J.L. Turner Legal Association

2026 Committee Chairs, Co-Chairs & Meetings

The J.L. Turner Legal Association’s committees and sections support our mission through programming, advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement. Each committee is led by a Chair or Co-Chairs and meets regularly throughout the year. All JLTLA members are welcome to participate in one or more committees. Members may join a committee by contacting the Chair or Co-Chair directly or by attending a scheduled committee meeting. Meeting details and Zoom links will be updated by each committee.

Membership

Oversees member recruitment, retention, onboarding, and engagement initiatives to strengthen and grow JLTLA’s membership.

Co-Chairs:
Chelsey Watts & Gloria Cangé

Meeting Date & Time:
The first Thursday of each month via zoom at 7 pm.

Contact:

cwatts14@outlook.com & Gcange@lynnllp.com

Zoom Link

Criminal Law

Supports criminal law practitioners through education, discussion of legal developments, advocacy, and criminal justice–focused programming.

Co-Chairs:
Delayna Griffin
Imani Lee

Meeting Date & Time:
The third Wednesday of each month at 6 pm.

Contact:

delayna.griffin@dallascounty.org & I.Lee@dallascounty.org

Zoom Link

Black Male Initiative

Develops programs and initiatives focused on supporting, mentoring, and advancing Black men in the legal profession and pipeline.

Co-Chairs:
Byron Bailey & Trerod Hall

Meeting Date & Time:
The fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 pm.

Contact:

bbailey@byronbaileylaw.com & trerodhall@ymail.com

Zoom Link

Paralegal Section

Provides professional development, networking, and support for paralegals and legal professionals within JLTLA.

Chair:
Andrea Clark

Contact:
jltlaparalegalchair@gmail.com

Meeting Date & Time:
The fourth Thursday at 7 pm.

Zoom Link

Public Policy

Monitors legislative and policy issues affecting the legal profession and community and develops advocacy, positions, and educational programming.

Co-Chairs:
Jessica Fullilove
Jessica Paige

Meeting Date & Time:
To be announced
⏰ To be announced

Zoom Link:
To be provided by committee leadership

Finance

Oversees the financial affairs of JLTLA, including budgeting, financial reporting, sponsorship oversight, and fiscal compliance.

Co-Chairs:
Gloria Cangé
Jessica Paige

Meeting Date & Time:
First Thursday of each month at 8 pm.

Contact:

Gcange@lynnllp.com & jltlatreasurer@gmail.com

Teams Link

DBWA

Creates a supportive space for Black women attorneys through professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities.

Chair:
Skyler Arbuckle

Meeting Date & Time:
To be announced

Contact Info:

skyler.arbuckle@figdav.com

Zoom Link:
To be provided by committee leadership

Mentorship

Facilitates mentorship relationships between experienced attorneys, early-career lawyers, law students, and aspiring legal professionals.

Chair:
Skyler Arbuckle

Meeting Date & Time:
Weekly every Thursday at 6 pm
⏰ To be announced

Contact Info:

skyler.arbuckle@figdav.com

Zoom Link

Solo & Small Firm

Supports solo practitioners and small firm attorneys through business development resources, practice management guidance, and peer collaboration.

Chair:
Sharita Blacknall (info@blacknallfirm.com)

Meeting Date & Time:
To be announced

Zoom Link:
To be provided by committee leadership

Karen McCloud Trial Advocacy Clinic

Provides trial advocacy training, skills development, and experiential learning opportunities for attorneys and law students.

Chair:
Alison Battiste Clement

(Closed Committee)

WEBSITE LEGAL DISCLAIMER: J.L. Turner Legal Association (“JLTLA”) is not a law firm. JLTLA is the African-American Bar Association of Dallas, Texas. JLTLA Does not provide any legal services. JLTLA does not represent individuals, groups, or corporations in legal matters. If you need assistance with a pending legal matter, you will have to seek legal representation from an attorney in whatever state that you might live in. JLTLA cannot be retained as your attorney under any circumstances, and will not represent you in any legal matter.