Page 20 - Phoenix Vol 11 No 2

Being a part of the Arizona Black Bar has given me the courage and knowledge to get involved in other bar associations.”
A Network to Grow Your Career
BY BENJAMIN TAYLOR
In2005, I joined the Arizona Black Bar when the name was still the Hayzel B. Daniels Bar Association, named a er the rst black attorney to pass the Ari- zona State Bar. While at the University of Ari- zona College of Law, I was made aware of the Arizona Black Bar as a resource for African- American lawyers. I was awarded a scholar- ship from the Arizona Black Bar to help pay for tuition. I believe strongly in paying it for- ward and am proud to say I have served on the board of the Arizona Black Bar and con-
tinue as an active member.
Joining the Arizona Black Bar helped me
gain valuable experience in the legal com- munity by connecting me with judges and at- torneys who provided sage advice throughout the years. While being in the organization, I met mentors who I now consider lifelong friends. I leaned on their counsel when I le the Maricopa County Public Defender’s O ce in2010tostartmyownlaw rm.Iamnowa partner at the law rm of Taylor and Gomez, where our practice focuses on personal injury, criminal and family law.
Being a part of the Arizona Black Bar has given me the courage and knowledge to get involved in other bar associations. In 2016 and 2018, I successfully ran and won a seat on the Maricopa County Bar Association. In 2017, I won a seat on the Arizona State Bar Board of Governors where I serve as the only elected African-American attorney in over a decade. It is an honor and a privilege to repre- sent my fellow lawyers and judges in this role and I plan to run for re-election this spring. e Arizona Black Bar has been supportive of
my candidacies in these elections and I credit their e orts to my success.
e Arizona Black Bar o ers continu- ing legal education as a membership bene t. My personal education has been enhanced through these courses and by the networking opportunities o ered through the Arizona Black Bar. e National Bar Association is an a liate partner of the Arizona Black Bar and has provided me with national attorney con- tacts. Attending the National Bar Association conference is one of the highlights in my year. e Arizona Black Bar also collaborates with other Arizona sister bars which has widen my legal and personal network.
As an attorney, I have spoken out on con- troversial issues including civil rights viola- tions. During the past few years, I have been featured on local and national news media including the NBC, Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and many others. e community with- in the Arizona Black Bar provides me with encouragement to continue to speak out on these high pro le cases. I encourage all attor- neys to nd a network like the Arizona Black Bar to help grow and support their career.
Benjamin Taylor II, a partner at Taylor & Gomez LLP, earned his bachelor’s degree from ASU and his Juris Doctor from the Uni- versity of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He was honored as a 40 Under 40 by the National Bar Association and the Phoenix Business Journal, as well as one of the state’s top 35 entrepreneurs under 35 by the Arizona Republic. He was named an Unsung Hero at the Arizona African-American Legislature Conference.
ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · PHOENIX· VOL. 11 NO. 2 20