Examining America’s 6 Largest Black-Owned Law Firms

Background on Black-Owned Law Firms

The landscape of American law has long been dominated by a small community of well-established firms, often with lengthy histories and prestigious clients. Yet within this traditional framework, black-owned law firms have emerged and evolved, carving out their niche and, over time, becoming integral pillars of the legal community. Historically, black-owned law firms were often at the forefront of civil rights advocacy, often forming as a response to the systemic exclusion of black lawyers from the larger legal establishment. Pioneering efforts were key to addressing injustices in the areas of civil rights, criminal justice, and employment law, among others. Through unwavering commitment and expertise, these firms have played a crucial role in shaping not only the legal profession but also the broader socio-economic landscape of their communities. Today, the landscape of black-owned law firms is more extensive and diversified than ever. No longer are they solely focused on civil rights; their areas of expertise have expanded into corporate law , intellectual property, and other business-related fields. This diversification speaks to their adaptability and willingness to meet the evolving needs of their clientele. Nevertheless, the growth of black-owned law firms has not come without its challenges. Historically, they have faced both conscious and unconscious biases, as well as institutional barriers that have sought to limit their client base and influence. Yet, their fortitude and resilience in overcoming these obstacles are essential cornerstones to understanding their significance in today’s legal environment. As we explore the largest black-owned law firms in America, it is important to keep in mind their historical context and the challenges they have faced. Their growth is vital not only for the firms themselves but for the industry as a whole. In a legal landscape that is increasingly oriented toward globalism and cross-border interactions, the diversity brought by these firms ensures that the profession as a whole is prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

The Largest Present-Day Black-Owned Law Firms

Establishing the largest Black-owned law firms
To be among the largest Black-owned firms, a law firm must be entirely Black owned. To be considered among the top Black-owned firms, a law firm need not be entirely Black owned. It is the combination of being among the largest and top Black-owned law firms that will be explored here. The largest Black-owned law firms are based on revenue. The figures below are from Bloomberg Big Law Business.
Thompson Hine is a national firm, based in Ohio, that has held its spot on this list since 2003. It employs over 400 lawyers. The firm was founded in 1950 by former Cleveland city prosecutor Herbert Thompson, who went on to become the first Black partner at Squires Sanders & Dempsey (now Squire Patton Boggs). The firm now has offices in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Washington DC and New York City. It ranks 150 on the Am Law 200 and has a presence in Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations throughout the United States. It has expertise in litigation, business, regulatory, IP, labor/workers’ compensation, energy and information technology, environmental, health care and tax law, among other specialties. Its average profit per equity partner is $515,000.
Rice, Heard and Bigelow was founded in 1864 in New Orleans by former state senator Joseph Henry Rice. The firm, which boasts six Black partners, moved to Memphis in the 1970’s and has grown to employ more than 20 lawyers. The firm specializes in plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation and employment discrimination. Its average profit per equity partner is $492,000.
Based in Oakland California, the firm of The Woods Law Firm is a nationwide leader in providing services related to complex litigation and insurance coverage in civil matters. It was founded in 2000 by trial attorney and civil litigator Letitia L Woods. The firm specializes in business, business-related torts, class actions, construction defect litigation, fraud and anti-trust litigation, products liability, professional negligence, and real estate litigation. It has more than 60 lawyers.
O’Donnell & Associates was founded in Washington D.C. in 1987 as a securities class action litigation firm by Vernon O’Donnell. Its attorneys have appeared in various courts for many years, including the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals. The firm specializes in securities fraud class action litigation, derivative suit representation, corporate governance representation, and other corporate representation. Its average profit per partner is $483,000.
The Buckley firm has seven lawyers and is based in Washington D.C. There are two Black lawyers at the firm, not counting non-equity partners or recent law school graduates.

