Zenell B. Brown, Esq. has worn many hats during her legal career. She began as a paralegal and currently serves as the Court Administrator. She melds her court leadership, crucial conversation, dispute resolution skills, and diversity skills and leads the administrative operations of the Third Circuit Court in Michigan, one of the busiest trial Courts in the nation.

Her court is a role model for the development and implementation of its Diversity and Inclusion Plan, and Zenell has shared the lessons learned and best practices from this endeavor at local and national conferences for judges, court managers, lawyers, and paralegals. She has served as a consultant to courts, colleges, and non-profits interested in developing and advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives and strategies.

Zenell is a current faculty member of the Institute of Court Management, the Michigan Judicial Institute, and the Michigan Women Lawyers’ Leadership Academy, focusing on the topics of strategic thinking and planning, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion.

During the pandemic, Zenell authored and published Coffee and Conversations: Inclusion and Belonging, a 28 minute read encouraging the legal community to stir up good conversations and start creating inclusion where they are right now with what they have.

In addition to her leadership roles in numerous bar associations, Zenell is active in Detroit Affiliate of the Black Child Development Institute, currently serving in the role of President, and in Leaders Advancing & Helping Community’syouth programs. For her work in advancing the interests of African Americans and women, she was awarded the National Sojourner Truth Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women, Inc.in 2021.

On the weekends, Zenell can be found in her studio painting and creating mixed media art for journals, cards, and clothes. In fact, when she presents she often wears her Zen Brown creations.

For consulting, training, and speaking opportunities, you may contact Zenell at Zenell@allinspiringminds.com or (313) 587-8721.