Awanna Scott

Sponsored by RebuttalPR

Let's start from the beginning. How did you get into law, and what drew you to the plaintiff side specifically?

I've always wanted to help people. Growing up in Oakland, California, I initially wanted to be a pediatrician. However, as a young Black girl, it was a bit more difficult to pursue that path. My grandmother, one of the original Black Panthers, always emphasized the importance of education and community—looking out for those around you. She repeatedly told me I’d make a great attorney, but I resisted, sticking to my dream of becoming a pediatrician. Looking back, I realize I should have listened to her. If it weren’t for her guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I've always loved helping others, especially advocating for those who don’t have a voice, particularly in the Black and brown communities where trust is hard to find. I wanted to be that trusted advocate.

Can you tell us about what initially drew you to plaintiff-side litigation, and what makes it different for you compared to defense work?

It was always the plaintiff side for me. Like I said, I’ve always wanted to help the "little guy," not big corporations or other firms. The plaintiff side just spoke to me. Early on in law school, one of the top attorneys from a well-known firm in Birmingham approached me. He’d get his prescriptions filled at the pharmacy where I worked, so I’d be studying while working, and one day he asked what I was doing there. He told me I should come work for his law firm, and I was like, “Okay, sure.” He ended up poaching me, and I started working at a plaintiff’s law firm here. From then on, I loved it. It felt like I was still helping people in the way I wanted to.

What inspired you to leave and start your own practice?

It was a bit difficult, as I started there, so it felt like being a little bird leaving the nest. But being one of only two Black female attorneys in a firm with over a hundred attorneys made it even more challenging. The struggles became even more evident after I had a child. Corporate firms especially don’t offer much understanding when it comes to balancing work and family life. It just wasn’t working out, so I decided it was time to branch out on my own, where I could build my practice, have more freedom, and take control of my situation.

As for the transition, it’s still a work in progress. I do have the support of my previous assistant, which has helped, especially with things like setting up the office infrastructure—computers, printers, etc. But managing the business side, like accounting and payroll, has been more challenging. However, since I was an independent contractor before, it made the shift a bit easier.

One of the biggest surprises has been how the cases don’t just keep coming—you really have to work for them. It's a "you eat what you kill" situation, so I’ve had to hustle and network more. At the firm, I was somewhat shielded from that aspect, but now I’m the one out there, and people see me, not someone else. It's both a blessing and a curse, but I’m learning to embrace it. The biggest surprise? When people call in expecting to work with a partner, and then they realize, "Oh, it’s you!"

Can you recall your first big case or a significant case that stands out to you? How did it impact you professionally?

I’ve had a few memorable experiences, but one that stands out is my first bench trial. It was a slip-and-fall case in a very conservative county, and my client, an African American woman, was in a tough position. The case took a turn when the defense came in with a second offer. My client rejected it; she didn’t want to settle and just wanted someone to fight for her and let her tell her story. She wanted to be heard. I was glad to be there for her, allowing her to testify in the bench trial, which was less formal.

We ended up losing the case, but when I called to inform her, she said, “It wasn’t about the money for me. Even though offers were on the table, it was about having someone fight for me, not forcing me into a settlement without telling my story and feeling like justice was served.” She didn’t get any financial compensation, but she was happy with the outcome.

Another case I worked on involved a single mother who had been in a crash. She didn’t have transportation, and there was no one to help her get around or take her kids to school. I could relate because it reminded me of my mom, who always worked multiple jobs to take care of us. This woman had two jobs, but with no car, she was in a tough spot. I wished I could help more, like give her my car or take her kids to school. Fortunately, we were able to close the case for her and secure a positive result, which she didn’t expect, especially in such a timely manner. Insurance companies can be difficult, but we got the results she needed, which was life-changing for her and her children. I was happy she could focus on taking care of her kids and getting back to normal.

Are you the first lawyer in your family? What has that journey been like for you?

It's been great. People often call and ask for help with various things, and I have to laugh because my family is all in California, so I honestly have no idea how to help sometimes. But it's fun. Wearing this hat feels fulfilling, especially knowing how hard my grandmother and mom worked to get me here. Being able to say that and hearing them say their daughter or granddaughter is a lawyer—it’s truly special.

Are you finding any challenges when entering systems with many lawyers and established communities? It can be a lot of pressure being one among many.

There are definitely times when I walk into a place and feel out of place, surrounded by all these suits, especially in smaller, rural communities. You walk into a courtroom, and everyone knows each other, and I think, "Okay, I need to make some connections." Some counties do things a certain way, and if you're not familiar with that, it's important to ask or reach out. I've always been pretty social and open to meeting new people. I'll introduce myself and ask questions like, "Hey, how do you handle this?" or "What's going on with that?" so I haven’t had too many issues with that. But it’s still tough walking in as the new, younger lawyer—even though I’m older in age, I’m still new to this career. In my previous firm, I had the support of a name behind me, and I could ask another attorney to go to court with me if needed. It looked different.

