By Tony Lawson
Black-owned law firms advise companies, developers, and investors on transactions, governance, disputes, and regulatory matters that shape how businesses operate and grow.
Building a law practice that serves corporate clients, financial institutions, and real estate developers often requires years of transactional experience and sustained client relationships.
Many firms develop expertise in areas such as corporate governance, commercial litigation, real estate development, and business transactions. These practices support organizations navigating complex legal and financial environments.
This article is part of an ongoing Shoppe Black series documenting Black-owned professional firms operating across business, finance, and institutional markets.
Lewis & Munday, P.C. | Detroit, MI
Lewis & Munday, P.C. traces its origins to 1976 and is among the longest-standing Black-owned law firms in the United States.
The firm advises corporate clients, public entities, financial institutions, and developers across matters that include municipal finance, corporate law, commercial litigation, and real estate transactions.
Over several decades, the firm has represented companies, universities, government agencies, and developers across complex commercial and public finance matters. Reginald G. Dozier serves as President and CEO, and Reuben A. Munday serves as Chairman.
Lewis & Munday, P.C. has maintained offices in Detroit, Washington, DC, New York, and Connecticut and has participated in major Detroit real estate and development matters, including the Chrysler Jefferson Assembly Plant and Little Caesars Arena.
Bryant Rabbino LLP | New York, NY
Bryant Rabbino LLP was founded in 2009 by B. Seth Bryant, who serves as Managing Partner. Bryant reorganized the firm into its current structure in 2012.
The firm’s practice focuses on transactional law, including capital markets and municipal finance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate, corporate law, tax, and ERISA.
Bryant Rabbino serves as bond counsel on public debt transactions for major governmental issuers in New York, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, and New York City.
The firm has served as co-borrower’s counsel on green bond offerings totaling $4.55 billion to finance the new JFK Terminal One and has assisted the City of New York on general obligation bond issuances exceeding $5 billion.
Townsend & Lockett, LLC | Atlanta, GA
Townsend & Lockett was founded in 2010 by Travis Townsend, Jr. and D. Tennell Lockett.
Townsend serves as Co-Founding Partner, leading the firm’s business and transactional law practices, while Lockett serves as Managing Partner with a focus on intellectual property matters, including patent, trademark, and copyright law.
The firm’s practice includes mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate transactions, intellectual property matters, private equity investments, and commercial litigation.
Townsend & Lockett also serves as outside general counsel to a range of corporate clients and has provided legal services to Fortune 500 companies through secondment and trademark advisory roles.
The firm operates from offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Moore & Associates | Bowie, MD
Moore & Associates was founded by K. Teya Moore, who serves as Managing Partner.
The firm advises federal, state, and local agencies, quasi-public entities, financial institutions, and Fortune 100 companies on commercial real estate, capital markets, and corporate and regulatory matters.
Moore’s practice includes structured finance, leveraged and investment-grade financing, and asset-based financing. Much of that work centers on community reinvestment in affordable housing and small business development under the Community Reinvestment Act across the DMV and New York tri-state markets.
The firm’s client work includes advising on real estate transactions exceeding $40 million, serving as lead counsel for the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, and structuring investment funds supporting affordable housing and licensed childcare development in Maryland.
Bradford Edwards LLP | New York, NY
Bradford Edwards LLP was founded in 2020 by Patrick A. Bradford and Denver G. Edwards. The firm is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by New York City and New York State.
The firm focuses on complex commercial litigation, government and corporate investigations, regulatory enforcement defense, antitrust, creditors’ rights, and sports and entertainment matters.
Its client work includes representing Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, and executives in federal court litigation, SEC proceedings, FINRA arbitrations, and international arbitration across matters involving financial services, securities, antitrust, and corporate governance disputes.
Law firms operating at this level exist in major commercial markets across the United States. Many maintain long client histories and institutional expertise, yet receive limited editorial documentation.
Shoppe Black documents how these firms structure their practices, develop client relationships, and operate in markets where reputation and institutional trust shape long-term growth.
Firms interested in a dedicated editorial feature can submit an inquiry here.
