the
Woman
who inspired
Was a Florida native, who made history in 1958 as the first African American woman licensed to practice law in the state. She attended the original Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law, where she earned her law degree.
Her achievements include breaking racial and gender barriers in the legal field, practicing law in Jacksonville, and later teaching contract law at FAMU. In 2025, her legacy was honored with the establishment of the Bernice Gaines Dorn Black Women Lawyers Association to support and empower Black women in the legal profession.
Us
Mission & Goals
Our
Addressing important issues affecting minority practitioners in the legal profession
We are committed to. . .
Encouraging the inclusion of Black women attorneys in various legal sectors, including:
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Law firms
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The judiciary
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Governmental agencies
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Legal education and academia
Serving its membership, the greater legal community, and the public through:
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Educational programs
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Mentoring and networking opportunities
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Community outreach
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Scholarship awards for law students
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Mental health awareness initiatives
Helping Black women in the legal profession navigate unique challenges in:
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The practice of law
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Their personal lives
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Their communities
Meet
Charter Members
Our
Alfreda D. Coward | Partner | Coward & Coward, P.A.
Alison Smith | Partner | Weiss, Serota, Helfman, Cole & Bierman
Florence Taylor Barner | Judge | Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Hilary Creary | General Magistrate | Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Jane Cross | Professor | Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
Kemie King | Partner | King Lindsey, P.A.
Sheena Benjamin Wise | Partner | Sheena Benjamin Wise, P.A.
Tricia-Gaye Cotterell | County Attorney | Miami-Dade County
Akilah Harris-Small
Anabel Marie Cordero
Anika Ashton
Ashleigh McKenzie
Cherine Smith Valbrun
Christina McKinnon
Collett Small
Dacia Riley
Deborah PinoDenise Washington
Destinie Baker Sutton
Devona Reynolds-Perez
Gabrielle Higgins
Hope Calhoun
Juana Cetoute
Keisha Hall
Kimberley Coward
Kristina HornsbyLoris Gayle
Lorna Brown-Burton
Lucretia Pitts Barrett
Marie Elianor
Mykoll Finikin-Roumain
Nadine Girault
Nadine Mathieu
Nikeisha Pryor
Nikki Lewis SimonPam Booker Pettis
Pamela M. Gordon
Patricia Gainer Gaddis
Regina A. Faulk
Samantha Vacciana
Sashane McDonald
Shantel Woodstock
Sherea L. Randle
Sia Baker BarnesSue-Ann Robinson
Suzette Hyde
Tania Williams
Tierrel "TJ" Mathis
Vegina Hawkins
Veronica Robinson
Yolanda StraderFlorence Barner - 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Tabitha Eves - 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Fabienne Fahnestock - 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Phoebe Francios - 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Phyllis Kotey (Retired) - 8th Judicial Circuit Court
Stefanie C. Moon - 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Panayotta Augustin-Birch - U.S. Southern District of Florida
Jackie Powell - 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Mary Rudd Robinson (Retired) - 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Alana Robinson Woods - General Magistrate, 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Carole Taylor (Retired) - Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal
Connect With
us
© 2025 by Bernice Gaines Dorn Black Women Lawyers Association Designed by Aijalon Qashar