McGuireWoods Charlotte associate Tyra Pearson is profiled in the Chambers DEI Global Report 2024, which highlights diversity and inclusion developments and pro bono achievements by law firms and lawyers around the world. Pearson was one of seven U.S. lawyers selected from hundreds of nominations for inclusion in the 2024 report.
Pearson’s profile focuses on her work as co-founder of Young Black Lawyers of Charlotte (YBLC). She helped create the nonprofit organization when she found it challenging to navigate the legal profession in the Charlotte region during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In late 2022, a law school colleague and I decided to take action,” she explained. “We discussed creating a safe space where young Black attorneys in the area could network and build relationships in a meaningful way. By early 2023, we had launched YBLC.”
Pearson discussed the challenges of getting YBLC up and running while maintaining a busy legal practice and shared the group’s success stories.
“The impact has been tremendous, even though YBLC is still a young organization,” she said. “We held speaking engagements at law schools and universities, hosted continuing legal education events and launched a mentorship program for law students and college students throughout North Carolina, providing valuable guidance and support.”
Pearson was a finalist for the 2024 Chambers USA Award for DEI Future Leader. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation, representing financial institutions and other corporate clients through litigation and alternative dispute resolution.