ABOUT US

Mission
Board of Directors
The Bar Association & Foundation
Past Presidents

Our Mission

The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the political, economic, educational, social, legislative and legal interests of the Black community in San Diego County.

We are committed to defending the legal and human rights of all people, promoting the administration of justice, eradicating the root causes of racism, promoting the professional and personal interests of its individual members, and preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.

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  • Access to Justice & Support

    The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association is dedicated to helping the Black community access effective legal representation and advice. To that end, we sponsor events like our popular Neighborhood Law School.
    These courses are designed to give useful legal information on a variety of topics to the public, including employees, business owners, landlords, renters, or anyone who lives or works in San Diego.

  • Preserving Our History

    The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association was originally founded in 1976 as the Association of Black Attorneys of San Deigo County.
    The Association was dedicated to advancing the political, economic, educational, social, legislative and legal interests of the black community in San Diego County-a mission we proudly carry to this day.

  • Increasing & Fostering Diversity

    The Earl B. Gilliam Foundation is our Association's charitable arm. It aims to help diversify the legal community by providing scholarships for law students and support for black legal professionals.

    To find out more about the Earl B. Gilliam Foundation, or to donate, please visit the Foundation's website by clicking here.

Board of Directors

2022 - 2023

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Desirae Sanders

President

Desirae Sanders has served San Diego County as a Deputy Public Defender since 2011. She has practiced in several different divisions within the office, including adult criminal defense, juvenile justice division (formerly known as juvenile delinquency), and the mental health unit. A native Kentuckian, Desirae earned her Juris Doctorate from Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Management from the University of Kentucky. Desirae has
served on the Board of Directors of EBGBA the past two years, is a member of San Diego County Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and a member of several community professional organizations. When not working, Desirae spends her free time mentoring and coaching young women. She is the head women’s basketball coach at Sweetwater High School and made history this past season at the school as the first women’s basketball team to make it the CIF San Diego Section championship game in CIF playoffs. Desirae is the proud mother of an astute son who is a recent Howard University graduate.

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Taneashia Morrell

Vice President

Taneashia R. Morrell works at the Salk Institute in their tech transfer office, handling  licensing and other intellectual property matters. Previously, she was a Staff Attorney at  the Legal Services of South Central Michigan. She was also a Judicial Law Clerk to the  Hons. Rosemarie Aquilina and Hugh B. Clarke Jr. at the 30th Circuit Court and the 54-A  District Court, respectively.  

Taneashia currently serves on several professional legal committees in California,  Washington D.C., and Michigan. In 2015, Taneashia earned her J.D. cum laude from  Western Michigan University, and in 2017, her LL.M. from Michigan State University.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., American Inns of Court, and the San  Diego County Bar Association. 

Taneashia is a mother to a Navy Veteran and a grandmother to six adorable grandchildren.  In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading, and playing the guitar and drums.

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Donte Wyatt

Treasurer

Donte T. Wyatt obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Diego State University in Political Science and Africana Studies. Mr. Wyatt was the Outstanding Graduate for the Africana Studies Department and he obtained his degree in Political Science with Distinction. Mr. Wyatt obtained his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law. 

Mr. Wyatt spent over ten (10) years as a Deputy District Attorney. Donte Wyatt currently is a sole proprietor at the Law Offices of Donte T. Wyatt, primarily focusing on criminal defense.

Mr. Wyatt has served as the  Polemarch/President of the San Diego Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. Mr. Wyatt is Life Member and active in both: the California Association of Black Lawyers and the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association.

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Adam Stone

Board Member at Large

Born and raised in southeast Michigan, Adam Stone is a graduate of Adrian College and California Western School of Law. He carries a dual license as an attorney and real estate broker. During his career, Adam gained vital experience representing entrepreneurs, municipalities, cell phone carriers, and residential housing providers.

Adam embraces the challenge of resolving legal issues and disputes with a client-oriented, creative problem solving approach.  As an EBGBA board member, Adam intends to use that approach to help increase its impact in the San Diego community. One of his main goals as board member is to help the EBGBA in its collaborations with other organizations to increase real estate ownership within San Diego's Black community.

Today, Adam lives in San Diego with his wife, newborn son and dog. In his free time, Adam loves to be outdoors, talk about sports and real estate, and travel. 
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Jenerra Crenshaw

Board Member at Large

Jenerra Crenshaw is an attorney in the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office. As a Deputy Public Defender, she has been advocating for the rights of indigent juveniles and adults accused of committing crimes since 2012. Jenerra currently serves as the Communications Coordinator for the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Panel, and as a Board member for the Public Defender Association (PDA).  

As a trial attorney, Jenerra has tried more than 60 trials to verdict with charges ranging from low level petty theft through more serious offenses, including murder. Jenerra earned her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern Law School in May 2011. During law school, Jenerra was a member of Southwestern Law Review and served as the Historian for the National Black Law Students Association. Prior to attending law school, she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University Long Beach. 

When not fighting for justice, and mentoring new and aspiring attorneys, Jenerra enjoys spending time with her family, discovering new music, and indulging in self-care.

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Michael Bordeaux

Michael Bordeaux

Board Member at Large

Michael Jacques Bordeaux has served as a San Diego County Deputy Public Defender since 2013. He earned his Juris Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Africana Studies from San Diego State University. While in Law School, Michael clerked for the Honorable Joseph A. Greenaway Jr., United States circuit judge, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and also clerked for the Honorable Patti Jo McKay, Appellate Division for the Los Angeles Superior Court. He currently serves as a board member at-large with the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association and is a member of the California Public Defender’s Association. Michael is married to Family Law Attorney Deanne Arthur Bordeaux of the Law Office of Deanne Arthur, and is an extremely proud father of three; daughter Dia; bonus son, Titus; and son, Michael Jr.

