Our Team
Andrea N. Rivers
Andrea N. Rivers is a 2021 graduate of the part-time division of American University Washington College of Law. During law school, Andrea dedicated her spare time to pre-law initiatives by serving in various roles, such as both the regional and national Director of Pre-Law Affairs for the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA); a mentor with ADVANCE, a mentorship program geared toward the retention of first-generation law students; and she assisted Evangeline Mitchell with the development of Bridge Builders Esq., a national virtual mentorship program for Black pre-law students. Prior to law school, Andrea earned her Bachelor of Arts in economics from Howard University. She is an associate at Baker McKenzie's Washington, DC office, focusing on antitrust and competition law. Andrea co-founded Black JD, Inc. because she believes in the benefits of early mentorship. Aside from mentorship and her commitment to Black JD, Andrea loves traveling, restaurant outings, fashion, and dogs.
(K)ny T. Cordes
Kny Cordes is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she served as the DC Representative for the Bar Association and worked as a student advocate-attorney, assisting small businesses with intellectual property (IP) and transactional matters. She gained invaluable experience in patent law at Latham & Watkins, contributing to complex IP cases and supporting the firm’s Black Lawyers Affinity Group. Before law school, Kny graduated with honors from Howard University and was deeply involved in grassroots organizing, advocating for labor rights, leading protests, and working with policymakers on public education reform.
Kny founded the Sol Co Initiative, a platform that fosters cooperative economics and provides resources to empower businesses and artists. She also volunteers with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (MDVLA), supporting creatives and small businesses, and serves on the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA) educational committee. Her passion for combining law, art, and entrepreneurship continues to drive her efforts to create meaningful opportunities for underrepresented communities.
In her free time, Kny enjoys spending time with loved ones, being a proud paw mom, watching classic films, practicing dance, Pilates, or yoga, and engaging with beauty and art. She approaches life with intention, a love for community, and a passion for creating meaningful connections.
Arianne C. Connell
Arianne C. Connell graduated from New York University School of Law in May 2021, and she recently joined the corporate group at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher LLP. She is originally from Brooklyn, NY, and graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Economics in 2016. Before starting law school, she worked at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, which has diverse pro bono and training departments. She was also an SEO Law Fellow at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP. While in law school, she was the co-chair of NYU’s Black Allied Law Student Association and was involved with the International Law Society, Women of Color Collective, Courtroom Advocates Project, and Anti-Trafficking Advocacy Coalition. She was also a student advocate for the Reproductive Justice Clinic and the Mediation Clinic, and she was the Senior Symposium Editor for the NYU Journal of Legislation and Public Policy.
Throughout her legal journey, Arianne has remained committed to uplifting and empowering the Black community, and she continues to do so by working with Black JD. In her spare time, she loves watching crime dramas and traveling worldwide. As a Bajan, she especially enjoys her travels to Barbados and other islands in the Caribbean since she loves spending time at the beach.
Delonie A. Plummer
Delonie A. Plummer is a 2018 graduate of Pace University School Law School. During law school, Delonie served as the Vice-Chair and Director of Communications of the Northeast Regional Black Law Students Association and served in leadership roles for her local Black Law Students Association Chapter. Prior to law school, Delonie graduated from the State University of New York at Albany. There, she majored in Criminal Justice and minored in English Studies. Delonie is currently an Associate Attorney at Jackson Lewis P.C. where she advises and defends organizations and higher education institutions on general workplace matters, employment litigations, traditional labor, data breaches, restrictive covenants, and fair housing matters. Through her practice, Delonie hopes to advocate for cultural awareness in the workplace.