Attorney Avana Epperson-Temple was recently inaugurated as President of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA). With over seven years of dedicated service on the board, Epperson-Temple brings a wealth of experience to this role. She is committed to guiding the organization in its crucial mission of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion not only within the legal realm but also across broader societal spheres.
Reflecting on her new role, Epperson-Temple stated, “I am deeply honored to assume the role of President of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association. I remain committed to advancing the MBLA’s mission of cultivating a more diverse, inclusive and equitable legal community, as well as a judiciary that reflects the rich diversity of our Commonwealth.”
In her new capacity as President, Epperson-Temple aims to create initiatives and programming centered on elevating the holistic wellbeing of MBLA members, particularly focusing on financial, emotional and physical wellbeing. More specifically, she plans to implement financial literacy programming that offers strategies to navigate the significant challenge of student loan debt and wellness programming regarding best practices for navigating stress and trauma in the workplace. She also aims to build upon the organization’s legacy of advocacy and service by strengthening relationships with other community organizations and partners.
The Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, established in 1973, stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment. Dedicated to fostering diversity within the legal profession, the MBLA serves as a leading advocate for systemic change and social justice in Massachusetts. Through education, professional development programming and mentorship, the MBLA works to address disparities within the legal community and increase diversity in the legal profession.
For more information about the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, visit https://mablacklawyers.org/.
About Avana Epperson-Temple
Avana Epperson-Templeis a litigation and trial attorney, and she concentrates her practice in the areas of business litigation, professional liability litigation and insurance coverage litigation. She defends businesses, law firms, business owners, employers, attorneys, brokers and other professionals against allegations of malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract. She also represents insurers in coverage disputes and litigation, primarily involving commercial general liability policies and professional liability insurance policies. Epperson-Temple has successfully defended cases through trial and verdict in state court and has successfully argued before the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Epperson-Temple was appointed to the Business Litigation Session Advisory Committee by the Massachusetts Superior Court in 2022. She also serves as faculty for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.
Her additional appointments include serving on the board of Pine Street Inn, New England’s largest homeless services organization; and as a pro bono attorney for the Women’s Bar Foundation’s Family Law Project, representing survivors of domestic violence.