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Ashanti Smith

Board Member at Large

Ashanti Smith is originally from Compton, California. Prior to living in San Diego, she has lived in Italy, Hawaii, and Washington, DC. where she attended Howard University. The California Bar admitted Ashanti in 2021. She started her dream career as an attorney at the Office of the Primary Public Defender in 2021. Prior to working as a Public Defender, she worked at Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) in government contracts. At BAH, she became the President of the African American Network serving over 30,000 employees in order to bring awareness to diverse issues that were actively occurring during the pandemic.

When she is not working, she is the mother of two amazing children. Ashanti prides herself in her empathy, advocacy, and determination in collaborative justice. Her hobbies include spoken word poetry, chess, and safe activities in nature. Her overall goal is to circumvent the school-to-prison pipeline within the criminal justice system.

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Christopher Hines

Board Member at Large

Christopher E. Hines is a native of San Diego, but credits his upbringing to his time spent in Philadelphia. A graduate of Howard University, he received his B.A. in Journalism with a minor in Art History. He received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. In his most recent role, he provided procurement life-cycle management support to the Department of Navy, advising the government on acquisition strategies per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR) guidance. Christopher’s professional experience includes positions with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla Playhouse, and National Conflict Resolution Center providing small claims mediation within the San Diego County Superior Court. Additionally, Christopher founded a consulting firm, while awaiting bar results, aimed at providing fundraising and grant writing services to local nonprofits. He is an avid cyclist and enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.

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Maresa Talbert, 2022

Maresa Talbert

Immediate Past President

Maresa Talbert is the Founding Attorney and CEO of Talbert Law Office, APC, a business and intellectual property law practice that provides representation and general counsel services to help businesses, nonprofits, and individuals with entity formation, governance and compliance issues, and intellectual property ownership to protect their brands and creative assets.

Maresa holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Baylor University, a Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law, and an Intellectual Property Professional Certification from the University of California, San Diego Extension. 

Maresa fulfills other various capacities within the San Diego community, and stays highly engaged in public policy advocacy, to include economic development, veterans' affairs, and social justice issues.  In her spare time, Maresa likes to enjoy the company of her family.

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What are the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation and the
Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association?

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In 2014, after thorough analysis, the membership and the Board of Directors of the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association voted to support creating a second organization and increasing our political and civic voice in the San Diego community.  As a result, we will have The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association and the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation, which are two separate corporate entities.  Although many people will be members of both organizations, it is legally necessary that two separate organizations exist to protect and identify the tax status of both organizations and to adequately serve the interests of San Diego County's African American community.  Further, there are certain activities that must be carried out by one entity and not the other.

Donors will be able to contribute either to the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation, or both.  Any gift or contribution to either association will be utilized to support, promote and defend the interests of San Diego County's African-American Community. Each organization may only apply funds contributed to it to accomplish its specific mission or purpose.

The Association is section 501(c)(6) under the Internal Revenue Code.  Its mission is to advance the legal, economic, social, educational, and political interests of African American lawyers and of the African-American community.  It will provide leadership on political and civic issues, make decisions on endorsing candidates for political and judicial office, and provide support or opposition on issues of important across the community.   The Association is committed to defend the legal and human rights of all citizens, promote the administration of justice, eradicate the root causes of racism, promote the professional and personal interest of its individual members, and preserve high standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.  Contributions made to the Association are not presently tax deductible.  Donors dues paying members should consult their tax advisors to determine if they qualify for a business expense or other deduction.

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and its mission is to represent the interests of the African-American legal community in San Diego County. The Foundation exists primarily to provide support for diversifying the legal community, which currently includes scholarships for law students and support for law students and African-American legal professionals in growing as attorneys, obtaining and maintaining employment, developing private practice as sole practitioners or partners within law firms, advancing in public sector employment, and related efforts.

Gifts made to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

Past Presidents

Maresa Talbert, 2022

Geneviéve Jones-Wright, 2021

Andrea St. Julian 2020 & 2019

L. Marcel Stewart 2018 & 2017

Dennis Dawson 2016 & 2015

Charles Bell, Jr. 2015 (First Foundation Pres.)

Omar Passons 2014

Udoka Nwanna 2013

Christian Scott 2012

Valoree Wortham 2011

Antoinette Middleton 2010

Doc Anthony Anderson, III 2009

Tina M. Fryar 2008

Lei-Chala I. Wilson 2007 & 2006

Petrina M. Branch 2005

S. Maria Hannah 2004

Hon. Roderick Shelton 2003

Marvin Mizell 2002

Sherry E. Thompson 2001

H.J. Sims 2000

Doc Anthony Anderson, III 1999

Lei-Chala I. Wilson 1998

Ben Johnson 1997

Harold G. Murray 1996

Vickie E. Turner 1995

Janice P. Brown 1994

Daniel E. Eaton 1993

Douglas A. Oden 1992

Randy K. Jones 1991

Hon. Randa M. Trapp 1990

Thomas Gayton 1989

Barbara Davis 1988

Mary A. Franklin 1987

Hon. H Wesley Pratt 1986

Hon. Daniel Weber 1985

Patricia Robinson 1984

Robert Bennett 1983

Hon. Daniel Weber 1982

Keith G. Burt 1981

Dennis Dawson 1980

Otis Jones 1979

Hon. Joseph K. Davis 1978

Delroy Richardson 1977

Hon. Elizabeth Riggs 1976

Hon. Napoleon Jones Jr. 1976