ConnColl Alum Named to National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40

Last year Connecticut College (Conn) alum Christopher Dean was recognized on the National Black Lawyers prestigious 40 Under 40. The list acknowledges exceptional lawyers who have built reputations for excellence and are making an impact in the field. Unbeknownst to Chris, he was nominated and rigorously vetted for the highly coveted honor.

A civil rights attorney at Oakland-based firm Burris, Nisenbaum, Curry & Lacy (BNCL), Chris specializes in police misconduct and personal injury cases. He credits an undergraduate internship at the Exoneration Project, which he found through Posse’s Career Program, with sparking his interest in civil rights law.

“Posse connected me to the legal field,” he says. "Without that opportunity, I never would’ve been called to civil rights work.”

Posse connected me to the legal field. Without that opportunity, I never would have been called to civil rights work.

After Conn, Chris went on to law school at North Carolina Central and earned his J.D. in 2020.

“I feel proud to be in a class of trailblazers so early in my career. I continue to lead because the Posse Foundation saw that in me at a young age. Posse gave me permission to act as a leader in all parts of my life.”

Chris runs BNCL’s personal injury department and has been on the Bay Area Advisory Board as a PNAAC representative for several years.

“Being part of the alumni community has allowed me to learn more about the Bay, give back to Posse, and meet amazing people,” he says. “That’s why I wanted to join the board—to keep enhancing my leadership and professional skills.”

Membership with the National Black Lawyers has given Chris access to a wealth of resources, most notably, a large network and free publicity. He has already received several requests from new clients since being inducted.

“My spot on this list helps solidify the type of work I want to specialize in, allows me to continue to grow in the civil rights field, and to be a change agent in my community,” says Chris. “It allows me to be able to serve as an example to other people who want to engage in civil rights work, to show them that they too can be successful in this field.”