est in achieving diversity. Brown’s goal is to help them realize that aspiration. “A lot of companies seek diversity through outside counsel exclusively drawn from larger, majority-owned firms, often to the exclusion of those owned by minorities and women. Frankly, this model isn’t working very well—diversity has shown less than impressive growth at large firms over the last 20 years. While the numbers and size of majority firms may be enticing, true diversity is only achieved when our corporate partners develop long-lasting relationships with participating, truly diverse firms.”


strategies that will make the organiza- tion increasingly useful and visible. While Brown appreciates the


“ The opportunity to head an organization whose goal is diversity in the legal profession seems uniquely tailored to me.”


Since assuming the NAMWOLF


directorship, Brown has focused on improving its infrastructure and becoming better acquainted with the organization’s back office. Twice weekly, he commutes from his home in Chicago to NAMWOLF’s Milwaukee headquarters. Much of his time is spent on the phone and in meetings with corporate partners and member firms working to strengthen existing relationships and to formulate


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symbolic value that being an African American lawyer brings to his new position, he rejects the notion that the attribute is a requirement. “A trade association with a focus on diversity requires a person with leadership and vision to push it forward—a specific demographic isn’t the most important quality,” he says. Nonetheless, he admits that his combination of his personal and career experience afford him invaluable insights. “I can identify with the experi- ence and the struggle. From a personal perspective I understand how frustrating and real it is that there are individuals out there who believe that minorities and women aren’t capable of doing the work. I’ve been underestimated in private prac- tice, my abili- ties discounted based on how I looked when


I entered the room. On that same note, I can tell that they didn’t feel the same way when I left the room.” Turgood Marshall continues to


inspire Brown. “Because he was the first in so many respects, Marshall had to possess extreme confidence, strength of character and—particularly at the time—a lot of humility too,” Brown says. “He serves as an example to me and to so many in the legal profession.” Like Marshall, Brown is a Howard


University School of Law alumnus (class of 1998). Troughout law school and his career, he has relied on men- tors—of various racial and cultural backgrounds—to give him a nudge in the right direction. “I have a history of making people my mentors before they realize it,” he says with a chuckle. “I’ve always looked to people who were doing what I wanted to be doing or more skilled in an area that I was cur- rently focused on at the time. Over the years, I’ve had more than one mentor whom I’ve leaned on for a variety of things, both personal and professional.” In his new position, Brown will


now have a turn to serve and to inspire others. His decision to pursue the NAMWOLF executive directorship emerged rather serendipitously. At the time, PepsiAmericas was in the process of merging with PepsiCo and Te Pepsi Bottling Group, and was moving its headquarters to New York. Brown needed to decide whether to relocate his family halfway across the country, or look for a new job. After some thought, he decided on the latter. Soon after at a NAMWOLF board


meeting called specifically to discuss the hiring of the association’s first- ever executive director, it dawned on Brown that he was the right lawyer for the job. Not only did he have enthusi- asm for the organization’s mission, but he also possessed the required strong desire to advocate and to lead. Te rest of the board members agreed. Today, Brown sees himself as the


natural choice to lead NAMWOLF into the next decade. “Sometimes my career has a way of unfolding all on its own. Once again, it has put me in the exact place where I need to be.” D&B


Patrick Folliard is a freelance writer based in Silver Spring, Md.


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 DIVERSITY & THE BAR® 17


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