Building trust with plaintiffs and the community is crucial. In our line of work, we often deal with people facing some of the hardest days of their lives. How do you earn their trust and ensure they feel confident in you to handle their cases?

It’s definitely intimidating, especially since I originally wanted to be a doctor, like a pediatrician or pharmacist. I always thought those were the people who had people's lives in their hands, physically. But now I realize this is even more serious; it’s way bigger than that. So from the very first conversation with our clients, I try to be real, honest, and relatable. I let them know that I’m not like the big firms. Yes, I’ve worked at one, but I’m different. I tell them I’m like a small, family-owned restaurant—small but always serving great food and offering excellent service. That’s how I am. I want them to know we’re in this together. I tell them, “This is your case, and we’re going to work on it together. You’re not alone in this.” I emphasize open communication. I make sure they know they can reach out to me anytime—texts, calls, emails, whatever works for them. Even on weekends, if something comes up, I reassure them it’s all good because they’re real people with real problems, and I treat them as such.

Did you have any mentors who helped guide you into this field, or were you navigating it on your own?

My mentors have had a deep impact on me, beginning with my mother and grandmother. Later, after meeting my husband, he encouraged me to explore the legal field and introduced me to his network of attorney friends, which helped solidify my path.

Professionally, the person I consider my greatest mentor is April Collins. She may not view herself that way, but I certainly do. April has played a pivotal role in my journey as a solo practitioner. Interestingly, when I decided to branch out on my own, two doctors I had worked with at my previous firm (completely independently) suggested I reach out to her. When we finally met, it felt like we had known each other for years.

What inspires me most is her growth and the openness with which she shares her journey. She’s honest, generous with her time and advice, and genuinely invested in helping others succeed. Her support has been invaluable. In fact, we now collaborate often, and every once in a while, she even calls me with a question, which always gives me a boost, since I’m usually the one seeking her guidance.

She has been a major influence on my professional path, and I’m deeply grateful for her mentorship and friendship.

Transitioning from a firm to solo practice can be challenging, especially as a female attorney. Have you faced any challenges or been overlooked because of your gender or race? How have you navigated these obstacles?

It's definitely a different experience when you walk into a place and people ask, "Are you the legal assistant, the paralegal, or the stenographer?" and you have to explain, "No, I'm the attorney." It can be funny at times. Or when they confuse you with another female attorney, and you have to correct them. But I just remind myself to keep pushing forward. I have to be true to myself, not shrink, and push through. I'm not afraid to hear "no." It's all about knowing what you need and being able to ask for it. For my clients, I’ll step up and fight for them before I’ll do it for myself. That’s just how I approach it.

Do you see any improvements in how women attorneys are treated, or is it still about pushing through and navigating the same barriers?

It’s definitely something that changes depending on where you are, but I’ll say when I worked at that big law firm as a legal assistant, I constantly had to fight for my pay. I knew a male legal assistant doing the same job was making more and getting more opportunities. He got to go to court, handle cases with senior attorneys, while I was overlooked, even though I had been there for about 10 years. He had just started and was making significantly more than me.

When I eventually became an attorney there, I was told, “It’s not because you're a woman or Black; it’s just how things are moving forward.” For them to say that made me feel like that was the real issue. This was back in 2019. I’ve also had cases taken away from me—referral cases I brought in, given to a senior male attorney who was supposed to work with me, but that never happened.

How did you handle those situations, especially while balancing your responsibilities to your team and personal life?

It was presented to me like, "You don’t have to do anything on this case, and you’ll still get paid." It felt like a "whatever" attitude, or they’d say, "I’ll send you three more good cases," but those never materialized. It seemed like if I just kept my head down and stayed quiet, I could get by. But it wasn’t just about me—I had my assistant to think about too. If I wasn’t there, who was going to look out for her, especially with her having kids and a family to care for? Around that time, I had a newborn, and I had to take time off work for every illness kids get in daycare. It was constant. Even when I did take time off, I’d still come back to work or work from home at night, but no one saw that. So, it became this odd situation where people would say, "You take off a lot," and I’d try to explain that it wasn’t the issue. Navigating all of that was challenging.

How are you balancing work and life, especially with a child and starting a new firm? Any tips or tricks you can share for managing it all?

It’s hard to be intentional with time when life happens. But I love that I have control over my schedule, and I can still prioritize my family. For example, my son’s school is close to my office, so I can easily check on him or pick him up if needed. He’ll be 4 on the 16th—he’s a little monster! But having the ability to walk over to his school and be there for him is a huge plus. His school has cameras, and I have his teacher’s phone number, so I can always check in if something seems off.