Black-Owned Law Firms and the Communities They Serve

Black-owned law firms are not only significant from a diversity standpoint, but also play a vital role in sustaining the local economies in which they operate. These firms typically contribute to their communities by providing employment opportunities for African American legal professionals and serving as advocates for social justice and equality, while promoting the advancement of minority-related legal issues.
Community Contribution
As of October 2022, there are a total of forty-seven (47) black owned law firms in America. When compiling and verifying these "Black Firms" it appeared that there was a consistent point of reference that this referred to firms that are "knowledgeable of the unique legal issues facing our clients and our communities." It was this concept of community that led to consideration of how firms offer legal services while promoting and advocating for the communities they serve, and by extension the community at large.
The Role of Black-Owned Firms in Social Justice
Article III of the U.S. Constitution gives federal district courts jurisdiction over "all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; -" This provision has provided an avenue of accountability for public and private entities impacting "communities of the oppressed". Within the civil litigation context, there is a responsibility and duty to not only the client, but also society at large. In the civil context, "the enforcement of individual rights, while important for the individual, actually has overwhelming social importance. It advances the ability of the private citizen to redress wrongs without recourse to violence." It is believed that "too often the centrality of this social value is overlooked."
Promoting Equality
"The magnitude of discrimination against people of color in America’s institutions of government, business, and society necessitates a broader commitment to racial equality and inclusion…. There is a great need for business and elite law firm lawyers to proactively enhance the diversity of the profession." A lack of attention to diversity contributed to 2017, when white attorneys made up more than 80% ($69.3 billion) of the nation’s "AmLaw 100" revenue versus .8% ($600 million) of black attorneys while Latinos represented approximately 6 percent ($4 billion). The lack of diversity among firms typically results in minority clients receiving less interest and attention based on the nature of their business transactions, bids, and other legal matters. Lack of representation delegitimizes clients in the eyes of the "elite" and creates an imbalance in the agency relationship, and can inhibit minority firms from getting their fair share of business.
From a social justice aspect, there is the threat of unchallenged institutional racism, which is not combatable without active representation within the firm ranks. This commitment to diversity must begin within the institutionalized structures of both the firm and the community. Racial bias and inequitable treatment continues to be an issue; and the impact is felt across the spectrum – from hiring practices to voting disenfranchisement.
Over the years there has been a significant decrease in the number of Black law firms, overall. While 20% of law firm attorneys nationally and 36% of law school enrollees are Black or Latino or other minorities, studies have shown that while in 2013-2015, 14.9% attorneys at elite law firms were Latino, compared to just 7.6% of total attorneys in all law firms. Further, only 2.9% of equity partners in 2015 were black.
Despite the statistics, there are minority law firms, that continue to give back to the community by advocating on behalf of its clients, and facilitating new opportunities for many. These firms, through their efforts, ensure that no matter the level or degree of complexity of the legal matter – large or small – that there is a diverse representation that addresses and protects the interests of the community that retains them.

Challenges Facing Black-Owned Law Firms

The legal industry is not immune to stereotypes, and in some cases, Black-owned law firms are subject to racial prejudice. Standard operating procedures may inadvertently exclude Black-owned law firms. For example, some large corporations engage in a "beauty parade," or a model walk, when choosing outside law counsel. This scorning of the firm solely because of its race unfairly deprives these businesses from an opportunity to show that they are more than capable of serving the client’s needs. For some firms, the old adage of "who you know" comes into play; similar to other minority-owned businesses, knowing the right person can be a deciding factor in securing representation. Another challenge is operating a business. Many minority-owned businesses do not receive the same access to capital as other firms. In the day-to-day management of a law firm , credit can be hard to come by. In some cases, it can be difficult to obtain an office lease, as few landlords are interested in extending a lease to a firm whose owners are Black. And yet others lack the resources to start or grow their business at all. Finances can immediately become a challenge when attempting to be the new kid on the block. In spite of these challenges, Black-owned law firms have managed to not only compete with, but outperform some of the largest law firms in the country. Some firms are not only competing with, but winning, clients in the aerospace, real estate, and bankruptcy industries.

The Future of Black-Owned Law Firms

The challenges that have historically faced black-owned law firms have by no means been eradicated, but a new era of possibilities appears to be upon them. Many experts believe that the future for black-owned law firms is bright because they discourage the billable hour legal model, while emphasizing service and results vs hours on a spreadsheet. An appealing sales pitch for clients is that black-owned firms offer diverse teams at lower prices and with less administrative overhead. Over the last several years, we have seen many all black law firms merge with AM LAW 100 law firms to leverage their broad reach as well as add greater substantive experience to their portfolios . Some of these former black-only law firms are now African American equity partners with AM LAW 100 firms. These once biracial law firms are leaders in their space and some of them have creative business development departments that foster a spirit of support for one another and others around the country. In sharpening my pencil and perhaps getting ahead of myself, this could very well be the model of the future, when interracial and multiracial teams of lawyers collaborate and expand their business development efforts in support of each other at their respective law firms to compete more broadly across the country.