Wednesday Wonder Woman: Brittany A. Whittington

Brittany A. Whittington is a graduate of the illustrious Spelman College, where she graduated Suma Cum Laude and a graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law.  

Upon graduation from law school, Brittany began her legal career working as a Civil Rights Employment Discrimination Attorney.  She settled numerous cases, most notable, the major class action against New United Motors.  During this time, she also taught street law to intercity students in Oakland, giving them applicable legal knowledge.

She then began her career as a Deputy District Attorney and spent her first several years as a misdemeanor trial lawyer and conducting felony preliminary hearings.   Brittany was subsequently assigned to the felony trial team and has tried over 50 jury trials. 

This DA currently handles domestic violence cases where she prides herself in encouraging the reluctant victim and assisting the victim in making the decision to testify against her abuser.    

Brittany sits on several boards.  She is the Vice President of Community Events of the Bay Area Black Prosecutors, she is the Planning and Event Chair of the Solano County Black Lawyers, she is a member of the Bay Area Woman’s Lawyer Association, Charles Houston Bar Association and the California Association of District Attorneys.  This Wednesday Wonder Woman is also committed to community work.  She sits on the board and serves her community as a coach for Girls on the Run.  Learn more about Brittany and her latest venture below.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Brittany, Brittany?

Brittany: My swagher is best described as Bold, Brilliant, and Beautiful.

Bold stands for the idea that we are able to stand strong and solid in our convictions and beliefs and not feel bad about it.

Brilliant keeps me grounded in the idea that it is necessary for us to use our minds.  That is the one thing no one can take from you.

Beautiful!  There is beauty in all of us and it is okay to own our beauty, embrace it, and find pride in it.

Fancy : What sparked your interest in law?

Brittany: When I was a little girl, I was good at collecting and analyzing facts. I then used those facts to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. I had the gift of persuasion and was able to communicate my opinion well. I did not know it, but I was practicing being a lawyer. My family saw something in me and began to speak that into my life. By second grade, my family, friends and teachers were saying, “You are going to be a lawyer when you grow up.” By high school, I knew that I was going to be lawyer and set out to achieve that goal.  I continued down the path of becoming a lawyer, because the subject was interesting and intellectually stimulating.

Fancy: So, you are currently a Deputy District Attorney, but we know that you started out as a Civil Rights Employment Discrimination Attorney. Personally, I think many overlook discrimination in their workplace for fear of losing their jobs, but how common is discrimination reported and legal action taken? 

Brittany: I do not have hard statistics, but the percentage of work place discrimination that is actually reported is extremely low.  The low numbers of reports are because once the person who is discriminated against reports the discriminatory conduct, the situation can become worse for them.  So, oftentimes employees will keep discrimination to themselves for self-preservation.  Additionally, many times in the legal arena, people of color are either the sole minority employee or are one of a few.  This isolation makes it harder to stand against an entity or firm.  That is why creating Layla the Lawyer is such an important and powerful image.  Now, young girls at an earlier age can aspire to become lawyers creating more diversity and bringing more people or color into all areas of the work force.

Fancy: Tell us about Layla the Lawyer?

Brittany: Layla the Lawyer is a character that I created.  She is currently depicted in a children’s book series called, “Layla the Lawyer”.  Her image is one that many young girls can relate to.  She is cute, has brown skin and natural curly hair.  She has swag… with her pink shirt and teal suit coat with stars, and of course, those power pearls.  Layla was created to make all girls look in the mirror and embrace everything about themselves and love the skin that they are in.

Fancy: What lessons do kids learn from the book series?

Brittany: Analyze facts: Layla shows kids how to gather facts and evaluate them individually and together.

Arrive at conclusions: Layla teaches kids how to use the facts to reach reasonable conclusions.

Accept consequences: Layla helps kids remember there are consequences to their actions. This motivates kids to make better choices.

Appreciate diversity:  Layla and her friends all look different and come from different backgrounds, but they all work together and help each other make good choices.

Aspire to future plans: Layla helps kids think about their future careers and allow them to see that pursuing a career path as a lawyer is obtainable. Edward helps young boys see their future in law enforcement. Margot helps kids see careers as a judge.

Apply Lawyer Lingo: Layla teaches kids fun words that lawyers use. This helps kids expand their vocabulary.

Fancy: So, you are still a practicing trial attorney and now an author.  How has being a trial lawyer helped you write Layla the Lawyer?

Brittany: Every time I try a case, it is my job to prove to a jury that someone committed a crime resulting from a bad decision.  Because we are not on scene when the crime occurred and often times, there is no video footage of the incident; my role in court is to present facts for jurors to understand what happened.  This is what we do everyday in life.  It is common sense.  If the light is green, and you are going through the intersection, we know the light is red for the cars going in a different direction.  So, I used what I do in trial and apply it to issues that kids face on the playground.  Essentially Layla reasons through problems that her friends face, similar to me reasoning through problems in the criminal justice system.  After a person is found guilty, I ask for consequences for their actions.  Likewise, Layla helps her friends figure out age appropriate consequences after it is determined who made the bad decision.

Fancy: You used to practice in the Domestic Violence unit in your office, and we have seen several athletes and men in the media accused or arrested for domestic violence.  One case many of us are following on social media is that of Fabolous and the state of New Jersey. What do you think can be done to eradicate domestic violence, especially in the African American Community?  

Brittany: We need to utilize more resources.  We need more mentoring programs that teach respect for ourselves and one another.  Churches and other organizations where African Americans regularly gather should look to put on workshops where men can mentor boys and women can mentor girls to promote respect and positive relationships between the two.  These programs should additionally teach job skills, tools for daily living, accountability and give them hope and insight so that they don’t want to make decisions that mess up their bright futures.  I also believe Layla will be a positive image for our young girls, and they will begin to see themselves as Bold, Beautiful and Brilliant.  Thus, encouraging high self-esteem and causing them to choose healthy relationships.  Along the same lines, Layla the Lawyer promotes esteem in young boys too.  Edward, the character modeled after my son, is the bailiff in the court room.  His image and role in the books encourage our boys to seek careers in law enforcement and also allows them to see the value in girls by appreciating the attributes that we bring to the table.

Fancy: What’s one fun fact about you?

Brittany: I love to step and dance.  My sister and I created a step and dance team at the high school we attended.  We also went back and taught girls who came after us for several years.  We were actually called the No Limit Steppers.   

Fancy: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?

Brittany: November 15, 2018:  Layla the Lawyer: The Case of the Missing Cookies will be released!!

November 17, 2018 Layla the Lawyer will launch in an all-day Celebration!!

            Girls on the Run 5k 9 am-11 am

            Layla the Lawyer Book Launch Party

            Christian Girls Rock 5 pm-10 pm

Visit my website for more details.

Fancy: What is your goal?

Brittany: My goal is to inspire every girl to be whatever SHE wants to be, even a lawyer!! 

Ask the readers: Follow and like @laylathelawyer.  Please purchase a book for a girl you know, love and want to inspire.  If you simply want to inspire a girl, even one you may not know, purchase a book or a few and in the details, section write: #inspireagirl.  When you do this, I will too.  So, two books will be donated to girls who don’t have access or means to purchase one.  I have identified organizations that I would like to partner with and want every girl to know that they have what it takes, because Layla, “Figured it out’” and they can too.

Connect with Brittany below.

Website: www.layla-the-lawyer.com

Business Instagram: @laylathelawyer

Personal Instagram: @Britt_Starr_15

Business Facebook: @laylathelawyer

Professional Facebook: Brittany Armstrong Whittington