My husband is also a big support. He’s always there when I need him, though I have a hard time relinquishing duties. You know how the saying goes: “If you want something done, you have to do it yourself.” But he’s super supportive, and he was one of the key people who encouraged me to step out on my own and start my practice. He told me that 40% of your cases in a firm come from referrals, from people you know, and relationships you’ve built. That really pushed me to take the leap, and it’s been the best decision I’ve made.

Sarah Williams, who worked with me at my previous firm, also gave me great advice when she found out I was pregnant. She told me not to miss out on pivotal moments with my kids. She shared how, after having her daughter, she was working with her laptop in the hospital room, and it was a huge regret for her. That advice stuck with me—it helped me learn how to prioritize family while still giving 100% to my clients when I’m at the office.

I also love staying connected with my clients, getting to know them outside of just the work. One client of mine loves gardening, so on nice days, I’ll text her something random like, “I know you’re out there in that garden—what’s blooming today?” It’s little things like that, and I try to do it whenever I can.

What are you most passionate about, and what motivates you to keep going, especially when this work can be emotionally and mentally taxing? What drives you to keep fighting the good fight?

My son is number one—he’s my little motivator. I’m passionate about getting results and making my clients happy, leaving a good impression, and being real, relatable, and cool. I don’t want to just be a talking head; I want my clients to know I’m here for them, and that we’re in this together. Seeing their smiles or reading the positive Google reviews they leave helps keep me going. There are times when I wonder if I’m fit for this—whether I should find another job at a large firm—but in those moments, I lean on my family and partner for support.

What advice would you give to female attorneys who are either starting their own firm or navigating the legal field?

I always tell myself to be myself, and that's number one—don't doubt yourself. In a room full of big firms and high-powered individuals, don’t shrink. Set boundaries early, and know your worth. As long as you have that mix, you'll be fine. Do what you love and are passionate about. If you're not passionate about plaintiff's work, it’s not going to be enjoyable. I believe in making the work fun. Even though the cases, like car accidents and wrecks, can be serious, the goal is to make clients happy and feel good about what you do. At the end of the day, that's what matters.

As for groups like the Society of Women Trial Lawyers, they’ve been incredibly helpful in my career and professional development. Even though I don't consider myself a trial lawyer yet, I'm proud to be part of this community. The support is invaluable. I can reach out to some of the top female lawyers in the country and get advice from their experience. That’s something I find invaluable. This will be my third conference, and every time I leave, my confidence gets a boost. The monthly meetups and connections throughout the year are great for knowing I have the support of colleagues and fellow women.

There are times when I wonder if I'm enough, but the confidence boost I get from these conferences is amazing. I hear other women share similar struggles, which makes me feel understood. We openly talk about issues like money, and it’s so helpful. I can’t imagine how far I’d be without this support. April introduced me to it, and if she’s involved, I knew it had to be great. It’s empowering to be part of a group of powerhouse women, and the casual business environment is refreshing too. Seeing top attorneys in jeans or shorts makes it feel real and down-to-earth. I really appreciate that.

You’ve mentioned getting most clients through referrals. With the rise of social media, how are you adapting to reach new clients and build trust in today’s media landscape?

I’m just starting out and building my social media presence. I’m not very confident on camera, and I don’t love hearing my voice, so putting myself out there is a bit tough for me. But in the future, I want to educate people, especially potential clients, about things like accidents. Many people have never been in an accident or had a slip-and-fall situation, so I want to give them tips on what to do—like taking pictures, documenting everything, and being prepared. I want to share that kind of information and be involved with the community. If I can, I’d also love to mentor in the future, especially online.

For me, it’s about building trust and showing authenticity — I’m not always in a suit or a dress. Most days, I’m working alone in the office, so I keep it casual, often wearing a T-shirt (usually my law firm swag). My focus is on working hard for my clients, not on looking “put together” every day. It’s not about appearances; it’s about doing the work and delivering results.

What would you say are your biggest accomplishments and what are you most proud of in your career so far?

Starting my own firm and building it from the ground up has been incredible. It's still a work in progress, but owning my own law firm is surreal. When I tell people I have my own firm, it feels amazing—especially when I hear my mom say, "She has her own law firm." I never imagined that for myself, but now that I'm leading it, it makes me feel really proud.

What do your future goals look like?

Since I’m still a small firm, I’d like to hire more people, especially law students. They have the same drive I had, that unique energy. It’s really inspiring to have that kind of energy in the office, and I’d enjoy being someone they can lean on or ask questions, especially when it comes to preparing for the bar exam. I look forward to that as part of my growth. As for marketing, I’m not interested in billboards, but I do see myself building a stronger presence on social media. Of course, I need to focus on growing my team first.

What advice do you have for upcoming female lawyers?

One thing I always tell up-and-coming female attorneys is to bet on yourself. It's something I strongly believe in. Trusting the process can be really hard, but you have to trust that you can do it. You're always going to win if you believe in yourself.