The National Black Lawyers Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40

"God gives nothing to those who keep their arms crossed." - African Proverb #TheNBL #TheNBLTop100 #TheNBLTop40Under40 #Quote #MotivationalQuote #MondayMotivation #Monday

Michael L. Boykins is the office managing partner for the Firm’s Chicago office. He focuses his practice on corporate finance, representing corporate and individual lenders, investors, and borrowers in connection with secured and unsecured credit facilities, asset-based lending, high-yield financings, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) financings, acquisition financings, over-the-counter derivatives, insurance industry financings, senior subordinated debt, mezzanine, and venture capital transactions. Michael also represents debtor committees and secured creditors in debt restructurings and workouts. We are pleased to welcome Michael Boykins as a new member of The National Black Lawyers Top 100! #TheNBL #TheNBLTop100 #BlackLawyers #BlackExcellence #LegalProfessional #MichaelBoykins #McDermottWillEmery #Illinois #Wisconsin

Meaghan is a managing associate in Orrick’s Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group with a wealth of litigation and trial experience. Meaghan is experienced in a range of state and federal litigation matters including civil and criminal conspiracy, fraud, employment, construction, pharmaceutical intellectual property rights, COVID-related insurance recovery, and class action data breach litigation. Now Meaghan focuses her practice on product liability and class action litigation. Prior to joining Orrick, Meaghan focused her practice on political law matters with an emphasis on fighting voter suppression laws and legislation that disenfranchises minorities, young, low-income, disabled, and elderly voters. Meaghan served on trial teams that successfully struck voter suppression laws in New York, Texas, Georgia, and Arkansas. In 2020, Meaghan was named to the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll with high honors after providing more than 100 hours of pro bono service before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Meaghan continues her commitment to pro bono service by providing legal services to domestic violence survivors with the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project. Meaghan earned her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law while serving in chambers with the Hon. Yvonne M. Williams of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Meaghan is located in Orrick’s Washington, D.C. office, and admitted to practice in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. We are pleased to welcome Meaghan Mixon as a new member of The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40! #TheNationalBlackLawyers #NBL #TheNBLTop40Under40 #BlackLawyers #BlackExcellence #MeaghanMixon #OrrickHerringtonSutcliffe #DC #Maryland

Attorney Kayla Kudratt, a proud 2018 AJMLS Criminal Justice Honors Program graduate, is the owner and managing attorney of her law firm, The Kudratt Law Firm, LLC, where she specializes in criminal defense and personal injury. Prior to launching her law firm, Attorney Kudratt served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Metro Atlanta where she led the District Attorney’s Office Crimes Against Women and Children/ Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Unit and handled dozens of media cases. Attorney Kudratt graduated from Georgia Southern University and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. At Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, she excelled in leadership roles, including Vice President of the Student Bar Association, and Student Director of the Street Law Program. Recognized for her academic achievements and dedication to service, she received the Phi Alpha Delta Society of Scholars distinction, the Resilience Scholarship, and the Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears Pro Bono Award for the Class of 2018. Attorney Kayla Kudratt is a dedicated leader, serving as an executive board member on the Alumni Board at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School for the past three years. She is also an executive board member of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division and holds the position of Secretary on the Executive Board of the DeKalb Lawyers Association. Attorney Kudratt is a passionate advocate for equality and justice, both in and out of the courtroom. Beyond her legal practice, she actively mentors at-risk youth and works to uplift underserved communities. Her dedication to creating meaningful change drives her career, community leadership, and volunteer efforts. #TheNBL #TheNBLTop40Under40 #BlackLawyers #BlackExcellence #LegalProfessional

"Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color." - Mary McLeod Bethune #TheNBL #TheNBLTop100 #TheNBLTop40Under40 #Quote #MotivationalQuote #MondayMotivation #Monday

Happy Thanksgiving from The National Black Lawyers! This season, we’re thankful for our vibrant community of members, the meaningful work we share, and the power of unity in the pursuit of justice. May your day be filled with joy, gratitude, and the warmth of loved ones. #HappyThanksgiving #NationalBlackLawyers #TheNBL #BlackLawyers #BlackExcellence #LegalProfessional #TheNBLTop100 #TheNBLTop40Under40

“All men can live together if they wish to.” - Josephine Baker #TheNBL #TheNBLTop100 #TheNBLTop40Under40 #Quote #MotivationalQuote #MondayMotivation #Monday

With a business background and a long career in public service, Joselynne Gardner is uniquely qualified to represent both public and corporate sector clients in commercial real estate and supply chain transactions. Mindful of both the need for efficiency in a high-volume work environment and the important ethical and regulatory considerations of clients, Joselynne takes a steady, solution-focused approach to her work. Clients value Joselynne’s creative and collaborative style, which helps them find unique solutions to the complex challenges they face in negotiating contracts and navigating complex real estate transactions, including leasing and development projects. Her broad experience across multiple areas of law informs an empathetic perspective that focuses on closing deals and achieving goals without being adversarial. Her experiences and skills have been sharpened in the crucibles of Cook County and the City of Chicago Government – with responsibility and oversight on a range of corporate and municipal matters, prior to becoming a lawyer, Joselynne had a career in management consulting. In these roles, Joselynne provided legal and business counsel to a host of corporate executives, elected officials, and government bodies relating to regulatory compliance, risk analysis, procurement, contracting, real estate, and finance. She is passionate about her community service and has spent over 15 years working with law students while they prepare to take the bar exam in Illinois and California, as well as, created pipeline programs that prepare first generation and diverse law students for successful legal careers by teaching them tools for academic and employment goals during their time in law school. We are delighted to welcome Joselynne Gardner as a new member of The National Black Lawyers Top 100! #TheNationalBlackLawyers #NBLTop100 #BlackLawyers #BlackExcellence #JoselynneGardner #Illinois

“Man gives you the award but God gives you the reward.” - Denzel Washington #TheNBL #TheNBLTop100 #TheNBLTop40Under40 #Quote #MotivationalQuote #MondayMotivation #Monday

Stefan Thomas is a trusted advisor, partner, and strategist to his clients. He works with entrepreneurs, governing boards, and C-suite executives to identify critical issues and create legal and business solutions. Stefan has been described as a “true consensus builder [who] possesses rare gifts based on his personal and professional journeys.” Leveraging his legal background of governmental agency clerkships and midsize law practice, Stefan utilizes experiences and connections to optimally position clients. As a serial entrepreneur and owner of Six K strategy consulting firm, Stefan approaches each matter with empathy and a targeted view of each client’s endgame. Stefan values every client and sees each matter as unique and deserves the utmost diligence and attention. Whether acting as outside general counsel to businesses or a legal counselor to individuals, he provides particularized strategic counsel to each client. Among his range of practice areas, Stefan’s primary areas of focus are business, commercial real estate, arts & entertainment, and education law. We are pleased to welcome Stefan Thomas as a new member of The National Black Lawyers Top 100! #TheNationalBlackLawyers #NBLTop100 #BlackLawyers #BlackExcellence #StefanThomas #Ohio