Baker Botts Partners with Official Black Wall Street to Provide $10 Million in Legal Services to Support Black Entrepreneurship
A multiyear commitment will support the growth and development of OBWS and its member businesses.
PALO ALTO, September 16, 2020 – Baker Botts L.L.P., a leading international technology, energy and life sciences law firm, announced today a strategic collaboration with Official Black Wall Street (OBWS), an organization with a membership of more than 5,500 Black-owned businesses globally, to provide legal support to the organization's member businesses.
The firm has committed to providing $10 million of free legal services over the course of three years, contributing to the growth and development of the organization and its member businesses.
“Over the past several months, we have had the opportunity to conduct a series of listening and learning sessions across our offices and with our colleagues. We must acknowledge the pervasive racial inequality in our society, take ownership of it, and take action to contribute something enduring to solve the problem,” said Baker Botts Managing Partner John Martin. “This strategic collaboration is one small step in that direction. Providing equitable access to legal services is a necessary part of ensuring that Black-owned businesses thrive.”
Under the leadership of Baker Botts partner Terence Rozier-Byrd, the firm will serve as the exclusive strategic collaborator with OBWS to provide legal services to OBWS and its member network. Baker Botts will work with the organization to identify the businesses needing support and provide legal services to support Black entrepreneurship with corporate, intellectual property, labor & employment and related services.
“We are excited to work with Baker Botts and their extensive network of talented attorneys,” said Founder and CEO of Official Black Wall Street, Mandy Bowman. “Black entrepreneurs often lack the exposure and resources needed to grow a business. Familiarizing Black-owned businesses with these services will benefit them and empower the Black community through economics and ownership.”
OBWS provides business owners with advertising and exposure to customers globally and provides customers with a robust listing of businesses and deals they ordinarily would not be exposed to. The OBWS app, one of the largest app and digital platforms helping consumers find, review and support Black-owned businesses, is designed to allow users to locate businesses in any location as they travel.
ABOUT BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
Baker Botts is an international law firm whose lawyers practice throughout a network of offices around the globe. Based on our experience and knowledge of our clients' industries, we are recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. Since 1840, we have provided creative and effective legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit bakerbotts.com.
