Attorney Janice Brown has long dedicated herself to helping those who need it, and her hard work is starting to pay off. Brown, founder and CEO of Brown Law Group in San Diego, has participated actively with the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) for a few years by integrating the group’s mission into her legal practice and advocacy for woman in the field of law. Now, she has been elected to a three-year term as a board member for the organization. A national network of more than 600 distinguished attorneys as vital resources in building strategic alliances among firm members, NAMWOLF supports growth and success, fostering the formation of minority and women-owned law firms and encouraging women and minorities to pursue careers in the legal profession. “My commitment to NAMWOLF started three years ago,” said Brown, “and my connection to the organization and its mission has grown as I have become increasingly familiar with its goals and objectives for women or people of color from throughout the country. “It was one way as an encouragement to overcome the myth that corporations do not want to do business with them,” she said. “That’s not true and there are a number of corporations that are interested.” She has served the organization as editor of the NAMWOLF newsletter for two years, written articles and interviewed corporate partners and financial contributors. Brown assisted the organization with recruiting Sempra Energy as a corporate partner and has encouraged Liberty Mutual, CBS, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Wells Fargo and Fox to join NAMWOLF. “Prejudice is difficult, period,” she said. “It’s everywhere, but things are getting better. At least there is a perception that education and economic success is a way to overcome prejudice. “It’s really interesting and different in San Diego. I have been well-received here and in the state. I do think there are certain elements that have received women particularly well. We have had women district attorneys, chief judges of the federal and superior courts and one or two in the council.” Brown’s specialization in preventative employment law is uniquely defined by the fact she is also an accomplished trial lawyer. “We try to help companies understand what the risks are and to avoid a trial,” she said. These suits might include disability termination, racial discrimination and harassment issues. Brown cited Anita Hill’s 1991 charges against Clarence Thomas as a major factor in the rash of sex harassment lawsuits. “Claims went up the roof from there,” she said. “Most of those, in my view, don’t result in a victory. Few go to trial and only a few make big dollars.” She’s also an exceptional public speaker and has openly voiced her experiences with racial and sexual discrimination throughout her career as an African-American woman. In 1987, Brown was named trial lawyer of the year at the U.S. Department of Justice and has been selected as a San Diego Super Lawyer each year from 2007 through 2011. Her involvement in the community has been extensive and has included the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, past president of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association and as vice president of the San Diego County Bar Association.
