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BLACK HISTORY EVERY DAY

About The National Black Lawyers

The National Black Lawyers is an invitation-only professional development and networking association comprised of the top African American attorneys across the country. This exclusive organization selects the most successful and influential lawyers with reputations for providing excellent legal representation in their respective practice areas and for community leadership. In sum, we are an African American legal brain trust™.

44

States

Top Black attorneys recognized in 44 states—offering national reach with local expertise.

82

Practice Areas

Excellence across 82 legal fields—from civil rights to corporate law and beyond.

100+

Hours of Resources

Access 100+ hours of professional content—from expert-led webinars to interactive Town Halls and Sidebars, Executive Committee-led, professional conversations.

Our Mission

The National Black Lawyers was created to celebrate legal excellence by promoting our attorneys as subject-matter experts, developing a strong national network of top African American attorneys, and facilitating the exchange of timely information to enable our members to expand their impact as leaders.
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Nominate

AN ATTORNEY

The National Black Lawyers encourages you to nominate excellent African American attorneys for membership into our organization.

Our Membership Team vets the professional backgrounds of each potential member before an invitation is extended.
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Membership Benefits

We provide our members with a wealth of professional resources for increasing their knowledge and building national referral connections. Being invited to join The National Black Lawyers is a huge achievement! We invite only the most distinguished African American attorneys in each state to join our ranks.
Strong Leadership
Our leaders are legal stalwarts committed to sharing their wealth of knowledge with members of the The NBL, the African American Legal Brain Trust™.
Networking
We host Town Halls, SIDEBARS and receptions for our members to interact with top African American lawyers in other practice areas, socialize with attorneys against whom they may have litigated, and expand their networks across the country.
Personal Resources
Our national network of legal stalwarts are connected to each other through our Member Portal; our our NBL Member Hub where they exchange information and refer cases; and two monthly newsletters, where they receive timely information on legal news, employment and speaking opportunities, and biographical information on all new members to the braintrust.
NBL Academy
Our webinars, led by current members, are focused on timely issues of particular importance to African American lawyers' professional and personal growth.
Professional Development
Our members are experts within their practice areas. For this reason, we work to create and provide opportunities for our members to lead webinars and other panels, write articles, provide media quotes and otherwise share their expertise with larger audiences.
Event Discounts
NBL members who practice civil plaintiff or criminal defense receive discounts to 9 CLE Conferences.

Celebrating Legal Excellence

Comprised of top-tier plaintiff, defense, and government lawyers, professors, and judges. The National Black Lawyers represents unmatched expertise in corporate law, intellectual property, family law, criminal defense, and more. With a dedication to excellence and tailored representation, our attorneys deliver exceptional legal services to meet diverse client needs.
ANNAMARIA STEWARD, ESQ.

Executive Director

ANNAMARIA STEWARD, ESQ.

For nearly 25 years, Annamaria Steward has dedicated her career and volunteer efforts to advancing the legal profession and serving the Washington, D.C. community. She is the first Executive Director of The National Black Lawyers and has held leadership roles across private practice, legal education, bar associations, and corporate law—most notably serving as President of both the D.C. Bar and the Bar Association of the District of Columbia. A Dartmouth and GW Law graduate, Annamaria has received numerous honors, including the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifelong commitment to service.

Member FAQs

Why was I invited to join?
Our members are some of the most well-known and respected practicing lawyers across the country. The NBL recognizes and promotes the present contributions of African American lawyers and connects our members, locally and nationally, to share their knowledge with each other and the larger legal community. Our selection process is rigorous, involving peer nominations and third-party research that considers factors such as reputation, recent achievements, certifications, and leadership in legal and community organizations.
Are there specific practice areas that the organization focuses on?
The National Black Lawyers is an elite network of African American legal experts. We select successful and influential lawyers with reputations for providing excellent legal representation in any area of practice.
How do you connect members?
Every month, The NBL circulates an email with all of the new Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40 members from the previous month. These emails contain photographs, firms/corporations/agencies, contact information and biographies. Members are encouraged to reach out to new members in their states and/or practice areas.

In addition, NBL Members are connected to each other through our new connect.law system. Through this portal, members can participate in discussion groups, ask other members for attorney referrals across the country, post their resumes for professional opportunities, seek advice from our Executive Committee and learn about professional and community events happening in their areas.
Are there opportunities for publishing articles or contributing to The National newsletter?
Yes, members are encouraged to submit articles and share their expertise, including notable verdicts and settlements, for publication in our monthly newsletters and social media pages. Submitted content becomes the property of The National Black Lawyers and may be edited in accordance with our submission guidelines, which are provided.
Are there opportunities for presenting on an area of expertise?
Yes, members are encouraged to submit timely topics for presentation to the members of the Top 100 and/or Top 40 Under 40 through our NBL Academy. In addition, The NBL is oftentimes contacted by local and national organizations seeking experts on various newsworthy topics. These speaking opportunities are distributed to the membership.
How often are events and conferences held?
At The National Black Lawyers, our events and communications aim to connect members, inspire new discussions, keep members updated on the latest legal trends and opportunities, and promote African American legal excellence. We focus on four key goals- connect members with a broad national network of fellow highly respected lawyers, educate members on personal and professional opportunities, empower members to reach their personal goals, and inspire members to become NBL Hall of Famers. Event details are shared through our newsletter, The National, or by email to current members. Every January, we host our NBL Hall of Fame seated dinner to recognize living African American legal stalwarts.
How much are the annual dues, and are there any discounts available?
Annual membership dues are $325 ($300 with auto-renew) for the Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40.
What is the refund policy if I decide to cancel my membership?
Our policy is that memberships are non-refundable, and dues are not prorated. However, in cases of extenuating circumstances, we do consider refund requests on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I change firms or relocate—does my membership transfer?
If you change firms or relocate, your membership can be updated with your new contact details. We are recognizing and celebrating you, not your specific firm or state. Simply reach out to our membership team to adjust your information.
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