Our Mission

The mission of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers is to

  • Promote and support the professional development of Black lawyers, judges, and law students in Minnesota;
  • Address the legal issues affecting the Black community in Minnesota; and
  • Advance education, excellence, and racial equity in the pursuit of justice.

Amended on February 26, 2018

MABL Founders

MABL was founded in September 1995 by a group of African American lawyers who believed in the principles of the National Bar Association and wanted to extend those principles by establishing a local chapter of the NBA in Minnesota.

Our Legacy

MABL was founded in September 1995. During its relatively short but storied history, MABL members have served in several legal capacities ranging from service on the Minnesota Supreme Court, Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Chief Judge of the Hennepin County Family Court, federal and state court judges, administrative law judges, magistrates, referees, federal, state, county, and city prosecutors and U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota.

MABL members are also well represented throughout Minnesota in private practice, with some members comprising the largest minority-controlled law firm in the Midwest. Members of the organization have been honored as "Up and Coming" attorneys in Minnesota by Minnesota's leading periodical devoted exclusively to lawyers; others have been identified as "Super Lawyers" and "Rising Stars" by other leading publications, as well. In addition, various judges have been recognized for their judicial expertise, their commitment and dedication to service, among other things.

The continuing need to address issues encountered by Black attorneys, other attorneys of color, and minority communities does not disappear. Accordingly, included among the many purposes of MABL are the steadfast convictions of promoting and supporting the professional development of Black lawyers in Minnesota, the education of Black students desiring to enter the legal profession, and the education of Black citizens regarding issues pertaining to the American judicial system.

MABL Bylaws

MABL's Board of Directors

Dana Mitchell_2

Dana Mitchell

President

FrankAba-Onu

Uzodima Aba-Onu

Immediate Past President 

Abou Amara 2

Abou Amara, Jr.

Vice President

Amanda Matchett

Amanda Matchett

Treasurer

Board Member Jules Porter at the United Nations in New York

Jules Porter

Secretary 

Lee Atakpu, MABL Board Member

Lee Atakpu

At-Large Director 

Rashanda Bruce

Rashanda Bruce

At-Large Director 

kevin_lindsey-700x700

Kevin Lindsey 

At-Large Director 

Toni Ojoyei

Toni Ojoyeyi

At-Large Director 

Ian Taylor, Jr., a Board of Director for the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers

Ian Taylor, Jr.

At-Large Director 

Brandy Johnson

Brandy EP Johnson

Student Director - Mitchell Hamline School of Law

jroby_WAMPH (1)

Julian Roby

Student Director - University of Minnesota School of Law

MINNEAPOLIS, JUNE 15: Lockridge, Grindal & Nauen new portraits, June, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Credit: Tony Nelson

Consuela Abotsi-Kowu

Student Director - University of St. Thomas School of Law