Meet Our Team
-
Valérie is one of the co-founder’s of LegallyBlack. Valerie received her JD from American University, Washington College of Law and her undergraduate degree in Political Science with minors in Legal Studies and Sociology, from the University of Central Florida. She presently works as a Trademark Attorney at WoodIP in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Valérie has always been drawn to the complexities of protecting one’s creation and a career in IP presented an opportunity to combine her creative interests with her desire to advocate. When Valérie met Kiara in her Introduction to Intellectual Property Class during her 1L year of law school, the two hit it off and went on to take several other IP classes together. In the Summer of 2019, the idea for LegallyBlack was born and the pair began planning how they wanted to form their organization. Since its founding in 2020, the two have presented to over a hundred students on IP law.
-
Kiara is one of the co-founders of LegallyBlack. Kiara received her JD from American University, Washington College of Law and her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Spelman College. She presently works as an Attorney Advisor for the Federal Communication Commission in the Wireline Competition Bureau. Prior to law school, Kiara was involved with the Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) which fueled her passion for learning more about how she can use intellectual property law to advocate for creatives of color. Throughout law school, Kiara published a number of blogs in the American University, Intellectual Property Law Brief and served as a Student Attorney in the Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic. When Kiara met Valérie in her Introduction to Intellectual Property Class during her 1L year of law school, the two hit it off and went on to take several other IP classes together. In the Summer of 2019, the idea for LegallyBlack was born and the pair began planning how they wanted to form their organization. Since its founding in 2020, the two have presented to over a hundred students on IP law.
-
Raina is the Associate Director at LegallyBlack. She graduated from American University, Washington College of Law. Raina is currently a Trademark/Copyright Associate at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP in Atlanta, GA. Raina enjoys a career in intellectual property because it presents interesting legal challenges and provides her with the opportunity to work with clients across a wide range of industries and protect their rights all over the world. She is passionate about helping creatives reap all of the economic benefits of their creative works though trademark and copyright law.
-
Nicole Martin Social Media Content Director for LegallyBlack. She graduated from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and presently works as the Legal Program Manager for the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Nicole additionally works as an Information Justice Fellow in the LLM Program in Intellectual Property at American University, Washington College of Law. She recognizes the importance of intellectual property systems in protecting creators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners. She is passionate about intellectual property because its protection fosters innovation and creativity impacting society and the world.
-
Daniel Henry is currently a Technical Specialist and an Incoming Patent Prosecution Associate at Marshall Gerstein & Borun, eagerly awaiting bar admission. Daniel has a passion for both technology and law, having earned his Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science at Kalamazoo College, he is currently in his 3rd year at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. Inspired by the evident disparity in Black IP and IP attorneys in various pivotal roles, Daniel is resolute in his mission to make a significant difference in the community and industry. Born, raised, and educated in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Daniel cherishes the unique privilege of receiving free college education through the Kalamazoo Promise. Now that he is establishing himself in Chicago, Daniel is excited about the next chapter of his career and the impact he will work to make in practice and the community.
-
LaShana Calloway is the Community Outreach Director at LegallyBlack. LaShana received three bachelors’ degrees in Comparative Literature, Communication Studies, and Advertising, as well as her Masters of Public Administration degree, from the University of Georgia, and, most recently, her JD from American University's Washington College of Law. She presently works as a Senior Grants & Contracts Manager at American University. LaShana has been aware of the knowledge disparities between creative-minded individuals in Black and other minority communities when juxtaposed with those individuals in White communities, and always wanted to use her skills and career to help decrease that knowledge gap. LaShana is an Atlanta transplant, currently living in the DMV area with her family and awaiting the start of her new career as an IP lawyer.