On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, The Miami Times published an article highlighting the challenges Black women lawyers in Florida face, including gender bias and burnout. The article features several prominent Black women in the legal profession, detailing their experiences and efforts to combat these issues.
Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes, the first Black woman to lead the Florida Bar in its 77-year history, recounted an incident where a judge assumed she was not the lead counsel in a trial, illustrating the persistent bias she encounters. Baker-Barnes noted that such experiences serve as reminders of the deep-seated biases within the legal profession that question the legitimacy of Black women attorneys.
A 2023 survey by the Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association revealed that 70% of Black women attorneys have experienced or witnessed discrimination at work. Nearly half of those surveyed reported feeling burdened by the need to educate colleagues about diversity and equity due to their race. Black women constitute only 4.1% of all U.S. lawyers, indicating a significant lack of representation. Systemic barriers have historically made it difficult for women of color to access the legal profession.
Ashley V. Gantt, a Florida state representative and the 2025-2026 president of the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers’ Association (GSCBWLA), shared her experiences of being mistaken for a courtroom clerk while working as a public defender. Gantt noted that women lawyers, particularly Black women, are often mistaken for court reporters or staff, and in some instances, even assumed to be defendants in criminal cases. Baker-Barnes emphasized the scarcity of Black women as opposing counsel, stating that she could count on one hand the number of times she has faced a Black woman in that role throughout her 20-year career.
The article cited a 2020 American Bar Association (ABA) study, “Left Out and Left Behind,” which highlighted the detrimental effects of isolation and bias on the mental health of women of color in the legal profession, leading many to leave the field. Baker-Barnes stressed that bias persists regardless of experience.
Loreal A. Arscott, a Miami native, past president of both the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association and GSCBWLA, and founder of her own law firm, recalled facing insinuations during law school that Black students were admitted solely due to affirmative action. Arscott, who consistently made the dean’s list and graduated with honors, felt that such claims negated her academic achievements. She added that law schools often train Black women to overperform and meticulously prepare to meet higher standards. Arscott also raised questions about the additional considerations Black women face regarding their physical presentation in professional settings.
Baker-Barnes acknowledged that she initially focused on excelling in her work without fully processing the biases she faced. However, she recognized that repeated experiences of isolation, bias, and unequal opportunities can erode one’s well-being.
Gantt pointed out the emotional toll of constantly solving problems as a lawyer, which can lead to burnout. Baker-Barnes shared her experience of handling emotionally taxing cases, such as a breast cancer misdiagnosis case, and the impact it had on her mental health. Arscott emphasized the importance of self-care, exercise, meditation, and prioritizing family to cope with the high-stress nature of the legal profession.
The ABA reports that many women leave the legal field due to stereotypes and barriers to advancement. Mentorship and networks are crucial for those who remain.
Baker-Barnes co-founded the Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association to connect younger lawyers with trailblazers and leaders. She emphasized the importance of providing aspiring lawyers with mentors who can offer guidance and support.
Networks like GSCBWLA, named after Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry, play a vital role in Miami. Founded in 1985, GSCBWLA provides mentorship, legal clinics, and advocacy for over 350 students, lawyers, and judges statewide. Arscott, who served as president from 2015 to 2017, aimed to create a supportive network for Black women lawyers. During her presidency, she established the Judicial Diversity Coalition to advocate for the appointment of more Black women judges to the Miami-Dade Circuit Court benches. As of 2025, there are two Black women circuit judges in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Tanya Brinkley and Michelle Delancy, along with two general magistrates and three county judges.
Janeen “Jae” Lofton, the 2024-2025 president, launched a program connecting judges and lawyers with students in law programs at majority-Black high schools. Gantt is committed to strengthening the bond between the association and law students to mentor the next generation of Black women lawyers.
Black women in law continue to build upon the legacy of pioneers who fought for inclusion and access. Baker-Barnes emphasized the responsibility to carry the weight of those sacrifices and uplift others. Arscott noted that underestimation can be a “secret weapon” for Black women, who consistently prove expectations wrong.
Source: The Miami Times
