Chartwell's Breanna Sturdivant on the Influence of Trailblazers and the Need for Inclusion in the Legal Industry

Throughout the month of February, Chartwell will be featuring Black attorneys and staff who have shared their experiences, insights, and perspectives on the challenges they've encountered, the opportunities they've embraced, and the impact they continue to make in the legal profession.

Today, we're featuring Breanna Sturdivant, an associate in our Atlanta office.

‍Is there a specific experience or Black figure who you have been influenced or inspired by?

As a woman of color in the legal sector, I continue to be inspired by and influenced by the work of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Ketanji Brown Jackson. Undoubtedly, I am moved by her appointment as the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. However, I am equally inspired by her fortitude and tenacity as she expressed her distaste for the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding affirmative action. As a young attorney of color, I must realize that people such as Ketanji Brown Jackson have not only shattered glass ceilings for the coming generations but also lead by example in a challenging sector, especially in today’s political climate.

As an African American Attorney, what challenges have you overcome in your career to become the professional you are today? Or what diversity and inclusion changes would you like to see in the future of the legal industry?

Of course, as a member of the roughly 2% of Black women who are attorneys in the U.S., I wish to see additional diversity and inclusion changes to ensure the success of the legal industry. This change looks different to everyone, but I work to remedy this problem by mentoring young people who wish to become attorneys. On a larger scale, I would like to see a continued increase in embracing diversity in law firms across the country. I would also like to see a greater emphasis on diversity training and seminars to challenge the unconscious biases held by many. I share the sentiment of many in today’s world who argue that a diversity of background, experience, and perspective will always result in greater outcomes when compared to less diverse places. I am happy to be a part of a firm that values just that.

‍