Paulette Brown’s official foray into  DEIB practices serendipitously occurred in 1986 when she served as a member of the inaugural Task Force to study the experience of “minorities” in the judicial system in New Jersey.  She later served on a similar Task Force for the Third Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. 

Having practiced law (labor & employment) for more than forty-five (45) years, including three as a judge, MindSetPower through Paulette Brown brings a unique perspective to the business of Diversity Equity Inclusion, and Belonging. She has been in the people business for the entirety of her career.

In 2006, Paulette served on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women and co-authored the Report: Visible Invisibility: Women of Color in Law Firms

While retaining partner status in her firm,  she was tapped to lead her firm’s DEI strategies, becoming the first person in an AmLaw 100 firm to hold the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer title. 

Paulette’s in-depth training experience arose due to a lack of DEIB training adaptability while searching for the type of trainer required for her organization.  She then developed her own training materials and conducted her own training in 2007.

In 2015-2016, Paulette became the first woman of color to serve as president of the American Bar Association. During that tenure, eight policies enacted by the ABA Governing bodies permanently changed the DEIB landscape.  

One of the most notable policies was the adoption of Resolution 113, which asks corporations to engage more diverse attorneys to be staffed on their matters and use more of their legal spending on diverse teams. A Model Diversity Survey was developed as an accountability tool for law firms and the corporations they serve.

Ms. Brown is a nationally recognized leader for her dedication and achievements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the impact of implicit bias. She is a frequent speaker and educator on such topics. Ms. Brown is co-author of two ground-breaking reports, “Visible Invisibility: Women of Color in Law Firms” and “Left Out and Left Behind: The Hurdles, Hassles and Heartaches of Achieving Long-Term Legal Careers for Women of Color.”

Ms. Brown is a Howard University and Seton Hall University School of Law graduate and has won numerous awards and honors, including the Margaret Brent Woman of Achievement Award from the ABA and the C. Francis Stratford Award, the highest award conferred by the NBA.