Posted February 16th, 2012 in Top Stories

Donald Lewis Named One of the Most Influential Black Attorneys

In honor of Black History Month, leading trade publication On Being A Black Lawyer (OBABL) has named the 100 most influential black attorneys. We are proud to announce that Donald Lewis, co-founder of Nilan Johnson Lewis, was named amongst OBABL’s Power 100.

As noted by Yolanda Young, OBABL publisher, the publication’s goal to advance diversity in the legal profession is particularly important given that only 5 percent of U.S. attorneys are African American. In selecting Lewis and the other lawyers, the outlet, together with a group of advisers, spent months researching prospective candidates. The selection committee read trade publications, blogs and critical reviews before selecting the top 100.

Named the dean of Hamline University School of Law in 2008, Lewis is now retired from the firm. A graduate of Harvard Law School with more than 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, his background includes defense of individual and class-based discrimination claims, civil and criminal fraud investigations, white collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation and education law.