Amia A. Banks of Dykema’s Lansing office. Banks is also Afro-Caribbean with Trinidadian roots. She holds dual citizenship in the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.
By TNCPNEWS Staff
Three Dykema attorneys have been selected as members of The National Black Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40, an invitation-only distinction recognizing accomplished African American attorneys across the country.
The honorees are Amia A. Banks of Dykema’s Lansing office, Dominique Douglas of the firm’s San Antonio office and Jennifer Dickey of its Chicago office. Each attorney was recognized in the state where she practices.
The recognition connects Banks, Douglas and Dickey with a national network of attorneys committed to professional excellence, leadership and continued advancement in the legal field. Members gain access to professional-development resources, national events and networking opportunities.
Amia Banks recognized in Michigan
Banks is an associate in Dykema’s Lansing office whose practice focuses on real estate, regulated industries and estate planning.
She assists clients with structuring and documenting real estate, asset and business-entity acquisitions and dispositions. Her work includes negotiating complex contracts, conducting due diligence and advising clients involved in affordable housing and community-development programs.
Banks also prepares and reviews loan documents, leases, purchase and sale agreements, and third-party agreements. She advises clients on zoning, title matters, surveys and regulatory compliance.
In a Facebook post Banks said, “I’m grateful to have been named to The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in Michigan. Practicing law has given me the opportunity to work with incredible clients, colleagues, and professionals, and I’m thankful for the experiences that have shaped my career so far. I’m honored by this recognition and excited for what lies ahead.”
Her estate-planning practice reflects a commitment to helping clients preserve the legacies they have worked to build. Banks drafts wills, trusts, marital agreements, and financial and medical powers of attorney.
Dominique Douglas recognized in Texas
Douglas is an attorney in Dykema’s San Antonio office, where she concentrates on business services, financial services and bankruptcy matters.
She advises clients on debt restructuring, insolvency, commercial transactions and other business and financial concerns. Her practice combines legal analysis with a proactive, client-centered approach designed to help clients address challenges and pursue successful outcomes.
Before joining Dykema, Douglas served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Scott M. Grossman of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. She also interned with the Honorable Donald L. Graham of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
While attending law school, Douglas served as online notes and articles editor for the Mississippi Sports Law Review. Her article, “Mission Impossible: Protecting Our Rich History While Fighting for Bowl Game Eligibility,” was published in the Houston Business Law and Tax Journal.
She was also a member and Invitational Cup chair of the University of Mississippi Negotiation and Arbitration Board.
Jennifer Dickey recognized in Illinois
Dickey is an associate attorney in Dykema’s Chicago office. Her practice focuses on data privacy, artificial intelligence and regulatory compliance.
She helps organizations navigate changing privacy laws, develop compliance programs and implement strategies intended to reduce legal and operational risks. Her experience includes regulatory strategy, incident response and AI governance.
Dickey has contributed to national artificial-intelligence policy through the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Working Group. She also counsels clients on legal risks associated with emerging technologies.
During law school, Dickey was selected as a Google Policy Fellow and authored policy briefs addressing emerging technologies, including neurotechnology and augmented and virtual reality.
Her experience also includes supporting privacy initiatives at Mastercard and conducting research for the Future of Privacy Forum on biometrics, artificial intelligence and youth privacy.
Building professional influence and representation
Recognition programs such as the Top 40 Under 40 can strengthen professional visibility while expanding what sociologists call “social capital”—the relationships and networks that help people exchange knowledge, locate opportunities and increase their influence. For example, connecting attorneys working in Michigan, Texas and Illinois can create pathways for mentorship, referrals and collaboration across different areas of law.
The National Black Lawyers is an invitation-only professional-development and networking organization composed of leading African American attorneys from across the United States. According to the organization, candidates are identified through a multiphase selection process that includes peer nominations and independent research.
For more information, visit The National Black Lawyers.
