The National Black Lawyers Lists Jamila Brinson, Shelisa Brock, Judy Bennett Garner, and Trey McDonald Among the “Top 40 Under 40”

December 16, 2019 | Attorney News



Jackson Walker proudly congratulates Jamila Brinson, Shelisa Brock, Judy Bennett Garner, and Trey McDonald on their selection to The National Black Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” in 2019.

An invitation-only network of the top black attorneys from each state, The National Black Lawyers supplies members with professional resources for increasing their knowledge and building referral connections. Members are plaintiff and defense lawyers from across the nation who practice in over 30 areas of law.

To be recognized among its list of the 40 “most talented black attorneys from each state or region who are under the age of 40,” nominees must have an outstanding reputation among peers, the judiciary, and the public; received notable achievements, settlements, and verdicts as a lawyer; nominations from leading lawyers, current members, and Executive Committee members; leadership and membership in other national and state specialty lawyer organizations; and rankings and ratings by leading national evaluation programs.

Meet Jamila

Jamila M. Brinson is a labor and employment and litigation attorney who partners with clients to proactively shape their workplaces and resolve issues when they arise. Whether handling labor and employment disputes, commercial disputes, or media, trademark, and copyright litigation, Jamila listens to her clients and creates legal strategies to obtain the best possible result. In recognition of her labor and employment practice, Jamila was among less than 2.5 percent of Texas lawyers to be named to Thomson Reuters’ “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list in 2019.

Devoted to pro bono service, Jamila coordinates the Firm’s participation in the Houston Young Lawyers Association’s Annual Adopt-an-Angel Program and the Houston Bar Association AIDS Outreach Committee’s Annual Adopt-a-Family Program. She is also certified by the State Bar of Texas as a Guardian Ad Litem and volunteers as a pro bono attorney through Houston Volunteer Lawyers on behalf of parents seeking guardianship of an incapacitated adult child.

Outside of her practice, Jamila also co-leads the Houston office’s participation in the University of Houston Law Center’s Pre-Law Pipeline Program. As a result, the Firm received a Diversity Champion Award from the program in June 2019. Also recently, the National Diversity Council recognized Jamila among the “Top 50 Women Lawyers” in honor of her participation in the program.

Meet Shelisa

Experienced in all phases of litigation, Shelisa E. Brock represents clients in a wide range of matters, including claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, and misappropriation of trade secrets as well as claims regarding business torts and employment disputes. She has also handled trademark opposition matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Shelisa volunteers her time on the Susan G. Komen Dallas County Board of Directors and with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County. She is also a member of South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. In 2019, Jackson Walker selected Shelisa to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Pathfinder Program.

Meet Judy

Judy Bennett Garner is a labor and employment attorney with experience counseling employers in various industries, including transportation, healthcare, technology, and financial services. She takes a service-oriented approach when advising and representing employers in all areas of labor and employment law, including matters involving discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and labor relations. Outside of her practice, Judy is involved in the J.L. Turner Legal Association, the Dallas Bar Association Labor and Employment Section, the Advisory Board of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and the Board of Directors of Family Compass. In 2018, Jackson Walker selected Judy to participate in the LCLD Pathfinder Program and the National Employment Law Council (NELC) Academy.

Meet Trey

William “Trey” A.I. McDonald III practices media litigation and complex commercial litigation with a focus on First Amendment, defamation, false advertising, and Lanham Act claims. In addition to his practice, Trey serves on the University of Texas School of Law Young Alumni Steering Committee, the OneGoal Houston young professional board, and the Sweat Equity Group board of directors. He also enjoys raising money for Houston-area nonprofits that uplift minority communities though his annual One Night event. In 2018, Trey was elected as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, an honor bestowed upon only one-third of one percent of State Bar members each year.