
(Panel Discussion) African American Attorneys With Their Own Law Practices: The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Legal Entrepreneur
National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair 2010
Description: This panel features African American attorneys who have chosen to become self-employed legal entrepreneurs. They discuss the reasons why they started their own practices and what they did in order to learn how to successfully manage a law firm. They share both the positives and negatives of having one’s own law office, as well as the unique challenges and concerns African American solo and small firm practitioners face. Additionally, they recommend resources and organizations to assist those who have the courage to choose this route.
Moderator: Carol Y. Guess, Esq., Principal, The Guess Firm, P.L.L.C. (Houston, Texas)
Panelists:
Shannon B. Baldwin, Esq., Attorney at Law (Houston, Texas)
Robert A. Jones, Esq., Attorney at Law, Robert A. Jones, P.C. (Houston, Texas)
Kevin Kelley, Esq., Partner, Kelley Witherspoon, LLP (Dallas, Texas, Tyler, Texas and Little Rock, Arkansas)
Atonya McClain, Esq., Attorney, Law Offices of Atonya McClain, PLLC (Houston, Texas)
Mellany L. McDonald, CPA, Esq., Attorney at Law, Law Office of Mellany L. McDonald, PLLC (Pearland, Texas and Houston, Texas)