Black female law firm aims to serve historically overlooked clients - ABC NEWS 4
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — When we think about Black History Month, thoughts often go to the past trailblazers who helped make America a great nation.
Good Morning Charleston anchor Leah Uko spoke with those blazing trails in present time, including three Black lawyers setting out to help Lowcountry communities, they said, had gone without relatable representation for decades.
Amber Daniels, Shedricka Anderson and Tiffany Lumpkin describe their goals as attorneys the same way.
“I think it’s time for an all-Black, all female-owned law firm in the Charleston area,” Daniels stated.
The trio sat down and spoke with Uko in one of the office spaces used to meet with clients following the launch of their law firm, Daniels, Anderson & Lumpkin P.A.
On Martin Luther King Day in 2022, the Charleston School of Law graduates launched the boutique firm with the focus to serve Charleston, Berkeley, Orangeburg, Calhoun and Richland counties.
After gaining multiple years of experience in their prospective legal fields, the friends decided to step out and work for themselves and shift their efforts to becoming a trustworthy, comfort source for people historically intimidated by the legal system because of its lack of racial diversity.
“Afraid to ask questions,” Daniels continued. “Afraid to really get involved because they’re not sure how to perceive their attorney.”
Lumpkin added she always heard clients say, “it doesn’t seem like my attorney cares.”
When the firm officially launched, the response was greatly positive. Hundreds of people shared the news on social media. The firm was featured in a local blog and dozens of calls came in.
The embrace stunned Anderson.
“Leah, honestly, when I tell you I did not expect this much love, I didn’t,” she said as she wiped her tears. “It blew my mind like how many people was reaching out to us.”
Recent data shows this law firm is, in fact, unique.
Through its analysis in 2020, the National Association of Law Placement (NALP) found the percentage of Black associates in America surpassed 5%. Black women associates made up 3.04%.
But the percentage of Black Americans seeking legal counsel is greatly higher – proving to Lumpkin, there was a gap that needed filling, especially for family law.
“Studies show that the black poor families are the ones that are most targeted when it comes to abuse and neglect cases,” she explained.
source: https://abcnews4.com/news/local/black-female-law-firm-aims-to-serve-clients-historically-overlooked
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