Paulette Brown is the first woman of color to lead the American Bar Association (ABA), as its president in its history. As the leader of this 400,000 voluntary member organization, Brown was responsible for governance, advocacy and serving as the voice and face of the ABA. Her presidential initiatives, through her Diversity & Inclusion 360 Commission, resulted in  an unprecedented number of policies developed and approved by the ABA, having a long-lasting impact on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and the justice system. Brown also made history by  simultaneously serving  as the first person of color to Chair the Labor & Employment Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Brown is  a past president of the National Bar Association (NBA). Brown is a retired Partner and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at an AmLaw law firm and a former judge in New Jersey. She Chairs the Board of the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice and  is internationally recognized for her dedication and efforts relating to diversity, equity & inclusion, including the impact of implicit bias and is a frequent speaker and educator on both. Brown  is the co-author of three ground-breaking Reports, “Visible Invisibility: Women of Color in Law Firms”; “Left Out and Left Behind: The Hurdles, Hassles and Heartaches of Achieving Long-Term Legal Careers for Women of Color”; and “Legal Careers of Parents and Caregivers.”  She has also authored several articles relating to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Brown is a graduate of Howard University and Seton Hall University School of Law where she has been honored with their alumni awards and  has received numerous other awards and honors, including the Margaret Brent Woman of Achievement Award from the ABA and the C. Francis Stradford Award, highest award conferred by the NBA. Brown holds three honorary doctorate degrees. She also serves on the Boards of The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. the Community Trust Foundation of NJ and Seton Hall Law School.