Roxana S. Bell, Public Relations
Roxana S. Bell is an attorney in the Indianapolis office of Bingham Greenebaum Doll, where she is a member of the Labor and Employment Practice Group. She focuses her practice in the areas of discrimination defense and general employment and workplace policies. Before joining Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP, Roxana clerked for Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and Judge Rudolph R. Pyle III of the Court of Appeals of Indiana.
Roxana graduated with her undergraduate degree from the honors college of the University of Florida in 2006. While an undergraduate, she was a teaching assistant for the university writing program. Prior to entering law school, Roxana taught chemistry and physics at Arlington High School (IPS). During law school, Roxana served as a teaching assistant for the Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO) Summer Institute, a member of the Dean’s Tutorial Society, and Executive Articles Editor of the Indiana Health Law Review. She graduated from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2011 in the top quartile of her class.
Roxana is actively involved in the community. She is a founding member of the KITES (Kids Interested in Technology, Engineering, and Science), Inc., board of directors. Additionally, she volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and the Tabernacle of Hope Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Alvin Benton, Development / Sponsorship
Alvin Benton is a sixth-year Associate in the Creditors’ Rights Practice Group in the Dallas office of Holland & Knight LLP and practices in the area of bankruptcy litigation, commercial and timeshare foreclosures and general business litigation. Mr. Benton has represented creditors in a variety of commercial settings, including sophisticated Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 13 cases and Chapter 7 liquidations. In addition, he has represented creditors in receiverships, debt restructuring, complex commercial foreclosures; in complex corporate restructurings in Chapter 11 cases and under consensual, out-of-court “workout” agreements; represented owners of real property in workouts and Chapter 11 cases.
Mr. Benton received his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the FAMU College of Law. Mr. Benton was a recipient of the FAMU Quasquicentennial Alumni Award by Florida A&M University, as well as the “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Under 40” award by the National Bar Association and IMPACT. Mr. Benton was named as a 2012 and 2013 Rising Star for the Florida SuperLawyers publication, and is the recipient of the Orange County Bar Association New Attorney Award of Excellence for his pro bono service in the Central Florida area.
Recently, Mr. Benton served as an Inaugural Fellow of the Florida Bar Leadership Academy, and is currently a member of Leadership Class of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers. Mr. Benton served as a panelist during the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges in 2011, 2012 and 2013 addressing many topics, including recent issues in bankruptcy law and the importance of diversity in the legal field.
Kendra Brown, Pipeline
Kendra Brown currently serves as Special Assistant and Counsel in the United States House of Representatives to Representative Maxine Waters where she coordinates coalition outreach and community engagement, advises the Representative on legislation, and coordinates all special events. Additionally, she serves as the office representative for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. She is a Former National Chair of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), an organization comprised of over 200 chapters and nearly 6,000 members and currently serves as the President of the NBLSA Advisory Board.
During her term as National Chair, NBLSA was active in election protection, leadership training and development, academic planning, career development, and extensive advocacy efforts.
Kendra graduated from Hampton University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Management. She began her seminary studies in August 2005 by pursuing coursework at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, completed her Master of Divinity at Howard University Divinity School in 2009, and received her law degree from Vermont Law School in 2009. Additionally, Kendra received her LL.M. from the George Washington University School of Law.
She is committed to community engagement and empowerment as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated. She serves in a number of additional capacities, including as a Youth Leader in her local church, a member of the African American Advisory Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters, a board member of the Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, and as a National Advisory Board member of the National Black Law Students Association. She has received various awards, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Pro Bono Service Award, the Patricia Roberts Harris Award for Excellence, the Justice Thurgood Marshall Civil Liberties Award, the Hampton University Alumni Association 35th Anniversary Alumni Award with the Northern Virginia Chapter, and the State of Maryland Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.
Jessica Childress, Membership
Ms. Childress holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and African American Studies from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. Ms. Childress graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with High Distinction from the University of Virginia in 2007. As an undergraduate, Ms. Childress was a resident of the Lawn (a University of Virginia honor which recognizes students for unselfish service to the University and achievement in their respective fields of activity and academics), inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and was awarded a Harvard University Galbraith Scholar Fellowship.
While in law school, Ms. Childress was an editorial board member for the Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law. She was also an executive board member of the Student Bar Association. In 2009-2010, she served as a legal intern in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. She is an alumnus of the National Trial Advocacy College and a former national board member of the National Black Law Students Association.
After law school, Ms. Childress served as a law clerk for the Honorable Alexander Williams, Jr. in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Upon completion of her clerkship, Ms. Childress joined the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP as an associate in the firm’s litigation department. Ms. Childress is currently an attorney at the United States Department of Justice.
In 2013, Ms. Childress was selected as a fellow for the National Employment Law Council Academy. Additionally, Ms. Childress was named to the 2013 Lawyer of Color Hot List. Ms. Childress is active in multiple civic organizations and currently serves as the chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.
