McGuireWoods associate Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette has been named one of 2020’s “40 Under 40: Nation’s Best Advocates” by the National Bar Association, the oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American lawyers and judges.
The annual awards recognize lawyers under the age of 40 for high achievement in advocacy, innovation, vision, leadership, and overall legal and community involvement.
An associate in McGuireWoods’ Products, Environmental & Mass Tort Litigation Department, Mallette represents businesses in commercial litigation. She recently was accepted to the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s 2019-2021 Diverse Leaders Academy, which provides opportunities for lawyers in underrepresented groups to serve in leadership roles.
Based in the firm’s Raleigh, North Carolina, office, Mallette has held leadership roles in local and statewide legal organizations focused on diversity. She recently completed a two-year term as president of the Capital City Lawyers Association, a voluntary bar association comprised largely of minority lawyers, judges and elected officials. She also served for three years as second vice president of the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers.
A former U.S. Air Force captain and former attorney in the Air Force JAG Corps, Mallette is a council member on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Military and Veterans Law Section. She also is a member of the Junior League of Raleigh and serves on the organization’s government relations and public affairs committee.
“I am honored to be recognized by the National Bar Association and to be included with outstanding young leaders in our profession,” said Mallette. “I am also grateful to be part of a firm that supports my diversity initiatives, my community involvement and my legal career.”
“Jocelyn has demonstrated excellence as a lawyer and advocate for our clients. We are proud to see her recognized for her important contributions to the legal profession and the community and look forward to her future success,” said Ava Lias-Booker, chair of McGuireWoods’ Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Mallette and her fellow award recipients will be honored during a virtual awards gala July 25.