Bringing Passion to the Courtroom

Written by Shala Hainer Tuesday, February 21 2012

Snapshot: Janice Brown, Founder and Senior Partner, The Brown Law Group
Attorney Janice Brown set out to create a different kind of law firm – non-competitive, client-focused and diverse. Based in San Diego, The Brown Law Group is a boutique firm of trial lawyers who specialize in employment and business litigation and the practice of preventative law.

Brown believes the face of a good lawyer isn't defined by gender or race – although most of the lawyers in her office are women, and she reaches out to the next generation of professional women by volunteering with groups such as the local Girl Scouts and the San Diego African-American Bar Association. Her desire to give back started early: After finishing undergraduate school, she became involved with the United Service Organizations (USO), where she traveled around the world singing in performances for military personnel.

Brown has honored with numerous awards and recognitions such as Trial Lawyer of the Year from the Department of Justice, Lawyer of the Year from the California Association of Black Lawyers, Diversity Professional of the Year from the San Diego County Bar Association, one of San Diego’s 10 Coolest Women and the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Merit Award from her law school alma mater, Gonzaga University.

Womenetics: How did traveling with the USO change your perspective and help you reach goals in your law career?
Janice Brown: The USO was an amazing experience. I went from being a college student in Missoula, Mont., to being on stage in Seoul, Korea, singing to military troops. It opened my eyes to the world and expanded my limits, which assisted me in setting goals for my law career.

Womenetics: You've mentioned that while working with the Department of Justice Honors Program in tax law, you experienced sexism and racism directed toward you. How did that experience help you find your focus with the Brown Law Group?
Brown: That experience helped me learn to define myself, as opposed to how others defined me. Defining myself creates a level of confidence that leads to focus for BLG and in life.

Womenetics: You often speak fondly of your mentor, Bonnie Reading, who was a law partner at Seltzer Caplan McMahon and who influenced and supported you early in your career. Even though she passed away in 1995, you've said that she continues to inspire you. How do you try to share lessons you learned from her with other women?
Brown: Yes, often Bonnie told me to see myself beyond what I believed was possible. She taught me to take care of myself and to “growl back” if necessary. Bonnie exuded class but humanity.

Womenetics: You've tried to develop a unique culture in your employees and your clients. What makes your firm so different?
Brown: We focus on the work, not our egos about the work. We are a team. We respect one another. We encourage vacations. We train continuously. We promote self-improvement, vacations and healthy lifestyles.

More Janice Brown Janice Brown is one of the lawyers featured in “The Road to Independence: 101 Women's Journeys to Starting Their Own Law Firms.” This book features 101 letters from women who have taken the bold step of creating a law firm of their own. The letters reflect the voices of women who are happy with their practices, proud of their entrepreneurial spirit and business development skills, and eager to share their advice with others who may be emboldened to follow in their footsteps. The book is available on the American Bar Association website.

Womenetics: How do you market your firm and find such big clients as Wells Fargo and Pfizer?
Brown: Boutique firms, especially in employment law, are a smart value for companies - big and small. Smart companies, like Wells Fargo and Pfizer, understand a good value and great legal service.

Womenetics: With your busy schedule as an attorney and businesswoman, how do you make time to mentor young women through the Girl Scouts, the San Diego African-American Bar Association and other groups?
Brown: It is a challenge. Some weeks I do better than other weeks. I remember that “Outlook” is my friend. If it isn’t calendared, it doesn’t happen.

Womenetics: You've earned many awards and accolades, including Trial Lawyer of the Year from the Department of Justice and Diversity Professional of the Year from the San Diego County Bar Association. Which has meant the most to you, and why?

Brown: The older I get, the less meaning the awards have. Don’t get me wrong - I am grateful for them, but with time, they matter less. If I had to pick one, it would be the Department of Justice Award. It was my first as a lawyer (in 1987), and it was for my trial skills.

Womenetics: If you could change one thing from your past professional life, what would it be, and why?
Brown: I would change how I used to think that I was lawyer; instead of thinking “I am a human being that practices law.” It would have made me and those around me more at peace.

Womenetics: What is the best piece of advice you give to young women seeking a career as an attorney?
Brown: Be authentic. Gain confidence and knowledge in who you are and “do you.” Authenticity is attractive. It is the shortest distance between a dream and the realization of that dream. Yes, it would be “do you.” And if you don’t know who you are, spend time to find out.

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Check out these stories about other compelling women with legal expertise:

House Minority Leaders Doubles as Serial Entrepreneur

Super Lawyer Sara Goldsmith Schwartz Grows Her Firm and Her Family

Organizational Mastermind Impacts Courtroom and Community

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Based near Atlanta, Shala Hainer has been writing and copyediting since 1995. Beginning her career at newspapers such as the Marietta Daily Journal and the Atlanta Business Chronicle, she most recently wrote and edited articles for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. She earned a bachelor’s in communications from Jacksonville State University.