Gillian Crowl, CLE
Gillian Crowl is an associate in the Charlotte, North Carolina, office of Gallivan, White & Boyd. She focuses her practice on complex litigation matters. These matters often include healthcare and benefits, professional negligence, transportation law, including the railroad and trucking industries, and general personal injury defense. Gillian is admitted to practice in both North Carolina and Ohio and has presented matters before state and federal courts. Gillian’s legal experience has also allowed her to handle and defend matters in the healthcare and benefits and professional negligence practice areas.
illian handles matters that include: claims made pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”); claims governed by the North Carolina Administrative Procedure Act; medical Malpractice claims; and health insurance bad faith claims. Transportation law in the railroad and trucking industries is a substantial part of Gillian’s law practice. She has defended trucking companies and Class I railroads in complex litigation matters including: catastrophic injury cases; emergency response and accident investigation; hazardous materials transportation; cargo claims; grade crossing accidents; and Federal Employer’s Liability Act (“FELA”) claims. Gillian also handles general personal injury claims representing defendants in automobile and premises liability cases. In representing her clients, Gillian brings a strong, calm and focused demeanor to her work that allows her to focus on the critical issues in any litigated matter and provide her clients with effective and responsive client service. The combination of these attributes provided by Gillian results in satisfied clients.
Brandon Davis, Public Relations
Rodney Diggs, Annual Convention
Rodney Diggs is a litigator at Ivie, McNeill, & Wyatt with substantial experience in federal and state courts as well as mediations. As a litigator/trial attorney, Mr. Diggs handles all aspects of litigation including drafting and responding to pleadings, discovery, trial preparation and trial. Mr. Diggs is experienced in researching and preparing pleadings, including motions to compel, demurrers, motion for summary judgments, motions for class certification, oppositions, complaints and answers.His practice areas include: civil rights, copyright, consumer class actions, labor and employment law (harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour), wrongful death, sports and entertainment, corporate, criminal defense, complex litigation; and personal injury.
Mr. Diggs has litigated various high profile cases and represents various high profile and high-worth individuals in the music, television, film, sports and other entertainment and sports related fields including actors, athletes, producers, recording artists, directors, record companies, and many other individuals and companies.
Mr. Diggs is more than a litigator. As a counselor to his clients, Mr. Diggs advises, strategizes with and negotiates on behalf of clients, including those not involved in litigation. He assists them in responding to pre-litigation claims and resolving disputes, helping them plan to avoid potential litigation, and provides guidance and his legal knowledge where needed.
Mr. Diggs received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2005. While at UCLA, Mr. Diggs was a member of the Track & Field team where he achieved All-Pac 10 and All-American status in the 400 meters and 4×400 meter relay.
Mr. Diggs received his Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law in 2010 and was admitted to the California Bar that same year. At Howard, he was the Vice-President of the Student Bar Association, Chief Justice of Sigma Delta Tau Legal Fraternity, Inc., and Senior Staff Editor of the Human Rights and Globalization Law Review. Mr. Diggs was also a student-attorney for the DC Law Students in Court where he represented low income clients in Landlord-Tenant court and handled other civil matters in D.C. Superior Court and local administrative agencies.
Prior to starting his career at Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt, Mr. Diggs clerked for the Honorable Patti Jo McKay, Presiding Judge for the Appellate Division for the Los Angeles Superior Court. Mr. Diggs is admitted to practice before the State of California as well as the Central District of the United States District Courts
Melvin L. Felton II, Annual Convention
Melvin L. Felton specializes in management-side labor and employment litigation and counseling for companies of all sizes. He has managed cases at various stages of litigation from litigation proposal to disposition in Federal, California and Arizona courts, and various arbitration venues. His work has included wage and hour class actions, harassment and discrimination claims, retaliation litigation, and employment and labor counseling.
Oneshia Herring, Legislative Affairs
Oneshia S. Herring, Esq. is Policy Counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy and research institution that works to protect homeownership and family wealth by fighting abusive lending practices toward low-income persons and communities of color. In this capacity, she works with federal and state lawmakers, regulators, and partners to promote fair and equitable lending practices through legal and industry research, bill drafting and analysis, lobbying, and outreach. She played critical role in drafting and negotiating several important legislative efforts to combat foreclosure at the state level including the Nevada Homeowner Bill of Rights, Colorado Housing Stabilization and Mortgage Accountability Act, and others.
In 2010, Oneshia was selected for the prestigious Congressional Fellows Program with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. Oneshia began her fellowship as Policy Advisor and Legislative Counsel for the Honorable Alcee L. Hastings managing his legislative strategy on judiciary, housing, and economic development issues. During her second term, she worked on the Senate Housing, Banking and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development chaired by Senator Robert Menendez, where she worked intensely on the Choice Neighborhoods Act and several other housing reform bills. Oneshia also worked as Counsel with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Appellate Review Sector and Microsoft Corporation’s Legal and Corporate Affairs Division.
