. I was awarded a scholarship from the Arizona Black Bar to help pay for tuition. I believe strongly in paying it forward and am proud to say I have served on the board of the Arizona Black Bar and continue as an active member.
I believe strongly in paying it forward and am proud to say I have served on the board of the Arizona Black Bar and continue as an active member.
Joining the Arizona Black Bar helped me gain valuable experience in the legal community by connecting me with judges and attorneys who provided sage advice throughout the years. While being in the organization, I met mentors who I now consider lifelong friends. I leaned on their counsel when I left the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office in 2010 to start my own law firm. I am now a partner at the law firm of Taylor and Gomez, where our practice focuses on personal injury, criminal and family law.
Being a part of the Arizona Black Bar has given me the courage and knowledge to get involved in other bar associations. In 2016 and 2018, I successfully ran and won a seat on the Maricopa County Bar Association. In 2017, I won a seat on the Arizona State Bar Board of Governors where I serve as the only elected African-American attorney in over a decade. It is an honor and a privilege to represent my fellow lawyers and judges in this role and I plan to run for re-election this spring. The Arizona Black Bar has been supportive of my candidacies in these elections and I credit their efforts to my success.
The Arizona Black Bar offers continuing legal education as a membership benefit. My personal education has been enhanced through these courses and by the networking opportunities offered through the Arizona Black Bar. The National Bar Association is an affiliate partner of the Arizona Black Bar and has provided me with national attorney contacts. Attending the National Bar Association conference is one of the highlights in my year. The Arizona Black Bar also collaborates with other Arizona sister bars which has widen my legal and personal network.
As an attorney, I have spoken out on controversial issues including civil rights violations. During the past few years, I have been featured on local and national news media including the NBC, Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and many others. The community within the Arizona Black Bar provides me with encouragement to continue to speak out on these high profile cases. I encourage all attorneys to find a network like the Arizona Black Bar to help grow and support their career.
