PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — “Today is Justis Connection’s birthday!” Kisha Brown cheerfully told her Instagram followers on Jan. 11.
The social media post marked the second anniversary of a service the former civil rights attorney felt compelled to launch.
“Justis Connection is the first online Black attorney referral platform in the country,” Brown told 7News.
From business or family law to estate planning and personal injury, Brown provides a resource she said is extremely difficult to find.
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“We as Black lawyers were knowingly leaving our community most vulnerable in a legal system that historically and continuously marginalizes and oppresses us. And so, we needed to be able to have a network to purposely connect us,” Brown said.
Black attorneys are in short supply. A national survey released by the American Bar Association last year shows only 5% of active lawyers in reporting states were Black while 81% were white.
“We ensure that, that person is properly barred in the state that they say they are as well as not having any current or pending grievances against them,” Brown explained.
Attorneys then pay a monthly or yearly fee for being connected to customers. Those in need of a lawyer like, Mark Lawrence pay nothing.
Lawrence founded a professional services firm called Inncuvateand used Justis Connection to find two Black attorneys.
“It’s really about the idea of when you talk about communities and representation, people that can have the same experiences or similar or have the empathy or can understand your customs and your culture,” Lawrence said.
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Brown said since she started her business in 2021, more than 1,100 people have reached out to Justis Connection for legal help.
Largo Attorney Vernon Brownleewho specializes in criminal and DUI defense said having the referral and professional development support is invaluable.
“Justis Connection has put me in contact with other legal professionals that I can rely on for legal questions, legal support and also it helps me connect with legal clients,” Brownlee said.
TheJustis Connection partners with 30 attorneys in the D.C. Metro area and has now expanded to Florida, Georgia, New York and Chicago. The ultimate goal is to go global.
“The full vision is for it to be an online marketplace dedicated to the Black experience in the law,” Brown said.