A recipient of the 2014 National Bar Association Trailblazer Award, Oneshia is involved with several civic organizations including the National Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division, National Association of Consumer Advocates, Washington Government Relations Group, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a member of the North Carolina State Bar.
Oneshia is a proud graduate of the Florida State University, where she was a Florida Bright Futures Scholar. She also holds a M.A. from the University of Central Florida, and a J.D. from the North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Adam Hunter, Development / Sponsorship
Adam Hunter is a founding partner of Hunter & Johnson, PLLC. His area of specialty is in criminal defense, civil litigation, and small business development. A large portion of his practice is dedicated to representing District of Columbia residents in criminal cases through the Criminal Justice Act. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law (J.D.) and Howard University (B.A.’s Economics and Political Science cum laude). Adam is licensed in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
Prior to forming Hunter & Johnson, Adam was Of Counsel with Harden & Pinckney, PLLC in the District of Columbia with a primary focus in criminal defense and civil litigation. He clerked in Middlesex County Superior Court in New Jersey for the Honorable Lorraine Pullen in the Criminal Division.
Adam is currently the Vice President of the Board of Directors for D.C. Law Students in Court Program (LSIC), an organization that uses law students within the District of Columbia to represent indigent clients in criminal and civil cases. He is also a 2008 alum of the program. While in law school Adam taught constitutional law at Eastern Senior High School and Youth Services Center (D.C. Youth Detention Center) and was captain of the Huver I. Brown Mock Trial Team
Jennifer Lane, Membership
Cherise Latortue, Annual Convention
Cherise Latortue is an associate in the Orange County office and a member of the Employment & Labor Practice Group at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP. Her practice focuses on the defense of class action and individual wage and hour claims, discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination actions. She also advises clients on a wide array of employment law issues.
Ms. Latortue has significant experience representing employers in mediation and litigation on disability, age, race and national origin discrimination matters in state and federal courts, as well as federal and state government enforcement agencies. She also has substantial experience advising clients on federal OSHA and Cal-OSHA compliance and traditional labor law issues. Prior to joining Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Ms. Latortue was an associate at Dorsey & Whitney LLP. She clerked for Judge Judith Chirlin (Ret.) in 2008 and also worked as an intern at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Federal Trade Commission in 2009.
Thena Robinson Mock, Social Activism
Allison Monyei, Community Service
Chibundu Nnake, Pipeline
Jasmyn Jones Richardson, Membership
Julia Richardson, Legislative Affairs
Sal Richardson, Development / Sponsorship
Rodney Robbins, Pipeline
Rodney D. Robbins, Jr. is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as the Youth Wellness Coordinator for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Get Healthy Philly initiative where he works to reduce chronic diseases related to smoking, unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity through a series of citywide policies, system and environmental reforms.
Prior to joining Get Healthy Philly, Rodney worked for the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation. There he held a number of positions over a five year period and served on the Citywide Performing Arts committee where he organized events such as the Citywide Dance Festival and Citywide Talent Show. He also directed and coordinated events such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and “Fall for Your Park” Days around the city. Rodney is the Founder and Director of Cre8tive Concepts Youth Organization, a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to youth mentorship and guidance through the performing art and also serves on the executive boards for iROC (Intelligently Redefining Our Culture) and the Community Women’s Education Project (CWEP) in Philadelphia, PA.
Rodney received his B.S. in Business Administration and B.A. in Communication Arts, summa cum laude, from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 2007. There he was a member of the Keystone Honors Academy and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He received his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2012 where he served as the Midwest Regional Chair (2011-2012) and Midwest Director of Programming (2010-2011) for the National Black Law Students Association. He received his LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2014.
Jeremy Simmons, Legislative Affairs
Jeremy Simmons currently serves as a Government Relations Representative for the United States Postal Service. His primary focus is sharing the Postal Service’s legislative requests with members of Congress and their staffs. Before joining the Postal Service Jeremy served as lead attorney for post office closing appeals in the Office of General Counsel for the Postal Regulatory Commission. He has represented members of the public before the Commission and assisted in developing its FOIA regulations. During law school, Jeremy clerked for the Commission.
Jeremy spent the summer of 2006, with the Banking and Finance practice group of the Sonnenberg, Hoffmann and Galombik law firm in Cape Town, South Africa. During college he interned in the Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein of California where he focused on Housing, Education and Homelessness issues.
Jeremy is a 2008 graduate of the Howard University School of Law and member of the Texas Bar. He is also a member of the Texas State Society.
La Toya Sutton, CLE
NBA Young Lawyers Division 