Bernice B. Donald

Bernice B. Donald brings over four decades of judicial experience to her dispute resolution practice, having served as a judge at every level of the federal judiciary. Her career includes tenure on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Before her federal appointments, she presided over the General Sessions Criminal Court in Shelby County, Tennessee. Throughout her career, she has managed thousands of cases involving complex legal issues ranging from intellectual property and class actions to civil rights and employment disputes.

A former federal appellate judge with extensive experience across all levels of the judiciary, offering unique insights into complex litigation and appellate matters.

She was the first African American woman to serve as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge and the first to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

She is widely regarded for her deep legal scholarship, fair temperament, and ability to navigate highly sensitive and legally complex disputes with impartiality.